TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Snorkel and Grocery

I have two random questions if anyone cares to contribute a suggestion. We are still getting familiar with different areas of the island have yet to find two things : 1) a really good grocery store ( most of my forum research leads to posts about grocery stores operating under previous names and it's hard to place what they are now, if still even in existence. ) something with a deli or meat counter? 2) where to find SUPER basic snorkel equipment or even just goggles. This has been surprisingly hard to find. No fins... Just goggles and mask maybe. FWIW we are venturing to Philipsburg for the first time today; I have high hopes of finding either need met going to/ from. Many thank you's !

Not sure where you are staying so not sure what you will pass but Le Grande Marche on Bush Rd is very popular and has a decent deli. In the Simpson Bay area Market Garden is not bad either.

Not sure on the other question but I have seen basic snorkel equipment at various places around the island, just never had a need for it.

Whatever you do, do NOT leave anything of value in your rental car (assuming you have one) as that is a recipe for disaster.

Good luck.

Thank you! I think the Grande Marche is just the ticket. We are staying Grand Case btw.
We've been very diligent with the car... I even had my husband retrieve a bottle of water we forgot in the trunk ! On the topic of cars, I have been having quite a good time driving myself although initially I thought it would be "crazy" driving. Tell me, to thank someone for letting me out, is it two quick beeps?

Good Morning! There is a Grand Marche at the roundabout at Bush Road. They have deli counter in the back as well as a large selection of meats, groceries and just about anything else you might need--very large store. You should find this on your way to Philipsburg. As for snorkel equipment, Aqua Marina operates the water-sport activities at Divi Little Bay and I think the Simpson Bay Resort and they have goggles and masks. Divi Little Bay is near Philipsburg if you can make a quick stop, that might work for you.

Hope you are enjoying your vacation!

One or two beeps will work when acknowledging another car, just not the one finger salute! A polite wave will do also.

Hope you are enjoying your honeymoon.
I will suggest super u in marigot. Exit Grand Case and follow road south for about 5 minutes, on left. Good prices with a 1-1.05 exchange. Food, cheese, meats and good alcohol suggestion.
I am on island now and have eaten at almost all the restaurants in Grand Case the past two weeks and have once again found Le Cottage to be at the top.
Tonight we will returning with a friend to Le Cottage around 8' o'clock.
and our last meal on Friday will be at our other favorite La Villa (probably at 8:30). Please feel free to stop by and say hello. My wife has frosted blonde hair. Le Pressoir was also very good with wonderful plate presentations and a little smaller portions.

Captain Frenchy's and Rainbow are great beach bars to hang out during the day with very good food and great staff.
Michael & Renee

You may find the snorkel and mask at the grocery store. Look around before you leave and you might get lucky. The old Simply used to carry items like that.

Great suggestions!! We loved our meal at La Villa and have been to Rainbow daily. It's just too good.

Grand Marche at the roundabout will definitely work, when you are returning from P'burg. Or Super U in Marigot, which would also be on your return path from P'burg to Grand Case. Super U has more French products. If you are wanting American products, Super U has few of those. Don't know the answer on the snorkel equipment.

Enjoy!

Octopus Diving is right in GRAND CASE and they do half day snorkeling and dives. Also, there is a very good dive shop next to Capt Oliver's in Oyster Pond. You may drive past it on your way to P'burg.

Bob

I second the suggestion of Super U because you're staying in or near Grand Case. There's one in Marigot (on the way to GC) in the Howell Shopping Center located just past the athletic field on right coming from airport area. (or on left if coming from Grand Case area).

I heard this market opened another location between Grand Case and Orient near Hope Estate.

When we stay on the Dutch side we no longer shop at Grand Marche. Instead we stop at Fresh Market in Phillipsburg area before Madam Estate on way to the zoo. Best vegetables & fruits.

Is the Super U in Hope Estate actually open now? I had heard it was supposed to be open around September or so, but hadn't seen that it is actually open.

I always thought one beep meant "go ahead", and two beeps meant "thank you".

If you go to Rainbow today ask Jean Henri (works the beach) where to find snorkel gear close by. Tell Jean Beth and Steve say hi.

That could well be. I will consult with my local taxi driver friend and find out.

FYI I did not see a Super U there , rather a Simply that is no longer in operation, if I understand the location correctly

To update : we found the basic snorkel stuff at a very nice mega Ace in Cole Bay. We intended to go to grand Marche but got sidetracked with our exploring and instead stocked up on the prosciutto we were seeking at a lovely store called Grape Wine just outside of Grand Case. Finally, Mahokid, a trip to Le Cottage is likely in the cards for us as well so perhaps I will get to say hello. Cheers, all, and thanks for the tips.

You may find snorkel & goggles at The Bubble Shop in Hope Estate up behind the Simply that is closed. It is right across from Bacchus.

That Simply will be reopening at some point as a Super U, I didn't think it was open yet as a Super U.

When you get back, let us know if you found reasonably priced snorkel gear and where. I am debating on buying inexpensive gear in the states and taking it with me in Nov but I would rather not. The problem I find on vacation is snorkel gear is 3x to 4x thee price I can buy it here. Enjoy!

I always bring one. Nothing professional grade but just something to kill some time at the beach. I figured that even if you bought one you wouldn't want to every time so just bring it the first time. I found a $20.00 bill one day off Club O beach. Pretty sure it didn't fall out of someone's pocket <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />