TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beach recommendations on days with many cruise ships

We will be in St Maarten the first week of March. On three of the days there will be between 10,000 and 15,000 cruise passengers on island. Which beaches are recommended for busy days such as these to avoid the cruise ship crowds? We already have reservations at Anse Marcel Beach Club for one of the days. Thanks

Friars Bay, unless you don't like bumpy roads.

Simpson Bay/Mary's Boon might be a good option.

If your home resort has a nice beach stay there or just join n with the crowds. D's beach is nice with good food.

Scuba--I don't know what their current policy is, but when it was called something else, D's had cruise ship excursions there.

Not any more Carol .

Lesley--good. Ok, thanks.

Definitely not Maho. I cannot imagine people coming to that lovely island only to be squished in like sardines where there are so many nicer beaches to go to.

Friars Bay Beach Café, even if you don't like bumpy roads! Yes, the road to get there is bad, but the destination is worth it!

I would say it depends where you are staying, when 5-6 cruise ships are in town I try not to travel far from home.

Exactly. My sentiments too.

Every time we've been to Friars Bay the beach has had a lot of small pebbles to contend with that are not too friendly on bare feet.

Thanks, Friar's Bay Beach was on my list. It's been 3 years since we have been to SXM, just didn't know which beaches the cruise lines were taking people to nowadays. We stay at Oyster Bay Beach Resort, have been coming for 27 years. (EOY + or -). When we first started going Dawn Beach was awesome, then with the sargassum seaweed started being an issue, Dawn Beach became very hit or miss. Then when Irma took out most of Oyster Pond and Busby's, staying multiple days at Dawn Beach became unappealing. We are bringing my wife's brother and sister-in-law this trip, their first time to St Maarten or any Caribbean Island. Just trying to make it memorable for them. Is Pinel extra busy one cruise ship days? Thank again.

I don't think any cruise ships have tours to Pinel (they can com independently) but just leave early enough. Also make reservations where you plan to go. Recently visited over Christmas/NYE and the French side was the most crowded I have ever seen. Tons of people being turned away especially Orient Bay beach bars for lunch.

I would stay home and avoid the crowds.

The last several times I've been there, for the last three years or more, the pebbles have not been a problem.

Good to know. We quit going there because of the pebbles. I did see a recent picture on Facebook after the tall surf and beach was peppered with pebbles.

"Friars Bay Beach Café, even if you don't like bumpy roads! Yes, the road to get there is bad, but the destination is worth it!"

Wrong. The road isn't bad, it is atrocious. We were there in November, first time back to Friar's Bay in several visits. Won't go there next trip because of the road, and I'm someone who enjoys off-road driving.

If I owned the restaurants at Friar's, I would spend a couple thousand $$ on bulldozer time and get the road fixed, even if I had to do it every year. Perhaps some of the villa owners who also must travel that stretch would chip in, too. Maybe someone can enlighten me why they would/should/could not do so. If I had rented there without being warned about the road I would be POed.

Guana Bay Beach. Pack a lunch and bring your boogie boards.
Right down the road from where your staying.

Six cruise ships in port today. We went to Baie Rouge, but you'd need to bring your own chairs. No facilities there... but it was a beautiful day.

I take it the rough seas are gone for now.

Even when there are pebbles, I've always been able to find a clear spot to get into the water.

Yesterday it was still too rough at Cupecoy for any beach chairs except the rocks. We went to Baie Rouge and it was rough enough to knock down a lady standing on the beach. I'm a strong swimmer but was afraid to go in.... a few men went swimming, but that was all on a very busy (for Baie Rouge) beach. The forecast shows calm seas, so we are hoping for better luck today!

We went there three times during our stay in November and December. The heavy rains the week before we arrived definitely caused more damage to the already bad road, but we won't let it stop us from going to a favorite beach. We take the road that turns just past the Christmas house coming from Simpson Bay.

GaKaye,
What kind of car do you rent (or have)? The last time we were there, I was afraid to take a sedan down either road for fear of falling into a hole!

We always have a tiny car. I don't remember the model. This past year there was a huge hole at one point, but we avoided it by driving on the wrong side of the road.

We went to Friars three times between Jan 2 and 9th, specifically Friars Bay Beach Club. The road was much smoother than in Nov/Dec, drove it in a Yaris and had no issues other than the back parking lot by 978 was a bit of a challenge to get in and out. We park there and walk over but there is the lot coming from the other direction by FBBC. First day we went it was nothing but sand and no dip when you walked in and out of the ocean. Our second day there the waves were a bit more and there were some rocks, but as stated you just fine the spot where you can walk in and out with minimal rocks and all good. Third time there back to no or very very few rocks but a bit more of a drop and waves were something to pay attention to but didn't stop us from going in and out.

Food, delicious. Service, love the staff there. Also note that this is FBBC's 30th year! Got the t shirt, lol. No reservations, suggest paying attention to when the place begins to fill up or plan on being on the waiting list.

Anse Marcel. Lovely calm beach and several places to eat. I've never seen cruise tours there.

Just take plenty of cash or your CC.

Scuba how much $$ to rent chairs & umbrella? There are a couple of less expensive restaurant beyond the coast guard dock that aren't too expensive. One of our favorites is Calypso.

2 chairs and umbrella at Anse Marcel are $36

Last time it was 30 plus food and drinks. No cooler allowed.

I 4th, 5th, or 6th (I lost count) Friar's Bay, wonderful place. One of the prettiest most serene beaches on the island. We just go there to eat and enjoy the loveliness.

All the times I've been there that wasn't my experience. Foul smell coming from the back stagnant pond and pebbles on the beach. Done with Friars.

And I've never experienced that smell. I feel like you may have an agenda with your negativity about Friars. Your loss.

That smell is definitely there depending on the wind direction. Comes from the stagnant pond in back. Not my loss as there are plenty of other enjoyable beaches for me to go too without the pebbles and smell to contend with. There have been times they've had to drain some of it into the sea and close off swimming in that area. I'll pass.

That is also the reason I have stopped going there. It does depend on the wind direction and worse after it rains. The horrible road to get there is also a determining factor.Those who have not experienced that smell have been very fortunate.

Color me fortunate I guess 'cuz in all the years and many visits to Frar's per trip I have never noticed the smell. Yesterday was the most recent visit...and the road is MUCH improved once you get past the first bump

I've been there many times and there has never been a smell. Imagine that Scuba? Just because I didn't notice it doesn't mean it isn't there.

I enjoy Friars, however on one occasion I also experienced the foul smell mentioned…