TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beachside Villas

What is the water like in front of the villas for swimming, ie. is the water shallow for a long way out or is there a drop off and is it safe for "not-so-strong" swimmers? Thank you in advance for any replies.

It changes frequently enough to not be able to give accurate advise. We've walked the beach in the water. We've seen waves crashing up so high we could not walk. So depending on tide there could be a nice distance of water at ankles, knees, hips. Very few rocks. Actually, I can not remember any.

We’re here now since the 6th and really have NOT been able to swim here, but as strange as this may sound, it’s been okay as the pool sits right off the beach so you see the water and the waves and hear them, but you just don’t have to deal with the sand. That said, other trips we’ve been able to swim here so it really depends on what MN has in store weather-wise for any given time.

There is not a steep drop off in the water or a 'cliff' getting into the water, like there often is at Mullet and there are very few rocks in the water. But as Pat says, it depends on the waves. Recently the waves have been VERY strong all along Simpson Bay Beach, so it just a function of the wave action at any one time. We were there for 11 days in October and I swam in the water, but only a couple of times, because I don't really get in the water much anymore.

Thank you all so much for your replies ~ very helpful ~ it's good to know for future vacation.

We stayed at BV in early April and a nextdoor guest was severely injured going into the surf, An ambulance came and she was hospitalized and operated on for, I believe, a dislocated shoulder, etc. It happened very quickly. The undertow then was crazy. Be careful, please.

I'm back shy of a week and as others have said the surf changes. We've stayed at BSV I believe nine times and it can be calm or rough waves which we find all over the island. This trip we had several days that were rough but a light undertow so I went in. Other days it was too rough for me but we found the same conditions at Orient and heard first hand about several other beaches on the island.

Video was posted one day where the surf was rough in the lagoon in front of the Atrium. During our 25 visits to the island it's always been calm there but not this past trip.

We were just on island for two weeks. We couldn't get into the water anywhere from the beach except at Orient the whole trip....and even that was a rough day in/out.

During our stay at BSV we saw ONE person get in and swim parallel to the shoreline.

Yes, its all changing I'm afraid and am staggered at those that simply do not believe in global warming. Like others, tend to prefer the pool these days but still like a great beach to walk on occasionally. In all the years we have been coming to SXM though, actually spent more time on the beaches in St. Thomas and Anguilla than St. Martin. What I did notice last year and even worse this year in Anguilla was how difficult it was to walk on Meads Bay. Normally as flat and calm as a pancake. The water wasn't too rough whilst we we there but was told it had been. The sand dunes made it difficult to get up the beach to our place we were staying and trying to walk adjacent to the water was also difficult as it sloped at an angle with a big drop off into the sea. Never seen this before. Stay always at Terres Basses so have the beaches of Long Bay and Plum Bay 2 minutes away if we want to do a beachy, rocky in many parts but for no crowds, hardly anyone there. Had breakfast next to BSV in June and although somewhat windy it was a nice walk there indeed but the barman told me that the day before it was just far too rough and unpleasant, so yes, constantly changing. Back in a few weeks and will spend also a couple of days on Shoal Bay East where from what I saw last time, very little change on the beach in that area and still one of the finest I have ever seen.

So what was it like 100, 1000, or 10,000 years ago?

Time for my nap....

We stayed at BSV for 10 days in July. We were very disappointed, as the surf was rough our entire stay. We were not able to go in at all.

Renee,

Not trying to be funny or cute here, but there are some things the resort just can’t guarantee and sadly, the state of the seas is one of them. My DH has only been in the ocean here a couple of times and me not at all.

For the most part, much of Simpson Bay has had rough waters over the past two weeks we’ve been here but at least there’s a pool or if that doesn’t work for you, theres always the option to get in the car and seek another more suitable beach.

What I appreciate here is IF the ocean waters are not to my liking, at least there is a pool and I can sit out on the pool deck accessing the pool water at my leisure and still appreciate all the other attributes of the ocean less the sand everywhere.

Obviously, Pat, and I totally agree. We have on a few occasions had to change our beach of choice for the day. And I would never suggest that the resort could control MN. LOL However, the OP was asking about the water at BSV. I simply answered the question and offered my experience from July.

Just bad luck for you Renee. But I don't think that area is the calmest anyway. Some though just love to be on a beach with direct views of the sea, as don't swim(or feel safe) at all in the sea anyway but have a pool to cool down in and get out immediately when had enough. Also, again depends on one's age, as we get older, aches, pains, too much effort, etc, etc, takes it's toll(well perhaps not you, but certainly me these days).

Good company, sunshine most days and only worrying about where my next meal is coming from gets me through most days there. 2 weeks tomorrow. Trying to diet now for the onslaught of stuffing(with drinking of course) and after that couldn't waddle my fat a## into the sea anyway.

Have a wonderful time in paradise bran! So wish it was us returning in 2 weeks. Looking forward to hearing details of your trip. It was perfectly ok that we couldn't go in at BSV. There are so many other beautiful choices so it's all good. And it was wonderful to sit and watch the sea in the mornings and late nights. Again, have an awesome time!!

Thank you again for the additional replies ~ i really appreciate them. We are seriously considering going there in late 2020 to celebrate a significant milestone. I'd be okay just walking along the shoreline or we could go to another beach and explore. The view from the villas, so close to the water looks heavenly. I emailed the website to ask if sun umbrellas were allowed and was told "yes" that we could rent them and use on the beach or at the pool. I haven't seen any photos with umbrellas on the beach though or at the pool. Does anyone use sun umbrellas? Thanks again for replies.

I have seen people using umbrellas along the beach since we’ve been here - not a lot but I have seen them. I think using them at the pool might be problematic but that said, there is a somewhat shaded side of the pool deck and you can usually get lounges with almost any degree of sun or shade you want or need..

We always rent an umbrella from Craig at Packlight. Most days I don't bother to get it set up, but I have it. And you are correct, there are not usually many umbrellas on the beach at all. In fact, there's usually not many PEOPLE on the beach, which is darn fine with me! Around the pool deck, there really is not a good way to use an umbrella. I always sit under the gazebo. In the afternoon, one side of the deck is mostly in the shade. Or you always have your own patio with two loungers in the shade, at your unit.

We rented umbrellas and sandchairs. Craig drops off and picks up, he offers a great service at affordable prices.

Right. For other places, he may make other arrangements, but since he lives so close there to BSV, he picks up and drops off there. Very convenient!

Thanks again for your replies.