beach help please

[alert]

I am looking for a clean, quiet beach where one can do a bit of snorkeling from shore (will be bringing my own equipment). I prefer a beach that is not too far from the pier to minimize travel time and travel cost.


Please give me some recommendations.


Thanks

[138east]

In all the posts about St.Martin, I have not seen any discussions about snorkeling from the beach. I'm not saying it doesn't exist somewhere on the island, but if it does, it's not being discussed. The closest beach to the pier is the downtown beach in Phillipsburg. You can take the water taxi, a cab, or even walk it, so your costs would be $6, $8-10, or free.

[gtaylor]

Originally Posted by 138east

In all the posts about St.Martin, I have not seen any discussions about snorkeling from the beach. <snip>

Wow.

Thare are numerous discussions of beach snorkeling on this board, regularly.

St. Maarten is not known for fantastic snorkeling, but fair to good snorkeling is available at a number of beaches around the island, and if you search, you will find many posts on this board discussing the sites.

I will post a few recommendations here:

Divi Little Bay has acceptable snorkeling off to the left, facing the water. That's where the Tiki Hut Snorkel Excursion lives.

Mullet Bay Beach has acceptable snorkeling off to the left along the rocks.

Baie Rouge has good snorkeling off to the right, along the rocks, but be careful if the waves are up.

Grand Case Beach Club offers snorkeling by kayak out to Creole Rock (best snorkeling on the island) if that counts as 'beach snorkeling'.

Pinel Island offers some snorkeling if including a 5 minute ferry ride counts as beach snorkeling.

On Orient Beach, there is acceptable snorkeling along the reefs (actually rock formations) angling out to the right from Pedro's and across in front of Club Orient.

le Galion has some snorkeling at the far left of the beach, along the rocks.

Dawn Beach has some good snorkeling along the reefs closest to Busby's - away from the Westin - if the waves coming in from the Atlantic aren't too strong.

gary