We'll be arriving at St. Maarten's in 2 weeks for 1 day only. Our cruise ship docks around 8AM and we leave at 6PM. I think we'd like to spend time at the beach but don't want to waste any time looking for the "best spots" or fun, delicious restaurants. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

what beach do you want to go to? the Philipsburg beach is a short distance away, you can walk there or take a water taxi there.. the beach is lined with beach bars and restaurants. you can stroll the boardwalk or shop on Front Street.
for a nice lunch, try Pasagrahan Guesthouse, Greenhouse Restaurnat,or Oulaichi( in the St. maarten arcade)

If you want to go to another beach, then you need to take a taxi. close by beaches are Oyster Pond..eat at Mr. Busby's there.
or Orient beach.. eat at Pedro's or Baywatch.....

Hi
I'm not certain what beach we should see. We only have a few hours and don't want to waste time trying to find the right spot!

I've heard of a fun place called Its All Cool! Is that any place you'd recommend?
Thanks

Since it is hard to know your likes and dislikes it is also difficult to say which beach would be best for you. As Barbera said the beach in Philipsburg is close and shopping and beach bars are also close. Many cruisers head to the French side and Orient Beach out of curiosity because of the clothing optional portion. One hundred people with Bermuda shorts, sandals and socks trying to take pictures of middle aged naturists is not fun for either side.
If that is what you would like to do go there however if not stay close to Philipsburg, get a sample of the island and if interested come back without the boat.

All Cool is closed

dear cruisin,

take a cab to the Kakao area of Orient beach. "Condenast" highlights its restaurant in this months issue.

Riptide

Excellent suggestion! Great beach, great restaurant. Try the Salade Nicoise.

Thanks!

Keep those ideas coming! If it helps, I'll have 2 seventeen year old girls with me. The shopping sounds like something they would like. I think the closest, pretty beach with some fun restaurants would be great.

We'd love to come back without the boat - perhaps this summer. THe problem is expensive flights and limited info. on places to stay - I'd need a 4 bedroom or 2 - 2 bedrooms (5 kids ages 17 - 23). If anyone has any ideas for that, let me know!

Cruisin!

crusin,

summertime is a good time to visit sxm. it is considered the off season.
a two bedroom at the Atrium sleeps 6. two people per bedroom and two on the convertable couch. a studio their sleeps two.
all the information that you could need is posted on Jeff Berger's blog. "everythingsaintmarten" jmb communications.
he posts the cheapest flights, bargain hotel & timeshare accomodations.
car rentals etc.

regards

does anyone have any feed back from the sunnyliston tours, is it worth the time,or should we go out on our own?