AshleyDillo Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 I agree with @KLA. Great Bay beach is an inexpensive way to do a DIY beach day in St. Maarten. You can buy a single trip on the water taxi to get over to the dock there or you can buy the wristband for unlimited rides back and forth. You can also walk there along the main road. It's about maybe a 15-20 minute walk. There are restaurants and places that line the main boardwalk that runs along the beach. They all offer different specials and will sell you chairs and umbrellas, drinks and food. One block up parallel to the main beach front road is where most of the local shopping area is located. If you go out to Maho Beach you are really stuck with only the Sunset Bar right there and things are priced there because they recognize that. I don't think they even offers chairs and umbrellas because the blast from the airplanes would send them flying! Shay and Pooch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 This sounds perfect to me! Hubby & I like to walk so a 15-20 minute walk is great. Beach, restaurants, an area to do some local browsing & I am a happy camper! Thanks for the tip! WAAAYTOOO and KLA 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 14 Author Report Share Posted January 14 7 hours ago, Shay said: Do you all have a preference of the two: Maho Beach vs Great Bay Beach? I'm looking for a low cost beach excursion that included a complimentary beach chair and access to purchase local foods Thanks Maho is more about watching the planes, not so much about enjoying the beach. Shay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 3 hours ago, BrianAlt said: Maho is more about watching the planes, not so much about enjoying the beach Amen! BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafarer Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 21 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: I agree with @KLA. Great Bay beach is an inexpensive way to do a DIY beach day in St. Maarten. You can buy a single trip on the water taxi to get over to the dock there or you can buy the wristband for unlimited rides back and forth. You can also walk there along the main road. It's about maybe a 15-20 minute walk. There are restaurants and places that line the main boardwalk that runs along the beach. They all offer different specials and will sell you chairs and umbrellas, drinks and food. One block up parallel to the main beach front road is where most of the local shopping area is located. If you go out to Maho Beach you are really stuck with only the Sunset Bar right there and things are priced there because they recognize that. I don't think they even offers chairs and umbrellas because the blast from the airplanes would send them flying! My son and I rented beach chairs and an umbrella from SB in May 2019. They set them up next to the bar. The only thing getting knocked around from the jet blasts are the knuckleheads who grab on to the chain link fence and get slammed onto the road. Pooch and AshleyDillo 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fa-li Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 We plan to do the art walk when we’re there https://bethechangesxm.com/colormesxm/ It’s nothing formal but seems like a fun way to wander the little downtown area. BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 We were there Dec 23/21 and did the Maho Beach Plane Spotting excursion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 How far are the water taxis from the port? Is it a short walk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 29 Author Report Share Posted January 29 23 hours ago, Shay said: How far are the water taxis from the port? Is it a short walk? The water taxi is about a 5 minute walk. Less than 10 for sure. Pooch and Shay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Steinkamp Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 On 1/11/2022 at 2:41 PM, BrianAlt said: That's on your cruise, not mine. do you know why the switch of islands was made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 I believe the problem had to do with work being done (or needing to be done) at the Antigua pier that was not going to be completed in time. Although I have heard other ships may be docking, it may be smaller ships. It was NOT covid related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaRCB Posted January 31 Report Share Posted January 31 I really enjoyed a beach called Friar's Bay Beach when I cycled around the island last week. It was on the French side kind of near Marigot, wasn't crowded, and had some food and drinks available. The water was gorgeous there! kadmgs and BrianAlt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 We've been to Maho a couple of times and I agree with all of them ^ - it's a tourist trap and crowded! The beach in the flight path is tiny and full of people. When we head to SXM next month, I think we might just hang out in Phillipsburg or grab a taxi - maybe to Orient but it's not the same as it was pre-Irma. BTW - if you're looking for a great, insightful youtube blog about St. Maarten, check out The Travelling Island Girl. I just found her last month and her vlogs are great. She also gives guided tours when she's there but I'm afraid she will be too expensive for just the two of us. Here's one of her videos: Shay, BrianAlt and USCG Teacher 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 On 1/11/2022 at 1:02 PM, BrianAlt said: Have you done it post restart? We just went out with Captain Bob’s two days ago. We had a great day and will go again the next time we are in St Maarten. There were quite a few people in the group who were repeat customers. BrianAlt and USCG Teacher 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 Thanks everyone. You’ve convinced me. I’m going to book Captain Bob’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trueblue83 Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 Delighted I read through all the posts here as think Captain Bobs tour looks like a real winner for both of us when we are there in March. Regarding Maho beach being a tourist trap, I couldn't care. It's something I always wanted to see and this will probably be my only time there in my life. Some things are inherently touristy but still worth seeing. BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 1 hour ago, trueblue83 said: Regarding Maho beach being a tourist trap, I couldn't care. It's something I always wanted to see and this will probably be my only time there in my life. Some things are inherently touristy but still worth seeing. If you've never been, it's worth it. It's fun! And the prices at the bar aren't insane. Sure, higher than other places, but not break the bank expensive. Have a snack and a couple of drinks. After all, you're on vacation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 3 hours ago, trueblue83 said: Regarding Maho beach being a tourist trap, I couldn't care. It's something I always wanted to see and this will probably be my only time there in my life. Some things are inherently touristy but still worth seeing. On our recent Captain Bob's tour, the last stop we made was offshore of Maho Beach. We watched a couple planes land and one take off. After seeing how close the jet blast actually is, I was happy to be on the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 13 Report Share Posted February 13 On 2/8/2022 at 8:00 AM, trueblue83 said: Delighted I read through all the posts here as think Captain Bobs tour looks like a real winner for both of us when we are there in March. Regarding Maho beach being a tourist trap, I couldn't care. It's something I always wanted to see and this will probably be my only time there in my life. Some things are inherently touristy but still worth seeing. Oh, I couldn't agree more - Maho is definitely a must-go place. Seeing those planes land is absolutely crazy. I guess my usage of "tourist trap" was a little harsher than I intended. What I meant was that there is a ton of people jammed on a little stretch of beach waiting for another landing, and that's okay. The people at Sunset must make a fortune! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted February 16 Report Share Posted February 16 Update Hubby and I had a great time with Bernard’s Tours today. Thanks so much for this recommendation . 14Terry, KristiZ, BrianAlt and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 15 hours ago, Shay said: Update Hubby and I had a great time with Bernard’s Tours today. Thanks so much for this recommendation . Definitely something to do at least once. We did it and then did it again the next time we were there with our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittysoul Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 On 1/14/2022 at 1:23 PM, KLA said: Just to add on further - my husband and I really enjoyed the walk from the port to the downtown beach area when we were last there. It's only about a 10 minute walk with a neat little Gouda shop along the way. So, if we want to just skip booking an excursion, we could easily just get off the ship and take a short walk to go to a beach, the restaurants and shops, then walk back to ship at our leisure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 On 2/17/2022 at 8:23 AM, BrianAlt said: Definitely something to do at least once. We did it and then did it again the next time we were there with our family. They're awesome. We've done them three times and always had fun. BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 On 2/18/2022 at 11:16 PM, kittysoul said: So, if we want to just skip booking an excursion, we could easily just get off the ship and take a short walk to go to a beach, the restaurants and shops, then walk back to ship at our leisure? Yes! While there's lots to see and do elsewhere on the island, it's also definitely a walkable port with options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 On 2/18/2022 at 11:16 PM, kittysoul said: So, if we want to just skip booking an excursion, we could easily just get off the ship and take a short walk to go to a beach, the restaurants and shops, then walk back to ship at our leisure? Absolutely. Phillipsburg is wonderful for this. You just grab the water taxi and it takes you straight to town. There are beaches to the left and right. Plenty of restaurants and bars. Beach chairs and umbrellas. Downtown P'burg is fantastic - not huge, lots of cool shops, etc. No need for an RC excursion. Remember - if you buy liquor - they will keep it, package it, and send to the ship for you. You'll get it on the last night of the cruise to pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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