Who in their right mind stays for hours at Maho beach on purpose?! Also, the island has quite a few tourists, I don't think they really "need" cruise people.
David--this morning, there are some chairs and umbrellas right up against Sunset, but because of the way the sand is, only a few. There is very little sand on the end by Sunset and it is tilted way down. No one HAS to stand. Most people have towels and are lying down. There are chairs at the other end of the beach also, yellow and white ones. I assume the yellow ones are for the hotels though.
Over priced short drinks the last time a couple of years ago. Will not be returning. My point with the chairs umbrella's is that "SS" knows how many ships are coming in per day. The 'few" set-ups they put out for these new-bees to "our" island is an insult to these paying cruisers!!! Today Jan 28th there are FIVE big ships in. Check out the camera around 11:00 am that beach will be wall to wall people with no place to relax, having to stand ALL day!! If this is there first impression of SXM, it's not a good one!! That is my point. If we want more tourists to stay for a vacation, we have to show them that in fact we are "The friendly island"!!!
David-- They have always had chairs and umbrellas at Sunset. Could be there wasn't any sand, etc., at some points, so there weren't umbrellas out. Have you BEEN to Sunset recently?? They have a pool there now. It is not the old Sunset at all!! Very upscale now. Definitely NOT an outhouse there. Now Driftwood, that is bad. As far as taxis from Orient, one needs to head back from Orient earlier than you think necessary, but there are definitely lots of taxis around on Orient. But arranging return transfers ahead of time is a good idea. No need to take the cattle car bus.
With all due respect. Since I started posting on FB about no chairs and umbrellas. They started to bring them out. I have the Tortuga cam On everyday that I'm home. I watch in horror for these passengers standing ALL day!!! Thinking what a bad taste in there mouths they would have about "our island"!!! I remember the tourist would get a free rum punch at the beach on Orient. Cabs??? When they leave, they leave. I've seen people stranded on Orient. You and Eric are seasoned travelers. You know to tip the driver to when he is to return. They don't know that. That's why I said take the bus. I have not seen the bathroom at Sunset in a long time, but if it was anything like the old days???LOL!!! The "outhouse" at Drift isn't much better!!! LOL!! My point is that anyone reading this post, needs to ask questions about the excursion to Maho and what is included.
David--sorry, a lot of what you say is not true. You see chairs and umbrellas in the first screen shot. There is food available at Driftwood and Sunset. As far as bathrooms are concerned, they do have bathrooms at Sunset BB. The bathroom they have at Driftwood is for TRUE emergencies only. As far as wall to wall people, now THAT is true. I really don't have any idea what they charge to go to Maho, but as far as I know, it's billed as just transportation.
Maho versus Orient is a whole different experience. There is no reason to book a ship shore excursion to Orient. Just walk to the row of taxis and take one to Orient. Then check out the various restaurants once you get there and decide where you want to park yourself for the day. We were on SXM on a ship in November. We got a private taxi, just for the two of us. Can't remember how much it was, but it wasn't much. We had a lovely long lunch on the beach, which is exactly what we wanted. We did arrange a time in advance for him to pick us up. Easy peasy. BUT you don't have the experience of planes landing over your head.
I feel like I have to inform all you cruisers that when booking a day trip to the most exciting beach on the island of St. Martin at Maho beach!!! What they don't tell you, that they drop you off at Maho beach on the Dutch side of the island with NO chairs or umbrellas. Leaving you to stand all day, no bathrooms either!!! SMH!!! See for yourself. This is the camera way above Tortuga restaurant (amazing food, great views too!!) over looking Maho beach and PJIA . On busy days when there is more than a few ships in, this beach is wall to wall crowded!!! Pay the extra money, take the Orient beach day trip!! There you will find chairs umbrellas and beach food/drink service!!! You'll thank me!!!
Enjoy your stay. A trip to the Pitons is worth it (although climbing either one is a major effort); the mud baths are so-so, I was given a free excursion there so I did the trip. I don't know if they offer a boat trip to the Pitons but that would be more fun than a road trip.
Thanks for the info! We are planning on just hunkering down at the AI. The kid and I may do a ATV tour but that would be the extent of it all. Appreciate the response.
The resort itself is nice, and the beach is pretty, but it is on the windward side of the island, which means it can get a lot of sargassum when conditions are wrong. There is absolutely nothing else close by apart from the airport and Vieux Fort. The town has one main strip with little to offer visitors; it is not a tourist destination. The main city (well, only real city) is Castries, and it, as well as the bulk of the resorts in Rodney Bay/Gros Islet, are at the opposite end of the island - over an hour's drive away.
If you plan on staying at the resort and enjoying the "all-in" then it is fine, but going anywhere interesting is going to be a long trip. The Pitons are worth visiting, and they are about halfway between the airport and Gros Islet. Despite being a small island, or perhaps because of that, the traffic can be horrible. It can take 1 hour to get from Castries to Gros Islet if you get the wrong time of day, and traversing the island north-south (there are only 2 roads that do that) means crossing the hills, and there will almost always be a traffic jam due to some overloaded truck that can't get past 2nd gear.
Keep you wits about you and your head on a swivel and your dinghy locked as crime on some of the islands is out of control. That said the seas, beaches and islands are very beautiful. My favorite island it the area is Bequia. Drink at the Whaleboner bar, drinks and service are not very good but where else can you drink from a whale rib bar while sitting on whale vertebra barstools? Walk the waterfront and dine at the Plantation Hotel. Don't miss a stop in Mustique for a drink at Basils Bar and a fine dinner at the Cotton House. If open, the Firefly Hotel has a wonderful bar with a spectacular view. The bay on the north end of Mayreau is very nice. Here and everywhere you go ignore the boat "boys" that come out to "assist" and anchor where you feel is best. In the Grenadines you can and should visit Petit Tabac, it's where Johnny Dep had his rum set ablaze. Take your dinghy through the poorly marked cut in the reef to reach it. The beach bbq in the Grenadines is fun and picturesque but expect massive amounts of mediocre food. Just a bit further south is Mopion Island, Petite St. Vincent (whole island seems to be a resort and they charge to land), and Petite Martinique. Petite Martinique is unique as the locals, while dark skinned often consider themselves Scottish. I recommend the Palm Restaurant and Bar, the family that runs it are beyond nice. Sandy Island off the west coast of Carriacou is a wonderful anchorage with amazing snorkeling. I really don't care for Union Island but it's a must to clear in and out. Anchor near Happy Island and enjoy it before taking the dinghy into the cool dinghy dock in Clifton Harbor. The "Boat Boys" here are awful. As someone who has sailed the BVI over a dozen times and really loves it I find the Grenadines more beautiful, more interesting, and more even more fun than the BVI.
Have a great trip! I'll be there on my boat this fall.
My dream is a trip to Nazare, Portugal to see its huge waves. Any advice about what else is interesting there in half an hour drive? (gonna rent a car)
Dominica if you like eco-tourism, St. Bart's if you want "French Sophistication" on a small island, Grenada or St. Lucia if you crave a mountainous island with lush tropical feel, Grand Cayman if you desire something more cosmopolitan but flat and arid like Anguilla, or St. Vincent & The Grenadines if you want an experience island hopping similar to the BVI's, Barbados for the reasons mentioned by islandVet88 and perhaps Bonaire if you crave excellent snorkeling and dive sites.
One idea that comes to mind is Grenada. It has that off the beaten path charm, with stunning beaches like Grand Anse, awesome local culture, and fewer crowds than the more commercialized islands. Plus, the island’s spice plantations and nature give you more to explore beyond the beach.
Barbados is another great option. It’s easy to navigate, has a solid mix of swimmable beaches and wild surf spots, and the restaurant scene is genuinely impressive. You can stay on the calmer west coast or head to the south for a livelier vibe.
We have traveled many times and chartered a cat in the BVI, but this will be our first visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Staying a few days on Bequia at Bequia Beach, Cat for 6 days through the Grenadines, and last couple days on Granada at Mount Cinnamon. Any ideas on what not to miss? Enjoy light hiking/exploring, beach bars, live music, local flare. Thanks in advance.
Fourth trip happening in March. Have not been there since 2010 but I do notice significant new developments with beach chair rentals as I browse https://www.insandoutsbarbados.com/.
Beside Accra Hotel there is a cluster of refreshment huts and I know that via Patricia we rented chairs.
Don't miss the Mac n Cheese at a Chefette!
The last time we went I actually checked a couple of beach umbrellas and left them behind in our VRBO for the next visitor. We like to take our umbrellas, cooler & blanket and explore. Bottom Bay, Foul Bay, Crane (turn left away from the resort beach), Cattlewash near Bathsheba will all give you unique beach experiences. From what I have seen online many of these formerly deserted beaches now have some facilities.
would have been a totally different game if the Niners defense was healthy!!! BUT for sure the NFC west ruled to field this year!! Hawks could go all the way now!!!
Well that brought back memories of some great trips to KW going back half a century. I used to love Alonzo's half-price happy hour and their superb margaritas. Not sure we could ever do one and done in the afternoon though ...
