What are your favorite beaches on St Maarten? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I know that I'll have a great time no matter where we go, but honestly I have no idea which to choose.
More than likely we'll shop in Phillipsburg for a while and then catch a cab to a beach. I just don't know what to choose!! We just want a nice beach to relax and float in the water. I would like some beautiful landscape in the background for pictures But really that's all I'm looking for.....
We are looking for the same advice, Heather! We will be bringing our 2 and 4 year old girls and are looking for somewhere safe and close to take them to spend the day at the beach. We have heard that there are several beaches that are a little rough water and drop off wise and really need advice about a good place to take little one to enjoy the day! Can't wait to see what answers you get!
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Maho beach rules! No honestly it does if you like planes. Its not a huge beach but its one of the few places in the world you can sunbathe and get sandblasted by a 747. If you are going with someone who hates beaches (aka me) this is a great distraction. I really enjoyed it. The sand and sea were both nice. Not really a sunbathing beach but still good fun.
Well, if you can get to Maho, then Mullet Bay is a better choice for the traditional beach pleasures, and it's just a few minutes beyond Maho.
If Maho attracts you anyway, the Sunset Bar on the south edge of the beach is one of the most hoppin' beach bars on the island.
I happen to like some of the more remote beaches - Plum, and Rouge, which are farther out on the Lowlands area of the island. There are very few, if any, amenities, Plum is very quiet (Rouge is definitely more popular, as it's closer to Marigot), and they're hard to find. On a day visit, you'll probably do best having a driver drop you off and pick up up. Plum has gentler surf and Rouge has bigger surf. Being on the French side, you will probably encounter topless sunbathers.
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Dave, does Mullet Bay have dining options? I was thinking of shopping for a bit in Phillipsburg and then taking a taxi to whatever beach we decide on. Is this an option for Mullet Bay? How long does it generally take to get there?
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I haven't been to Mullet for a few years, but there are usually some locals operating beach barbecues. The beach was part of the old Mullet Bay resort, which was destroyed by a hurricane way too many years ago, and has never been revived. The real food action is nearby, at the Maho Beach Resort (a very long time ago, the Maho Beach Resort was The Concord, of Lake Kiamesha, New York fame) . The road over to Mullet runs right through a strip of shops and restaurants that is part of the Maho resort. You can find ice cream and sandwiches, all the way up to fine dining.
The trip from Philipsburg can take a while, depending on the time of day - 20 minutes or more (more coming if the draw bridge on the airport road is opened). A new causeway and bridge have been added, but they're more useful for folks headed to/from Marigot than to Philipsburg.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
So, I think after much research and planning that I have narrowed it down to either going to Pinel Island or Friar's Bay. They both seem awesome and just what we're lookinf for.
Can anyone tell me the amount of time it takes to travel to either of these, and whether ut seems attainable with the amount of time we are docked in the port or could anyone please give me a timeline if when we should start heading to/from in order to make it back on time?
Thanks for the help!!!!
** I would also like to have a little bit of time to shop in Phillipsburg before heading back to the ship.
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HEATHER
Last edited by Heather_K; 04-20-2011 at 01:02 PM..
Allow about half-hour for Pinel, more like 45 minutes to an hour to Friars, depending on traffic. Pinel will be reached driving up the east side of the island, Friars is a bit north of Marigot on the west shore. Problem is, the shorter route ( west from Phillipsburg, then north through Cole Bay and Marigot, has heavy traffic. To avoid the traffic you could drive counter-clockwise, past Cul-de-Sac (where you get the boat to Pinel), through Grand Case in the northwest, then south to Friars.
Note that Pinel is clothing-optional, Friars likely to be topless to some degree. Haven't been to Friars in a long time, before it was a shorex destination. Very pretty, classic tropical beach with gentle surf. Pinel swimming is on the lee side of the island. No surf, shallow, sandy bottom, beautiful view of the mountains.
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