St. Martin excursion with children

[teachhinkkc]

We will be there in April 2007, I am looking for good excursions to do with children. I will be traveling with an 8,5,3,and 1 year old.

[chriscruise]

Our friends took the water taxi into Philipsburg and beached it right there in town. The parents could take turns shopping and watching the kids in the ocean. There are plenty of places to eat and shop. They had a great day. You are also not too far from the ship if the little ones need to go back for naps or whatever.

[Cruizinfamily]

I'm also looking for some family friendly ideas for excursions. We will have a wide range of ages, from age 5 to age 17 (nine kids total in the group) There will be four adults, so will we need to divide up with the older kids going with two adults and the younger group doing something else, or does anyone have suggestions of excursions that would be fun for this range of age groups?

[Scoutcat]

I have heard wonderful things about The Butterfly Farm....it is definitely on my list of places to go the next time I get back to St. Maarten. They have a website with all the info http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com...it sounds like a very family friendly place.

 

"Scout" aka Carol

Dayton, OH

[luv2travel29]

My family is going to spend a few hours at Maho Beach and watch the planes come in. There is a really cool video on this board if you do a search! Something different and fun for all ages!

[elhenry]

We went to the butterfly farm eight years ago, and it was fascinating: we were disappointed that we didn't have any children with us, they seemed to love it<G>. We return to St. Maarten in two weeks on the CB and may well do it again! It is small though and *not* a full day's entertainment...

 

el henry

[grangermom]

I agree that the OP should go into Phillipsburg on the water taxi. The beach is really nice, and you pay one price ($5 pp) to go back and forth on the water taxi as much as you want.

 

For Cruizinfamily, you should also take the water taxi over and then take the older kids on the Segway tour. If you want to read more about it, look for my post about the Segway tour.

[atlcple2]

We took the kids with us on the Mariner in February and went to St. Martin. We rented a jeep ($85 for the day). We left Phillipsburg and drove around the island and stopped in Merigot for some shopping. Merigot isn't nearly as crowded as Phillipsburg and very pretty and nice. Then we hit Grand Case and then over to Orient Beach. They have lots of activities for kids (trampoline on the ocean, parasailing, waive runners, etc.), lots of restaurants and bars. Bring cash and most establishments will swap $1 US for $1 Euros as an equal exchange (vs. $1.25 or higher with a credit card). Food is pricey, but we expected that. Drop the car off on the way back and they will take you to the ship. We just booked a week land vacation there for September and can't wait! We have already rented a car for the trip. Enjoy!