TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin best beach experiences going into March vacation

I have been reading various posts on beach conditions on our island. We are coming for the month of March and our favorite beaches have been: Simpson Bay at Atrium, Anse Marcel, Pinel Island, Orient, Cupecoy, Baie Rouge, What is the consensus of 2019 visitors on the best beach experiences on your trips? Thanks for all your help as its been two years since we have been there!

The Daily Herald just posted a seaweed problem expected for the next few months so it's anybody's guess which beached will be good. One of our favorites is Baie Longue.

As was stated in another thread, don't know how you feel about Mullet, Friars and Great and Little Bay, but they are generally not as troubled by the seaweed as so many of the other beaches are. Love the ribs at Rosie's, lunch at Friars Bay Beach Cafe and the choices along the Boardwalk on Great Bay are many and good - and if those choices aren't for you, and you're going to be there for a full month, I'd highly recommend Shoal Bay on AXA for a perfect day but no clue as to the seaweed situation there.

Here is the link.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85140-nature-foundation-warns-of-potential-sargassum-invasion

My concern would be jellyfish. Does anyone know when their season is?

I have encountered jellyfish while diving May, June and July. But those are the months we have been there. In March/April we encountered them on other close by islands.

We’re they the harmless clear jellies or the kind that sting? Sorry, but I kind of have a big phobia of them!

We typically visit the island in April and November but I think we’ve actually been there every month except June, July and August and I have NEVER seen a jellyfish there of any variety. That said, my granddaughter was stung by one sometime between Christmas and New Years, and I wish I could tell you where it happened. While I wasn’t there to see it, I was told she was in a great deal of discomfort and did ultimately require medical attention.

Both types. Clear and purplish ones.

Pat. Could it have been coming in contact with fire coral, red or black spiny sea urchins or lionfish that are in and around some snorkeling and swim areas.? All of which will cause extreme pain and discomfort.

I don’t know, Scuba. I only wish we had been there, too. But she and her husband live on the Cape (Cod, that is....) and they literally live in, on and around the water. She was pretty specific about the jelly-fish part although I guess anything is possible.

I’ve seen the clear jellyfish a few times in the late summer at our favorite Rhode Island beaches when the water temperatures are at their warmest, but honestly, in 45+ years of trips to to SXM, often twice a year and a few times more, I’ve never seen a jelly-fish there during our trips.

I come across them while diving occasionally. The worst is when boats go through a school of them and those chopped up stinging tentacles floating freely hit your face or lips. Usually above 10 ft of water or so. Doesn't happen all the time but when it does you know it pretty quickly.

Oh geez. Thanks for the warning. I have a big phobia, mainly because they’re alien-like and they sting. And I’ve also heard about fire coral but I didn’t know it was down there.

I always swim with a shirt on (you know, my shoulders). Please tell me they can’t sting through it.

Have lived here 11 years and swim several times a week at different beaches. Seen jelly's perhaps 4 times and they were the non harmful ones. Few years back some FST's (stupid tourists) were throwing them in the sand to kill them. Had security stop that right quick.

I don't think anyone needs to worry about fire coral on SXM. Most corals have stinging cells (nematocysts), but unless you're really active diving you shouldn't encounter anything. What Bill and Elaine say above is a little concerning. You should never touch a jellyfish dead or alive because their stinging tentacles remain active for a short time even after they wash up on a beach front. I know first hand because my older sister got stung like this years ago down in Florida when she stepped on one accidentally. Throwing them onto the sand is simply idiotic, and sets up barefooted tourists to do the same (sometimes I can't believe the things I read on this board!). People like to walk the beach back-and-forth, and my wife and I love this as well. But, we either wear beach shoes or sandals to avoid things that can harm your feet. Black long-spine urchins can often be found just off shore in rocky areas and if you step on one of these guys the barb is going into you foot. Besides, protecting your feet if you encounter sharp rocks is also a smart idea. Just wear some flip-flops and you'll be fine.