Libbiroed

Thank you! This is helpful information! 

On 10/18/2018 at 6:20 AM, Brandis said:

We usually take the public bus (small Toyota vans) from Philipsburg to Maho Beach.

This time, we would like to go to Marigot later in the day. Are there buses to Marigot passing Maho Beach or would I have to backtrack a bit in a bus to Philipsburg and change busses somewhere?

Can I ask where in Philipsburg you catch the bus? Like street or area? I haven't seen anything specific for where to catch it.

On 3/2/2019 at 9:06 PM, RMH said:

That is pretty much our itinerary every time we stop in St Maarten and it is usually the best day of the cruise.  Mullet Bay is beautiful, not crowded, and very laid back.  They do not have any fancy restaurants or day passes, so if that is what you are looking for, it may not work.  We typically take the bus from Philipsburg ($2 a person) to Mullet Bay.  The buses are all marked and easy to catch.  You pay when you exit.  Cabs are just as easy to catch, and you can get them from to port if you do not want to go into Philipsburg - but I don't know the cost.  After swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying Mullet Bay in the AM, we walk over to Maho beach - which is the next beach over - in the early afternoon when the big planes from the US and Europe start to arrive and depart.  It is an easy 15-minute walk through the golf course and the small town of Maho.  The planes are very cool and always a highlight.  Just don't set up on the beach directly across from the runway or the jet blast will blow all your stuff into the water when they take off.  After you have your fill of planes, it is easy to catch a cab or a bus at the roundabout back to Philipsburg.  Great day and if you bring your own food the total cost is about $9 for the bus and a beach chair.  Not too bad.

Where do you catch the bus from in Philipsburg? I would love to take the bus but have not seen the street/area that you catch the buses at.

Hi everyone!

We love taking the local bus when we are in port. I saw that there was a bus from Philipsburg to Mullet Bay but I can't seem to find information of where you get on the bus and where you get off. Does anyone have the street you catch the bus from by the Cruise Port? Can you go right to Mullet Bay or does it go to Maho Beach and you can walk to Mullet Bay? Any specific infromation would be great. Otherwise I saw a group taxi is 6pp, which is better than $25 one way that I saw for a private taxi. 

On 8/8/2019 at 5:27 PM, blue_water said:

Ok, unless you want to take the time to rent a Jeep and drive to Smuggler’s Cove, Brewers is your best option. Second most popular beach for cruisers, easy 8pp shared safari taxi with a beach bar, but still much less crowded than CGB and a nicer beach with snorkeling...

 

And for a less crowded beach and possibly some snorkeling, Long Bay, West End is a beautiful long, picture postcard beach actually pictured in several mags (as is Smuggler’s). LB should be less crowded, and unsure about snorkeling but I know it is rockier to the left and center as you face the water. Great views and diving pelicans here...There is a Tropical Fusion restaurant nearby that opens ~11, and you will see a small store as your taxi passes Sebastian’s restaurant and hotel before going over the knoll to LB. So in case you can’t get a taxi back from Long Bay for some reason, you can walk over the knoll back to the store to call a driver, one actually lives right nearby. Probably $12pp taxi to LB...

 

Smuggler’s is a short drive on an unpaved road past Long Bay and it’s been awhile since I’ve driven t it but guessing 2 - 3 km...not sure if any drivers will take you and return for you...But our favorite gorgeous and uncrowded beach with decent snorkeling and probably Nigel selling cold beer and grilling...

 

You sound like us and I’ll vote for Smuggler’s. Let us know what you enjoyed!

 

 

What is the shore break like at Brewers vs CGB? I feel like from the pics I’ve see of both, CGB looks calmer and almost no shore break waves and Brewers has a bit more of a shore break when entering the water? Or maybe it’s just the day someone goes and shares their pics. 

On 8/10/2019 at 2:26 PM, blue_water said:

Same as CGB, $8pp each way via shared safari taxi.

Can’t help with the lounges/umbrellas.

Nicole’s is the only beach bar, they were just serving drinks until recently when the kitchen was reopened so now food and drinks are available.

 

Nice change from CGB...

How is the water at brewers? From the pictures I’ve seen it looks like the shore break is wavier than CGB?

Hi!

We will be cruising on the Costa Magica out of Guadeloupe on Dec 20, 2019. We were on the Costa Fortuna in 2008 and quite enjoyed it. I love Italian food. If anyone has reviews for the Magica, I would be interested in hearing about it. Do they charge for water for ice tea/juice that is usually free on the other lines?

I haven't been on Costa since 2008. Since you've been on a few, do they charge for water? I don't remember that from 2008. I know any cruise lines have water and some type of juice or ice tea available at all times. Does Costa not do this?

I’m interested in going on the Star Clipper and saw the description for how meals work but was wondering if anyone has specific examples of what is served at lunch and dinner? 

On 11/25/2018 at 2:51 PM, Hlitner said:

We have gone to Darkwood many times and its never too crowded.  The down side is that its a pretty long bus ride (we take the public bus).  Most cruisers prefer to go to other more popular beaches like Dickinson (we also like this beach).  The main reason we have gone to Darkwood is that there is an area with some snorkeling on the left side of the beach.  But the last few times we snorkeled the water was just too cloudy (the wave action kicks up sand).  Anitigua did not suffer much damage from last years Hurricane.  Locals will tell you the island was truly blessed as nearby Barbuda got hit pretty hard.

 

Hank

Interested in Darkwood but Dickinson sounds good too. Is Darkwood less busy and commercial? Looking for a quieter beach and don't require amenities. I enjoy calmer water and no huge drops into the water. 

Hi!

Hoping Drake sees this. Going to St Croix in late December and am wondering how the beaches have recovered after the Hurricanes last fall. I love calm beaches-possibly a bay of some sort- hoping on the Caribbean Sea side. I also love beach combing for sea glass and sea shells if there are any good beaches in St Croix for that!

Thanks! Can’t wait to explore more Caribbean beaches.

We’re going with Adventure Antigua and doing the Eco tour. They have a video on their website and it looked fun! But I think at the other ports we will just enjoy the beaches.

Hi Libbiroed!

 

Nice to hear from someone who is going to be on the same cruise as us! Perhaps we can combine efforts on finding the best beaches and snorkeling. We are a party of 5 and are into going to the nicest beaches that are free or low cost snorkeling. I am new to cruising and also new to Cruise Critic and not sure how to contact you privately. Perhaps we can connect and share beach and snorkeling info. I have been researching beaches and have an idea of what would be good, but you never know until you get there!

:)

There’s 10 of us total although I think we’ll be breaking off and doing things on our own. We just booked a snorkeling tour in Antigua. It looks fun! I’m also looking at Cable Beach and Saunders Beach in Nassau. I read on another thread St Kitts isn’t a great beach location. Rocky beaches and murky water? If you know something else I’d also love info!

My cruise is dec. 17-26. I will let you know how the full face snorkel works out. I ordered it from Amazon and it has a fold down top for easy travel and you can attach a go pro on it.

We’re on the same cruise! We’re also trying to find the best places to snorkel and best beaches.