Local Beaches on Antiqua, St Kitts, and Bonaire

We are sailing on the 10/26/17 Regal Princess out of Brooklyn with our three under six grandchildren and their parents.

They all love the beach and the sand. All of the tours seem quite expensive.

Can anyone who has visited any or all of these ports recommend nearby beaches from the ports that are an inexpensive cab ride away that have toilets?

Thank you

Howard

yes, please check out Caribbean Destinations boards for each location.

Luc (Lac) Bay in Bonaire was perfect for our 5 yo.

The Caribbean Ports boards are here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

Valley Church beach in Antigua is my personal favorite.

We are sailing on the 10/26/17 Regal Princess out of Brooklyn with our three under six grandchildren and their parents.

They all love the beach and the sand. All of the tours seem quite expensive.

Can anyone who has visited any or all of these ports recommend nearby beaches from the ports that are an inexpensive cab ride away that have toilets?

 

Thank you

 

Howard

Hi Howard,

We are sailing on the Summit in a few days. I did some research and at St Kitts we will be taking a taxi to ShipWreck Beach. You may need a couple of cabs unless you can find a couple of vans. There is also the busses that you can take. There are chairs with shade and a small place to eat. I hear there are also monkeys to watch.

https://shipwreckstkitts.com/2017/10/12/we-are-open/

In Antiqua we are going to Darkwood Beach

http://www.antigua-barbuda.org/Agbeach1.htm

Hope the links help.

We certainly would not be taking a group of small children to Shipwreck (South Friars Bay). Shipwreck is a nice bar/cafe but their beach has all but disappeared (in the past few years) due to erosion. What is left is a bit steep and I don't think its a place I would want to have little ones. And we have seen many sea urchins (some in the very shallow areas) which is not where you want to be walking with young kids. As to Bonaire, this is a terrific island for those who want to try drift snorkeling (off a boat) but the beaches are nothing to write home about. Probably the best bet for a beach day is on Antigua where there are many good beach options.

Hank

We are sailing on the 10/26/17 Regal Princess out of Brooklyn with our three under six grandchildren and their parents.

 

They all love the beach and the sand. All of the tours seem quite expensive.

 

Can anyone who has visited any or all of these ports recommend nearby beaches from the ports that are an inexpensive cab ride away that have toilets?

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

 

Howard

For Antigua

Head to Dickenson Bay just outside the Halcyon Cove hotel. Beautiful beach and probably one of the closest to the port. The Halcyon Cove may do day passes - you could mail them to ask. Alternatively, they do have a bar near the beach and I am sure if you buy a few drinks you could use the washrooms

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We are on your sailing :)

In St. Kitts we are headed to the St. Kitts Marriott

35pp resort pass for the day. I am not sure about the charge for little ones.

There is also a casino there.

Beautiful pool and beach. You just need to bring a towel.

Here is the number to call for information

1-866-847-1139

Don't forget Halloween costumes! Huge party onboard.

As to Bonaire, this is a terrific island for those who want to try drift snorkeling (off a boat) but the beaches are nothing to write home about.

We spent around 5 hours in the water with our 5 yo. Just floating around, walking to the wooden platform in the middle of the bay and back - it's waist deep for a mile or more. It was the best water day ever. Other people windsurfed in the bay. Not much snorkeling there - no sea life to speak of that we saw. You have to go to Klein Bonaire island for snorkeling.

The beach itself wasn't anything - it was a tiny strip of sandy land, but we did get there early enough to get a lounger in the shade. I was pretty upset about the beach part until we saw the bay. Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh....

We want to go back.

Kiddo did manage to play with some sand on the beach, while we took a break from floating. He also loved seeing the tame iguanas and taking pics with them.

There was a bar on the beach, and lots of people were enjoying it.

We are on your sailing :)

In St. Kitts we are headed to the St. Kitts Marriott

35pp resort pass for the day. I am not sure about the charge for little ones.

There is also a casino there.

Beautiful pool and beach. You just need to bring a towel.

Here is the number to call for information

1-866-847-1139

Don't forget Halloween costumes! Huge party onboard.

According the Marriott's web site the day passes are now $59. Since their web site does not say whether that is EC dollars (which would be equal to about $22 US) we assume it is US Dollars. It also says that children under 12 are free. They do sell out some days, so folks have told us its wise to book ahead. This is probably the best option for little ones...since you have the facilities (including nice bathrooms) and the pools. The Marriott also has a beach (we were there a few years ago) which is OK (or not) depending on sea conditions and whether the water is clean or full of seaweed (this changes with the tides and storms).

Hank

Here is another vote for Valley Church Beach in Antigua. I believe (based on questionable memory) the taxi fare is $8 per person each way. Nice beach, place to grab a drink or use facilities, etc.

According the Marriott's web site the day passes are now $59. Since their web site does not say whether that is EC dollars (which would be equal to about $22 US) we assume it is US Dollars. It also says that children under 12 are free. They do sell out some days, so folks have told us its wise to book ahead. This is probably the best option for little ones...since you have the facilities (including nice bathrooms) and the pools. The Marriott also has a beach (we were there a few years ago) which is OK (or not) depending on sea conditions and whether the water is clean or full of seaweed (this changes with the tides and storms).

 

Hank

When we first called they quoted 35

When I called back to book I mentioned I had called and was quoted 35 and they were good with that. They were very nice :)

We have been to Carambola Beach Club in St. Kitts twice, with another visit planned for this coming March. It is a short walk to the Shipwreck Bar for a great lunch or you can eat at Carambola's restaurant. I believe it was just $4/pp each way in a van that met us at the pier. You can also rent chairs and/or umbrellas. Nice, clean facilities.

Valley Church beach in Antigua is my personal favorite.

Another vote for Valley Church! It's my favourite beach out of all the islands we've visited.

Thank you all for your suggestions

Howard

Good info..we have same questions, so I hope more suggestions are coming😎😎

Good info..we have same questions, so I hope more suggestions are coming😎😎

just go to the board dedicated solely to the discussion of a particular location.

Here is another vote for Valley Church Beach in Antigua. I believe (based on questionable memory) the taxi fare is $8 per person each way. Nice beach, place to grab a drink or use facilities, etc.

Just back from our stop in Antiqua, did not get off but a couple we met said Valley Church beach was very clouded not the usual clear & he got bit by something. We figured the hurricane may have churned the water & will be awhile to clear up.

Here is another vote for the following beaches:

Antigua:

Valley Church Beach

St.Kitts:

Carambola Beach Club

You may want to consider Cockleshell Beach at the end of the island and a wonderful view of Nevis.

We are on your sailing :)

In St. Kitts we are headed to the St. Kitts Marriott

35pp resort pass for the day. I am not sure about the charge for little ones.

There is also a casino there.

Beautiful pool and beach. You just need to bring a towel.

Here is the number to call for information

1-866-847-1139

Don't forget Halloween costumes! Huge party onboard.

How do you find the info on there day pass on there web site. Can you provide a link?

Thanks!

Tom😎

How do you find the info on there day pass on there web site. Can you provide a link?

Thanks!

Tom😎

Read this article. Info is at the bottom on how to reserve, https://thevacationgals.com/a-day-pass-st-kitts-marriott-resort/

I was in Antigua this past march....and the water was not calm by no means...very rough...and alot of waves....I tried going in got knocked over, and very hard to get up....we were at Pirates Cove Beach....before getting in a cab, i would ask around about which beaches have calm waters.

In Antigua, Dickinson Bay Beach is great and has lots of access points and restaurants. In St. Kitts, we’ve only taken excursions. In Bonaire, we took a water taxi to Klein Bonaire, but there are NO bathrooms there for sure.

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