Beaches near port - St. Maarten and St. Kitts?

We are taking the Eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Sunshine this summer and I am wondering what the beach situation is near the ports in St. Maarten and St. Kits. I would like to do an excursion, but still have some beach or shopping time after. Several of the excursions we are looking at are on the shorter side.

Thanks!

I cant answer your specific nearby beach question but last year in St Maarten we used Bernards Tours and had a great time. Saw both sides of the island (French & Dutch), stopped a couple hours at Orient Beach which was beautiful and then another stop at Maho Beach to see the planes come in. This along with scenic picture stops, lots of info during the tour and a stop in Marigot for shopping and french pastries at Sarafinas.

Tour had free beverages (alcoholic and non). If you do happen to look into it, request Mailman as your guide, did a great job for us.

Don't remember any beaches close to pier in St Kitts but beach and shopping within 20 minute walk or take water ferry from dock in St. Maarten. You will see it when docked.

We are taking the Eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Sunshine this summer and I am wondering what the beach situation is near the ports in St. Maarten and St. Kits. I would like to do an excursion, but still have some beach or shopping time after. Several of the excursions we are looking at are on the shorter side.

 

Thanks!

Just FYI.....the beach in St Martin that you can see from where you dock is commonly known to be polluted from run off.

Go to the Port of Call section under St Martin and do a search for Great Bay Beach. The local people do not swim there, nor let their children swim there for that reason.

That being said, you will see a lot of cruise ship passengers there because it is popular since it is so close to the dock.

I have to second the reference to Bernard's Tours in St. Maartin. We used them last November and they were wonderful. Got to see the island, stopped at two beaches, one long enough to snorkel. See the planes land at Maho beach, and still time to shop if you wanted. Not that expensive, but a lot included. We would use them again if we go back. :D

I had not heard anything about the water quality on the beach near the post at St. Maarten :eek: The closet beach for St Kitt's I think is Timothy beach which is fairly steep, good surf and a bit rocky. Further out is a much better beach Raegae Beach where one can see Nevis (I think?).

I had not heard anything about the water quality on the beach near the post at St. Maarten :eek: The closet beach for St Kitt's I think is Timothy beach which is fairly steep, good surf and a bit rocky. Further out is a much better beach Raegae Beach where one can see Nevis (I think?).

There are two locals on this board (St Martin), who have commented on it quite often over the past several years.

Because they are long time posters I tend to accept this as credible information.

I wish it wasn't true because that beach is definitely the closest and most convenient to the ship, but for me personally I won't risk it with my family.

Happy Sailing....

There are two locals on this board (St Martin), who have commented on it quite often over the past several years.

 

 

 

Because they are long time posters I tend to accept this as credible information.

 

 

 

I wish it wasn't true because that beach is definitely the closest and most convenient to the ship, but for me personally I won't risk it with my family.

 

 

 

Happy Sailing....

Wow, was not doubting you, just had not seen it before.

Very plausible, as the ships dock "right there," as well as the smaller local boats.

That being said, that particular beach is fine for casual sunbathing. There was a hotel (name escapes me, but I'm sure someone will mention it) that would sell a guest day-pass for about $25US or so if you just wanted to use their public facilities and lounge chairs.

Been there multiple times never had a problem with the water.

Little Bay is only a 10 minute taxi ride from the pier and its a nice beach for a couple of hours. The water always has tested well and the scenery is lovely. I'm going to try paddle boarding there myself when I vacation on the island in May.

St kitts actually has very few beaches. We went to friars bay first time there....not impressed.

Second time we went to the marriott hotel and casino. Didn't have any issue not beings guests and its a short easy cab ride. We ate lunch and bought drinks there so they got some business from us. Very nice beach and pool and we spotted many other "cruise ship" towels there too.

I would highly recommend that location on st kitts.

St Maarten town beach is fantastic for atmosphere and value but you must see the planes at Maho if its your first time there. One of the coolest spots on the planet.

I cant answer your specific nearby beach question but last year in St Maarten we used Bernards Tours and had a great time. Saw both sides of the island (French & Dutch), stopped a couple hours at Orient Beach which was beautiful and then another stop at Maho Beach to see the planes come in. This along with scenic picture stops, lots of info during the tour and a stop in Marigot for shopping and french pastries at Sarafinas.

 

Tour had free beverages (alcoholic and non). If you do happen to look into it, request Mailman as your guide, did a great job for us.

Going to St Maarten on Carnival Liberty. Is Bernards tours one of the ships excursions or can you book it yourself Thanks.

On your own just Google Bernard's tours.

We are taking the Eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Sunshine this summer and I am wondering what the beach situation is near the ports in St. Maarten and St. Kits. I would like to do an excursion, but still have some beach or shopping time after. Several of the excursions we are looking at are on the shorter side.

 

Thanks!

In St. Kitts, we did a tour with Thenford Grey which included a tour of the Capital City and a beach of our choice which was Carambola, more of an upscale beach, Others on the tour went to Cockleshell. Tour guide promptly picked us up on time. Had a over an hour to shop at the pier after this excursion. They are highly recommended on Trip Advisor.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147375-d1639418-Reviews-Grey_s_Island_Excursions-Basseterre_St_Kitts_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html

In St Maarten, we do Bernard's.

Hello

We're going to both stops in June. We've never been to St Kitts but have been to St Maarten. WE LOVED ST MAARTEN!!! We went to the beach near the point via water taxi, which was cheap. Water was crystal clear day we were there and tons of people in the water. We spent the whole day there. This was last July 2014 and we had our teenage kids with us who loved the stop as well.

If you go to the local beach near the port you'll encounter a lot of people, primarily restaurant employees wanting you to rent and sit at their beach chairs and umbrellas. They all charge different fees. That being said based on our own experience in St Maarten, we recommend the "Blue Bitch", (don't let the name scare you off), it's a restaurant/bar right on the beach. ASK FOR KENDALL, nicest local we've ever met at any spot we've traveled to. He set us up on the beach with chairs, umbrellas, drinks, great deal on jet skiing and great deal on food which they brought to us on the beach. It was a great family day with our kids and we felt very comfortable the entire day. Only complaint was when it was time to get back onboard, because we would have liked more time there. If you're not wanting to travel too far from the ship, this was a great experience for us!