Great Bay Beach

I'm looking at the RCI Great Bay Beach excursion. It's $29 and I figure we could do it for a lot less on our own. Has anyone visited the beach? What can we expect as far as a nice beach day and accommodations? We are accustomed to a day at Orient Beach. How does Great Bay compare? What is the recommended mode of transportation? Water taxi? Where can we pick this up? Any idea as to chair and umbrella rental? Good spots for lunch and drinks?

Thanks everyone. We are trying to help the St Maartin economy.

We visited St Maarten in mid-April 2018. Walk walked off the ship and took the water taxi to the beach area. Water taxi is easy to find and to the left after you enter the main cruise terminal shopping area.

You can walk from the cruise terminal to the beach but in the heat, nah, why bother? Water taxi is cheap and they sell beer onboard for $1!

There are many, many choices for chair rental and umbrella on the beach. Some included a bucket of beers. I think it was around $20 for 2 chairs & 1 umbrella. And many beach bars and restaurants.

We will be visiting the island for the first time next May. We're also considering Great Bay Beach as an easy beach day option. Is there a lot of shopping right there? Public restrooms? Do the bars / restaurants allow you to take your beer/drinks onto the beach? Are there waiters on the beach?

We will be visiting the island for the first time next May. We're also considering Great Bay Beach as an easy beach day option. Is there a lot of shopping right there? Public restrooms? Do the bars / restaurants allow you to take your beer/drinks onto the beach? Are there waiters on the beach?

YES to all of the above! :)

YES to all of the above! :)

Perfection! Thanks :cool: