TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Buccaneer Beach Bar revisited

On Monday after the stormy weekend we decided to look for a calmer beach than Little Bay so we headed to the BBB early. We arrived just after 10am (beachfront parking) and they were just starting to put beach chairs out so after requesting chairs and umbrellas we dumped our gear on a picnic table and made our way into the Kim Sha beach water. So nice. Soft sand, gentle waves and so refreshing.

We stayed until 2pm, had a wonderful lunch, inexpensive cocktails and fabulous service right at the beach. The Philly cheesesteaks were great as was the coconut shrimp and I swear the best, crispiest fries I've had since last years trip to the BBB.

We were glad we went early because both the BBB and the Atrium beach chairs filled up close to noon.

BBB does a great job both in food and service.

dolfer--I was a little confused, when you posted this thread after the one you posted about going home, but I figured it out.

We went to BBB last trip, and I had my mouth all set for a Philly cheese steak, and the waiter said they didn't have it!! I am happy that was a temporary condition! We both then ended up with burgers and fries and both were excellent.

Thank you for sharing this; I was just coming to ask for suggestions for one of our beach days for an upcoming trip. We enjoyed a day at El Zafiro last trip, but I've read here about what's been going on with that place. Looking a the map, I thought I'd ask here for opinions on Karakter, Mary's Boon, and Buccaneer for beach day options with good food. We didn't visit any of the three on our previous trip.

I would say that all 3 are good choices you won't be disappointed.

taraavo--the biggest problem I have had with Karakter is that they jam their chairs too close together, or at least they did the last time I was there. Their food used to be the best on the beach in Simpson Bay, by far. The quality has fallen since the original owners left the island for Curacao, but I still think it has some of the best food on the beach. There USED to be a big problem with parking at Karakter, but I understand they have some kind of a valet parking system now, so that sounds like an improvement.

I like the vibe at Mary's Boon a lot, as it just feels like a classic Caribbean beach. I have found their food there to be kind of hit and miss though. But their chairs are usually spaced nicely.

Even if we go somewhere to the beach for the day, except at Mullet, we DON'T eat lunch at our chairs. I prefer my meal NOT mixed with sand. So, we go up to the restaurant to eat, which you can do at Karakter and at Mary's Boon. Something that is somewhat important to me, and probably not most folks, is that we generally drink wine with lunch and I cannot abide drinking wine in a plastic glass. As I said earlier in this thread, the food at Buck was quite good, but I had to whine and moan to the waiter there, before I was able to get a glass glass to drink my wine in. The service was quite good at Buck, but I like a glass wine glass. Your mileage may vary.

Buccanner is good but to us can be hit or miss and I like their burgers. Parking is a problem. The beach really is not that great Compared to Mary's Boon which we like a lot better and the staff is wonderful. At Mary's Boon you can eat a proper table in the beachside dining room or at a table on the beach. Prices are good and we like the tuna tartare , or the Mahi Sandwich and burgers are good too. Never liked Karaketer as the food and service just ok. but the crowd and loud music can become obnoxious.And a very muddy parking lot as of a few weeks ago. t is a great beach however but The Boon just next door has the same great beach.

This is all great feedback, I appreciate it. Carol, I, too like to move to a table for lunch so this is certainly something to think about. Thanks.

There is table seating at BBB also. We chose and even enjoy eating at the beach. We spend our summers on a Lake Michigan beach where we bring food or cook on a beach grill so being served beachside is a very special treat for us.

dolfer--sorry, yes, there is table seating at BBB, but like I said, the wine glass thing freaked me out.

forever--loud music at Karakter during the day? I've never experienced that.