I am planning my honeymoon and have decided to visit St. Maarten. I will be staying near Dawn Beach. I am from Miami, and love the ocean. I was wondering if there are any regulations regarding lobstering or fishing on the island. Is a license required. Also, are there any good spots that I can swim to from the beach that would be promising areas to catch some "bugs" (lobster). Looking forward to my trip in May. Any general advice: where to eat near dawn beach, good places to shop, romantic places to take my future wife ... would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jose

Congrats on upcoming nuptials. I would recommend the Dinghy Dock for casual dining and great happy hour. 5-7 PM pour your own top shelf drinks for $2.00. They also have friendly staff and are on the marina. If you want to gamble there is a casino at the Westin Dawn Beach, never crowded. Big Fish is another good restaurant in the Oyster Pond area and you have Captain Olivers next to Dinghy Dock for more upscale/casual dining. They have a seafood buffet with lobster on Saturday nights. I've eaten dinner there twice for ala carte but visited many times for drinks. Another nice atmosphere with great views of the marina.

If you rent a car the options are endless: try Orient beach; Grand Case(Bistrot Caribe or Le Cottage) & Marigot to eat; Maho/Simpson Bay area for casino's and also restaurants (Pineapple Petes, Toppers, Greenhouse, Lees -- all casual dining); Philips burg for shopping and also offers casual and upscale dining by the water.

Does Captain Olivers have a dress code? I know not to wear tank tops and t-shirts, but can you wear a shirt without a collar (My husband).

Melissa

Hi Jose,

You can fish and swim and catch things. You cannot use a speargun.
Have a wonderful honeymoon!

irina

I'm in Miami also!

no dress code

[barcann.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info everyone. Can't wait.

@ Jose & Irina: Actually you can swim but you cannot catch anything, and do not!.... all the waters on that side are within the natural reserve and the marine park.
@ Melissa: no dress code as long as people are "clean" and "decent"...LOL

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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absolutely important message to irina and Jose.
do NOT catch anything
it is all protected waters.

[barcann.livejournal.com]

LOL I didn't catch where he was staying! Was thinking more of Simpson Bay, lagoon etc.
I know people fish by Point Piroutte, off Pelican Key etc.
Sorry.
Cheers
irina

Thanks for the help. When I get there I am going to ask in the local dive shops what I can and can not do as far as fishing and lobstering.

Counting the days,

jose