TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Marina in Marigot

On previous trips we have greatly enjoyed the restaurants lining the Marina in Marigot for evening meals. We have read recent concerns about safety at night in that area. Does anyone believe we should avoid going to the Marina at night? We will be on the Island early November. Has the atmosphere in Marigot changed much in the last 3-4 years?

I visit the restaurants there all the time, with no problem. Always be aware of your surroundings!!!!!

We agree with joeC047. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

We also agree!!!!!!

You may want to take a look at this story Daily Herald story. There were some other follow up stories also.

I'll still go to Tropicana for lunch but not willing to take the chance of dealing with any issues getting to the Marina at night. We used to park on the waterfront and take a nice walk back to the Marina and I'm pretty sure that is a bad idea these days. Being aware of your surroundings only goes so far.

The fact is that the Marina Royale has been looking pretty run down the past few years. A look at the buildings and apartments show that very little maintenance has been done and that translates through the area as a whole. The business owners or the government has to make some effort if they are going to keep this a viable tourist destination.

Another story The Daily Herald recently changed all their website addresses, so could not link previous stories that were posted here on TTOL.

Thank you for the information. How sad. It was a beautiful fun place to go in the evening. Not sure I feel comfortable walking through there to get to the restaurants.

Seems to me that they need to find a shelter and staff it adequately with people who are trained to work with the homeless. If they just take away their beds and throw them out of the car park they may eventually end up on the Dutch side where they will creates the same problems.

For the last 20 years, we have gone to Marina Royale for dinner 2 or 3 nights each year and have had no problems. It isn't as lively as years ago, but we do enjoy Tropicana and a few other restaurants there.

Are there 2 parking lots for Marina Royale? We park down near Tropicana end & I haven't seen any mattresses or homeless there. Just trying to figure out where they are.
thanks

The area in the article and photograph is a small enclosed alleyway coming from Rue de Low Town. If you come from any other direction you will not see it.