Beaches?!

[Newbcruiser1]

Hi everyone,

 

I'll be cruising to St Maarten for the 5th time in a couple weeks. I have always done Bernard's Tours (great way to spend the day) but this time we're looking to head to a beach. Having been to Maho and Orient multiple times, I was hoping to check out somewhere else!

 

I've heard recommendations for Little Divi, Le Gallion, Mullet Bay, Dawn Beach, etc and I'm not sure what to make of them all.

 

We'd like somewhere easy to get to (taxi cost?) with reasonably priced chairs, they MUST have umbrellas/shade, "clean" washrooms, and decent food, likely just for a snack. We don't snorkel but I would prefer somewhere with relatively calm water (Orient has always been rough when we're there) and minimal rocks/seaweed.

 

And... GO! :)

[Fouremco]

Hi everyone,

 

I'll be cruising to St Maarten for the 5th time in a couple weeks. I have always done Bernard's Tours (great way to spend the day) but this time we're looking to head to a beach. Having been to Maho and Orient multiple times, I was hoping to check out somewhere else!

 

I've heard recommendations for Little Divi, Le Gallion, Mullet Bay, Dawn Beach, etc and I'm not sure what to make of them all.

 

We'd like somewhere easy to get to (taxi cost?) with reasonably priced chairs, they MUST have umbrellas/shade, "clean" washrooms, and decent food, likely just for a snack. We don't snorkel but I would prefer somewhere with relatively calm water (Orient has always been rough when we're there) and minimal rocks/seaweed.

 

And... GO! :)

We are in a similar situation and have decided to try Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on Little Bay for a few hours before or after browsing Front Street and area. It's quick and easy to get to and has the amenities you are looking for. You might want to do a search here as there have been posts in the past about Little Bay and about Divi.

 

In the mean time, our sympathies for you and your follow Torontonians. :)

[Karysa]

We are in a similar situation and have decided to try Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on Little Bay for a few hours before or after browsing Front Street and area. It's quick and easy to get to and has the amenities you are looking for. You might want to do a search here as there have been posts in the past about Little Bay and about Divi.

 

In the mean time, our sympathies for you and your follow Torontonians. :)

 

Are you talking about the 4 year old and the 23 year old that both lost their lives today in separate traffic accidents or is this a dig at the Mayor fiasco? Really puts things into perspective doesn't it!

 

 

OP take a look at http://www.karakterbeach.com/

Edited November 20, 2013 by Karysa

[In Toronto]

Are you talking about the 4 year old and the 23 year old that both lost their lives today in separate traffic accidents or is this a dig at the Mayor fiasco? Really puts things into perspective doesn't it!

 

 

OP take a look at www.karakterbeach.com/

I think that fouremco meant our Mayor since he/she added a smiley face.

Yes, thanks for the condolences - we need them with what has been going on here.:eek:

 

We leave shortly for our cruise and it will be great getting away from it all for a couple of weeks.

 

Ellen

[Mtltraveller]

I'm also interested in hearing recommendations, we're going to St Maarten in December and I'm trying to figure out where to go. My preference at this time is Le Galion, but seems to be remote so not sure if there will be taxis to go back to the pier?

 

Dawn seems another possibility, any comparisons betwen them?

 

For our friends in TO, my sympathies from Montreal, at least our mayor had the decency to go away quietly :) but yours is way more entertaining :D

[Karysa]

I'm also interested in hearing recommendations, we're going to St Maarten in December and I'm trying to figure out where to go. My preference at this time is Le Galion, but seems to be remote so not sure if there will be taxis to go back to the pier?

 

Dawn seems another possibility, any comparisons betwen them?

 

For our friends in TO, my sympathies from Montreal, at least our mayor had the decency to go away quietly :) but yours is way more entertaining :D

 

The road to LeGalion is paved now. Taxi's should be more interested in going there. It's really not that remote. It is very near to Orient beach and the Butterfly Farm and a riding stable and all are quite popular with cruisers.

 

I find Dawn and Le Galion quite different. LeGalion is very natural and the water is very shallow and calm and perfect for children. Dawn on the other hand is open to the Atlantic and can be quite choppy and I wouldn't recommend it for small children.

[Karysa]

I think that fouremco meant our Mayor since he/she added a smiley face.

Yes, thanks for the condolences - we need them with what has been going on here.:eek:

 

We leave shortly for our cruise and it will be great getting away from it all for a couple of weeks.

 

Ellen

 

Seeing Nick Robertson the award winning journalist from CNN covering that circus in TO was just sad. Gotta feel sorry for the mayors kids though, must be pretty tough at school for them.:(

 

Anyways check out the link to Karakters that I sent or check out Mary's Boon next door. They are a little different from each other but Simpson Bay is a long stretch of sand and a very underutilized beach for the time being at least. Have a great cruise.

[In Toronto]

We are going to Karakter's. Our daughter and her family went there a couple of years ago and loved it.

[Karysa]

We are going to Karakter's. Our daughter and her family went there a couple of years ago and loved it.

 

The food is delishious. Really amazing quality from a beached bus! :D

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks for the suggestions! I guess Dawn is out for us.

 

I checked out Karakter's website - any idea on taxi costs? And cost of chairs/umbrellas?

 

Has anyone been to Le Galion?

 

Any idea on taxi costs to the various beaches? Cost of chairs/umbrellas? Cleanliness of washrooms? (The ones at Orient that I've used have been quite scary! LOL).

 

Ellen, my thoughts exactly on getting away from the Ford stupidity... Except seeing as he's on CNN and all of the late-night shows, I have a feeling "getting away" is easier said than done. Especially when people hear we're from Toronto! LOL! At least it's been an entertaining couple weeks!

[Newbcruiser1]

Oh and costs to little Divi and for chairs?!

 

We need a comparison chart! LOL! So many options! :)

 

It seems like Le Galion is kind of comparable to

Magen's Bay in St Thomas? We love the calmness there (minus the fish skimming by our feet). No kids but I'm not a strong swimmer so I like calm water! ;)

[Karysa]

Oh and costs to little Divi and for chairs?!

 

We need a comparison chart! LOL! So many options! :)

 

It seems like Le Galion is kind of comparable to

Magen's Bay in St Thomas? We love the calmness there (minus the fish skimming by our feet). No kids but I'm not a strong swimmer so I like calm water! ;)

 

I have been to all of these beaches including Meagan's.

 

Le Galion is closest to Magen's Bay for water conditions but it is usually not packed like Magen's although I think that it is gaining in popularIty with cruisers and now that the road is paved, with the taxi drivers as well. There is no fee to use this beach unlike Magen's. The locals love this beach so on weekends it is very busy. Loungers and umbrellas can be rented. Washrooms are at the restaurant and they are basic. The restaurant has basic beach bar food. We rent a car so I will guess on cab fare for 2. $16-18 each way for 2 is my estimate. I would say 25 minutes for the way there and perhaps a little longer for the way back.

 

Simpson Bay is very long. Over a mile long. The sand is soft and plentiful but palm trees would definitely enhance the look of this beach to me. It has small condos and apartments but only the area near Mary's Boon and Karakter gets busy. The water has a bit of a drop off and some rolling waves at times but I do not find that it's often rough or choppy. Free loungers for those purchasing food and drinks at Karakter but the prices are not cheap and you are served delishious food on china plates right to your chair if you so choose. Washroom are out near the parking lot and are basic. I would say $16 each way for 2 should get you to Karakter but it may be $18. This beach is between the town and Maho so bridge openings and traffic need to be kept in mind especially for the way back. It's hardest to estimate this route due to traffic and bridge delays. Best possible scenario would be 25 minutes but really watch that 3 pm bridge opening on the way back.

 

Little Bay is fine for a couple of hours and I think that it is a great choice when you are looking for a beach before or after an excursion. It's a resort beach and there are 2 timeshares on this beach. The taxi ride is cheapest, around $10 for two each way because it is the closest to town of any beach that is swimable IMHO anyways. The sand is not as soft as Karakter. It is a very nice little bay and the view is really pretty to me. There is a bit of a drop off here. It has been quite calm on the 2 occassions that I have been to Little Bay. There are chairs and umbrellas to rent and there are outdoor showers to rinse off at and there is a beach bar restaurant but I have not eaten there. Since it is a resort the washrooms are kept clean. Ten minutes should get you to or from Divi. Give yourself 30 just in case of traffic on the way back to port.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Karysa

[Newbcruiser1]

Thank you so much, Karysa!!! That's extremely helpful! Do you by any chance remember the chair/umbrella rental costs at the various beaches?

 

Looks like we have some decisions to make! ;)

[Karysa]

Thank you so much, Karysa!!! That's extremely helpful! Do you by any chance remember the chair/umbrella rental costs at the various beaches?

 

Looks like we have some decisions to make! ;)

 

No sorry. We only beach it for a couple of hours max and spend most of our time in the water. Normally we don't rent chairs when on a cruise as we have a list of places that we must visit all in one day.:)

 

We plan on visiting Karakter when we are hungry so the chairs are free since we are purchasing food.

 

I don't remember chairs and umbrellas being advertised for more than $20 for two loungers and an umbrella and that usually includes one drink each.

 

Just FYI you can bus to Simpson Bay beach but there will be walking involved.

[Gregor4500]

We were at Le Gallion 2 weeks ago and recommend it. For us it was perfect. Calm clear water. No crowds, good food, $3 beers, 2 loungers and umbrella for $15, rest rooms and $7 pp cab ride with 4 people.

[Newbcruiser1]

We were at Le Gallion 2 weeks ago and recommend it. For us it was perfect. Calm clear water. No crowds, good food, $3 beers, 2 loungers and umbrella for $15, rest rooms and $7 pp cab ride with 4 people.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Are the cabs always per person or only over 4 people? We have 3 (or are they shared and we should expect to have others joining us?). Were there taxis there to take you back or did you arrange to have yours return? How long did it take to get back to the port?

[GotRum?]

Thought I would share this link to St. Maarten beaches. http://www.sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/stmaarten_Beaches.html

 

My wife and I are going to Little Bay to check out the Divi resort that we can go to on a timeshare excahnge. Has anyone stayed there?

 

Thanks in advance

[allentownahoy]

Thought I would share this link to St. Maarten beaches. http://www.sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/stmaarten_Beaches.html

 

My wife and I are going to Little Bay to check out the Divi resort that we can go to on a timeshare excahnge. Has anyone stayed there?

 

Thanks in advance

 

I did not stay there but spent the day there when I was in port. It is a lovely beach.

[Karysa]

Thought I would share this link to St. Maarten beaches. http://www.sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/stmaarten_Beaches.html

 

My wife and I are going to Little Bay to check out the Divi resort that we can go to on a timeshare excahnge. Has anyone stayed there?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Can you stay in the Simpson Bay area instead? There are about 5 timeshares in this area. It is quite a safe area even at night and there are many restaurants within a walk or short car ride plus casinos and nightclubs as well.

 

The beach at Divi is alright for a resort beach. It wouldn't be an area high on my list to stay though. It's too far to walk to town IMHO. There is a steep hill and the curve of Great Bay makes you walk quite a distance around. I like Little Bay better than the beaches at the Simpson Bay resorts myself. Its fone for a couple of hours but i wouldn't spend the whole day here. There is a lovely view though. The Simpson Bay timeshares are not on the lovely Simpson Bay beach by the way. It's a little confusing I know but the Simpson Bay area covers quite a large distance.

[gtaylor]

Thought I would share this link to St. Maarten beaches. http://www.sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/stmaarten_Beaches.html

 

My wife and I are going to Little Bay to check out the Divi resort that we can go to on a timeshare excahnge. Has anyone stayed there?

 

Thanks in advance

 

I agree with karysa's post, above.

 

I wouldn't want to be stuck at Divi for a week if I could exchange into somewhere else in a better location. Divi is sort of isolated.

 

We haven't stayed there, but we've done the timeshare tour and even met some friends in their unit, who were staying for the week.

 

The beach is ok, but not among the top 10 or so on the island. Even assuming that you will rent a car for your week (necessary), I'd look for another resort.

 

Do you have any other choices available?

 

gary

[SDA1125]

Gregor4500 any issues with getting a taxi back to the ship ? Also how long does it take to get to La Galion ? We are only in port from 1-8 but I really wanted to check this beach out.

[gtaylor]

Not Gregor4500, but le Galion is only about 30 minutes from the Cruise Facility.

 

This is one of the beaches where I would consider making arrangements with the taxi that takes me there to pick me up for the return, and I would try to negotiate that payment is only at the return.

 

Otherwise, the people at Tropical Wave/Chez Pat should be able to call a taxi for you.

 

gary

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks everyone for your help! We leave tomorrow, and I think we've decided on Karakter on Simpson Bay. It came down to Karakter versus Le Galion - both have good reviews and both would cost just about the same (with the more expensive taxi ride and food for Karakter being balanced by the cost to rent chairs/umbrellas at Le Galion). We just know we'll have to leave early before the bridge openings - hoping 2:30ish should do it and then we can walk around the stores near the port when we get back.

 

I'll be sure to report back with my experience and opinions (in comparison to beaches I've been to multiple times like Orient and Maho).

 

Thanks again! :)

[gtaylor]

Karakter is a great choice, and if you leave at your 2:30 point, you should have plenty time to be dropped on Frontstreet for shopping (best in the Caribbean in OHO) before heading back to the ship.

 

The shops at the Cruise Facilityare quite limited.

 

gary

[Mtltraveller]

Can you walk from Karakter to Sunset Bar on Maho? On google maps there seems to be some roads at the end of Simpson Bay Beach.

thanks!