Where to go?

[celticd1]

This will be our 3rd visit to St. Martin and the 2 previous times we have gone to Orient. We love it, but want to try a new beach. What would be our best choice that has calm water, ok snorkeling, shopping nearby (not jewelry/electronics, more craft market type), changing facilities, snacks, drinks? Doesn't matter if it is on the french or dutch side, but would prefer one closer to the ship. From what I am reading, Pinel sounds good, but a little farther than we want to go. Maybe Little Bay? Is there an area there that isn't crowded? Help! :o

[gtaylor]

Sorry, but I think that you are going to have to prioritize your choices here.

 

'Craft market shopping' kind of gets in the way, unless you're willing to go to your determined beach of choice and then have the taxi drop you off at the vendor stalls behind the Court House on the way back to the ship.

 

Divi crowding depends almost entirely on how many ships are in port with you.

 

gary

[celticd1]

Yes, I know I am dreaming! LOL

 

OK, there will only be 3 ships in port that day (Legend included), so how crowded do you think Divi Little Bay will be? How is the snorkeling? I'm not looking for world class stuff, just calm enough water that I can snorkel without getting water in my mouth. I suppose weather conditions play a big part in this.

 

I kinda figured we would end up doing our shopping at the craft market on the way back to the ship. Can you pick up the water taxi from there?

 

Who knows, we may go back to Orient after all. It seems to have most of the things we want. :D

 

Thanks for the help!:)

[gtaylor]

Just off the top, I'd pick Orient over Divi every time. I really don't care for that beach, but if you're looking for calm, it is regularly pretty calm, though as you suspect, weather has everything to do with the conditions.

 

I have heard that snorkeling is ok over near the rocks to the left as you face the water. I know that some of the 'snorkeling excursions' go there. If you haven't seen them, I have some photos of Divi over in my PhotoBucket. One of them shows a snorkeling tour pulling in. Those pictures were taken at about 10:00 with one ship, the Disney Magic, in port. I suspect that even with three ships you'd still be able to find some space, although there will probably be a lot of people.

 

The water taxi stops at the Little Pier, near the center of Philipsburg's shopping area, directly in front of the Court House. The vendor's are in the area behind the Court House.

 

Some days Orient is fairly calm, and there is some snorkeling -- see my post near the end of this thread.