Need help with planning a cruise visit.

We've been to St Maarten, but never on a cruise.

This time we are renting a car at the cruise port and intend to go to Grand Case before the excursions get there (15.500 other guests on the island on our day in port).

We want to get pastries at Sarafina's, lunch at Grand Case and have a swim for like an hour at a nice beach.

Now this is the question - WHICH beach? We have a 3 yr old, so it has to be sandy, shallow and calm. I'm hearing Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay, Baie Longue.... so now I'm confused.

Or can we just swim at Grand Case after lunch and head back to town afterwards?

Given what you say, I would suggest Petite Plage at Grand Case Beach Club - park on street - public access is past Grand Case Beach Club or Le Galion. You could just stay on Grand Case beach but I do not like it for swimming.

Friars Bay between Marigot and Grand Case might be worthy of a stop between meals. :)

I almost included Friar's in my post - but I didn't because I am not sure of the current condition of the pond there - when we do go to Friar's, we go to Friar's Bay Beach Club - although some swear by Kali's.

I almost included Friar's in my post - but I didn't because I am not sure of the current condition of the pond there - when we do go to Friar's, we go to Friar's Bay Beach Club - although some swear by Kali's.

The bar farthest from the path to Happy Bay has fantastic Pina Coladas. :)

Yeah - that's Kali's.