TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Orient Beach - Clothing Optional

My wife and I will be on the island next week. We will have our own chairs and umbrella. Is it ok to use them on the clothing optional side?

There really isn't a strictly CO side now. Would think it would be just fine if you did. Check out this discussion.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...h-lite-taxi-parking-sign.html#Post159551

As Scubaman said, there really isn't a clothing optional side any more, as there are very few places even renting chairs right now. Most of the people are congregating on the Club O section, just because that's almost the only place where you can get chairs, food and drinks and have a rudimentary toilet. You always could bring your own chairs and umbrella to Club O. It used to be that you would need to place them behind Club O chairs, but now there really are not that many chairs that they put out, so you should be able to find a spot on the water along a wide stretch of beach. Enjoy!

Sounds good. Thank you

Have you thought about renting them from Cedric & Alain?

People do bring their own chairs and umbrellas. Never seen a problem with this. See you next week. We leave Monday morning.

The applicable law has not changed. Nudity is officially tolerated/permitted on the southeast part of the beach from the public access road that runs between the Club O boundary (where the wall was), and where Pedro's was, to the southeast end of the beach - basically, the "Club O beach." It is "clothing optional" because nudity has never been required either on the beach or on any part of the Club O grounds.

Not sure what is meant by a statement that there is not a clothing optional side now. There is a clothing optional part of the beach. The difference from pre-Irma being that many people who might not otherwise have gone to the clothing optional part of Orient, go there now because that is where there are some facilities and that is where taxis are bringing people. Another difference being that more people than pre-Irma who are coming to the clothing optional part of the beach either do not understand or do not care about what many consider proper beach etiquette.

Club O has certain concessionary rights with regard to the Club O beach that it may claim and exercise when it resumes operations – such as its past rules providing for no cameras, no beach vendors, and limitations on the placement of private chairs and umbrellas.

North of the access road - past the "rocks," nudity is not officially tolerated and the beach is not clothing optional (with a possible exception not relevant here).

It's not a problem I just meant to support the beach people during this time.

We're staying in Grand Case in three weeks, but planning on spending much of our time at the Club O section. Do I understand that there is a beach chair/umbrella concession at that section? How much is it per week (calculating how much cash to bring.)

Thanks.

Two lounges, an umbrella $20 per day. Don't know if they are doing the weekly rentals at this time.

It was $18 a day in February, 2 chairs and one umbrella, don't think there was a weekly option

Thanks--daily rentals probably best for us this trip.

Does anyone out there have any updates about construction and rebuilding north of the old Pedro's? Just curious. As much as I love the Club Orient portion of Orient Beach, we also enjoy spending time 'north of the rocks' and have some great times at places like Kakao, etc. Not to mention some really good meals! I'm hoping some of those places can have some type of temporary facilities up-and-running by this fall. Next Sunday (5/6/18) marks eight full months since Irma struck, and I would think at this point most insurance claims should be settled and some type of construction should be underway. For an island economy that relies so much on tourism the return of a thriving Orient Beach is critical, IMO.

Bikini and La Playa are definitely under construction at this time. Not sure about the others yet, but we'll be there next week and I'll report back with first-hand information!

It's not so much insurance problems, but lack of government on the French side providing the necessary guidance in whatever the new building rules will be. Sad situation.

The French side government is really letting everyone down and preventing rebuilding.. It's a shame.

Would love to hear an update on LaPlaya when you are there!

Thanks for all the above input. I realize that the proper construction is essential, and it is reasonable to believe that the French government wants to rebuild this area in the correct manner. But, in reality unless fortresses were constructed on Orient Beach nothing is going to fare well against another Cat 5 hurricane with 180 mph winds and the storm surge. Is it conceivable to have temporary units on wheels that featured cooking facilities, canopies, etc. that could be closed-up say 72 hours before the next 'big one' strikes and transported to a safe storage area? Just asking. Another trailer-type unit could store beach chairs and umbrellas, albeit with a limited number. I'm thinking about fairs and events I have attended in the states that set up several days in advance, conduct business, and disassemble and move on to the next city. I wouldn't be in favor of a 'carnival' type atmosphere on Orient Beach, but a few temporary places for cruise ship passengers and other visitors might be nice and help bring in much needed tourism dollars. Is this a dumb idea?

We will definitely do our best to provide that! La Playa became our new favorite on Orient after Bruno became involved.

Selfishly, I hope that LaPlaya is operational by June, when we are there...

LOL, I'm hoping for next week! It's a pipe dream, I'm sure.

We'll be there in 2 weeks. Hoping for the same.

What a strange thing to say. The fact that Club O is not operational at the moment has not changed the laws governing nudity on Orient beach. You may still be nude in front of Club O property. C/O laws do not flow from Club O, rather from the French government. I would think the last thing the government is concerned with given the monumental problems wrought by the hurricane would be changing the C/O atmosphere at Orient.
That being said this cruiser v naturalist nonsense is just that, nonsense. Live and let live. The problem comes when people from either group attempt to impose thier own opinions on others. You dont like nudity dont go where it is practiced and if you want to share that beautiful beach where it is practiced keep your opinions to yourself. Same for those naturalists who feel it necessary to deride those who choose to stay clothed.
Thats it except to say we cant wait for our next visit to Orient.

These are very good points you are making, Hdrdr911. Some time ago I had a discussion with a woman online who was a strong advocate of 'required nudity' on the southern end of Orient Beach. She had issues with others in swimsuits entering this area and gawking at everyone. She even appealed to Club Orient to establish a policy requiring this (similar to some of the couples beaches in Jamaica). I prefer not to 'butt heads' with any one (no pun intended), but I told her I thought this would be a big mistake for several reasons.

First, most people just don't become nudists or go nude on a beach all at once. When people visit from cruise ships and take an excursion to Orient Beach I would assume that many of them know what the standards are on this beach. It's natural human curiosity to observe something they have never seen in the past. Many people won't venture south of the rocks, but many others do. Some people will do this one time and be done with it, while others will want to give the 'natural look' a try. And, some of those who give it a try will see how awesome this experience is, and vow to return here every year. Club Orient -- once it is rebuilt -- will need the next generation of people to fill their rooms someday, and this is where some of them will come from.

Second, is that those of us who frequent the clothing optional beach and partake in this without our suits need to reach out to those who are curious. I realize this is not an easy thing to do, but many times I have talked and encouraged cruise ship visitors laying out with my wife and I at places like Kontiki, Kakao, etc. to give this try. Sometimes they look at me like I'm crazy, but other times I was successful and got them to join me. I'll finish with yet another story from a few years ago. A young woman (35 or 40?) was walking the beach and came up along side me as we were approaching the narrowing by Pedro's. She said "time to turn around, even though that's always been on my bucket list!" So, I stopped and said "what, walking down through the clothing optional section?" She nodded, and replied "just not sure I can do that." I said "C'mon, nothing to it! Let me show you how easy this is."

I could tell she was apprehensive, but did follow me around the rocks and past the purple chairs that Pedro's used to put out. We reached a lone palm tree just prior to the Perch Lite bar, and I showed her what I did when visiting the c/o beach. "Just do it, I told her. No one here cares what you look like, trust me!" With that I removed my suit, bid her farewell and went on with my walk. I'd like to be able to say she 'followed suit' with my example, but she was nervous and I tried to respect her privacy at this moment. I can't say if she ever did get this 'off her bucket list', but at least I made an attempt to someone who was thinking about doing this. I just think encouraging others is something we all should do when those opportunities arise. I know I will when I return this fall!

Very well said in the last two replies

Hdrdr911 & SammyM, thank you for these posts. There is no "nudity required" section of these public beaches. One would think that common sense and courtesy - especially regarding photography - would prevail; but one would be wrong.
Two points that stood out to me from these posts: Neither "side" should impose their values on the other - if you don't want to see nudity, don't go where you know you'll see it and then complain; there are other choices. And CO will need the next generation to fill their rooms someday. Those of us of a certain generation realize this, and welcome curious visitors.

Hdrdr911 makes good points. My only problem is (from what I am reading) that people coming over to the Club Orient Beach Club side are not respecting the "no photography" rule and there is no security to enforce it. I don't care if people are coming over to satisfy their curiosity; just don't take pictures of me and others and share them with your friends when you get home.

Club O has always been the enforcer of the no camera policy with the full support of the French government. Until security is reestablished the disrespect will have to be handeled by those of us who choose to go natural. Most people I have encountered taking photos are very cooperative when informed that what they are doing is disrepectful. Not sure but I doubt the Gendarmes would want to get involved in this unless a serious conflict developed.Given the reports Ive seen so far it appears that the beach isnt nearly as crowded as most of us are used to so the potential for that kind of conflict seems to be minimal.

Three weeks until we arrive! You and Georgia will have to really give us lots of info on what's happening!

I wonder why those running the Perch Lite and renting the chairs and umbrellas haven't tried to establish two separate sections...one to the north for those who want to remain clothed, but want to have access to chairs, umbrellas food and a potty and one to the south for those who choose to exercise their "option". I'm not advocating not allowing clothed patrons to "cross the line" (no pun intended) but it seems like a pretty simple way to give all access to the amenities and minimalize any friction. If there are as few people there as seems to be implied, it should be pretty easy.

Also, it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to at least put the "No Photo" sign back on the beach. That would allow patrons to respectfully point out to anyone taking photos that it is against the rules.

When we were there January, Alain the beach chair guy politely asked if we were going to be nude would we mind sitting to the right when facing the water so they could accommodate clothed people to the left. After all they were the only chairs & umbrellas on the entire beach. We said no problem, the more people they can accommodate & get revenue from the better! Sharing is the word this year as many aren't going. Yes putting the sign out for no photos would be ideal & help that situation. We had the best time & everything was just starting a comeback. People going elsewhere have missed so much & a unique experience to help the island we love. We're booked for January!

There are several signs saying no photos now. And honestly, not sure where these reports of disrespect are coming from, as we have seen no sign of that at all. Folks here are talking like there is some big problem, and there is not.

Apparently there are signs there now, which is a good idea. The segregation might get buts in seats, but eventually there's going to be a meet in the middle if everyone is using the facilities. As Elaine said there really isn't a problem. Picture taking at times maybe?

It is like when Irma hit, someone would mention they "heard" something and then false reports would spread. When you have multiple facebook group pages (with a lot of unsubstantiated things posted from what I can see), newsletters, etc., people will read something one place and then post it elsewhere without bothering to check the accuracy. It often gets blown out of proportion or exaggerated by the time it gets repeated.

You guys are there and are able to give first-hand reports and they are often different than what people "hear" or read and then then end up posting here. Thanks.

I've seen pictures being taken from Pedro's rocks around the parking lot, which has gone on forever. I have not seen any altercations, just smiling faces, clothed or not. Has it happened, perhaps. We're only there one or two days a week. Our experiences.

I just finished reading through every response on this thread. No one who has BEEN there is reporting any problems in this thread. The situation currently isn't optimal, especially for everyone who works or worked at places that are currently closed. THEY are the ones who are really having problems now--paying the rent and putting food on the table. People who have BEEN there--and fairly often--are reporting that there are currently not any issues. There are signs about photography now and people who want to exercise their 'option' are invited to sit in one section of chairs. As JD said, soon after the hurricane, we heard that this place was "GONE" or this place was "GONE", when it just wasn't true. Even when the security was fully in place before the hurricane, things would happen from time to time. However, it seems from the reports of people who have BEEN there, that the situation is pretty calm and relatively trouble free. It will be nice when a couple of the big places toward Orient Village open back up, so there will be more places for people to go and more employment for local people. But in the meantime, the 'issues' seem to be very much overblown.

The point at which nudity is allowed on Orient hasnt changed. What has changed is that Club O is no longer operational to the point of providing security on the beach. Common sense and common decency must rule the day. Who in thier right mind points a camera at someone else without thier permission, clothed or not. The rules regarding where nudity on Orient is allowed have not changed, nor has the prohibition on photography in that designated section. It is the perview of the government, not an ad hoc group of Club O employees to enact and enforce the regulations. Anyone clothed or not may enjoy the nude section and any services available there. The only problem here is people seeking to impose thier own beliefs and opinions on others.

[quote Common sense and common decency must rule the day. Who in thier right mind points a camera at someone else without thier permission, clothed or not.

Anyone clothed or not may enjoy the nude section and any services available there. The only problem here is people seeking to impose thier own beliefs and opinions on others.[/quote]

Perfectly stated.

What are the restroom facilities at the Club O end like vs what Chez Leandra has? Or are they one and the same?

What I hear is its a container you pay a young attendant and it is only flushed when full. I believe its the only one on orient.