How far from pier is Front St and other ?s

[lschrage]

We'll be visiting St. Martin during our AOS cruise in a few weeks. We had planned to do some shopping on Front St. and then doing beach time at Orient Beach. A couple of logistical questions for you:

- Is Front Street walking distance to pier? If not, what's the best way to get there? How long does it take to get from the pier to Front Street?

 

We're thinking that we'll do our shopping first, then head back to the ship to drop off our purchases and then head back out to grab a cab to Orient Beach.

- How long does it take to get from the pier to Orient Beach?

- Can you do parasailing and rent waverunners from Orient Beach? If so, where's the best place to do that from? Do places have floats that you can rent? Is there any decent snorkeling along Orient Beach?

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Lynne

[cruisenfever]

You are tendered into St. Maarteen's from the ship. There are usually two drop off points, one at the end of town and the other in the center of town. Not being a beach person, I cannot tell you anything about Orient Beach. However if you plan on shopping, then taking your treasures back to the ship, you will have to do that by way of tender. I believe they were running every 15-20 minutes. Have a great time. We did AOS two years ago on a b2b, and we just loved the ship.

[Zeno]

Most ships now dock at the new pier in SXM. The port is within walking of Front St BUT personally I would recommend getting an all-day pass for the water taxis (which run constantly) that take you directly from the cruiseship dock into downtown Phillipsburg. It costs $5 pp. There is a taxi stand at the cruiseship dock. Depending on whether you choose to share or not (most are mini-vans), it will cost you from $5-$9 pp one-way to Orient Beach from the cruiseship dock. There is just about every conceivable water toy available for rent on Orient Beach (wave runners, trampoline, water slide) and lots of restaurants. The restaurants all rent umbrellas and loungers and most have fresh water outdoor showers and washrooms (available for the use of their patrons).

[lschrage]

What time do the stores open on Front Street? Are they open as soon as the ship(s) get in or do we have to wait until 10:00 am like most US shops?

[snowcat]

We were in St. Maarten last December....docked right at the pier and then we got the all-day water taxi pass (if I remember correctly, they gave us each a pink wristband). We did shopping on Front St. in the morning and then took the water taxi back to the ship to drop stuff off and then in the afternoon, we took the water taxi back downtown and went to the beach right there parallel to Front St. They had wave runners a couple places there, although we didn't try one. It was a nice place to relax and easy to get to. The water taxi was a great way to get back and forth.

[jenny368]

Can you take the water taxi to Orient Beach?

[kal]

Can you take the water taxi to Orient Beach?

 

No, they only operate in Great Bay.

[jenny368]

Ok, thanks!

[wiggin]

Same question as above..........what time do the shops open? Anyone?

[kal]

what time do the shops open?

 

All of the shops are open by 10:00am while some open by 9:15am or so.

[wiggin]

Thanks