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First time visitor questions #280276
04/14/2022 10:02 PM
04/14/2022 10:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 44
Colorful Colorado!
T
thefosterfarm Offline OP
Traveler
thefosterfarm  Offline OP
Traveler
T
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 44
Colorful Colorado!
After a dry few years, we are anxious to explore more of the Caribbean not yet visited. We are looking at St. Maarten, but a relative suggested skipping and heading straight to Saba for some R&R. Would like opinions on preferred areas for first time visitors to stay on St. Maarten as well as Saba. Looking for adventure, snorkeling, diving, hiking, but a quite place to stay at night! Not into huge crowds, love little bars and local food joints. Thanks for any and all suggestions!


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Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280290
04/15/2022 07:36 AM
04/15/2022 07:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Offline
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SXMBND  Offline
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S
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
Sounds like Saba is right for you.

Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280312
04/15/2022 10:44 AM
04/15/2022 10:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
It's a great Diving destination.

Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280314
04/15/2022 10:49 AM
04/15/2022 10:49 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
To ME, Saba would be TOO quiet, for more than a day or two, but everyone is different. I also don't dive.


Carol Hill
Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280335
04/15/2022 02:21 PM
04/15/2022 02:21 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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pony600  Offline
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Posts: 1,297
CT
If you choose St Martin, the French side would suit you. Saba is lovely, but no swimming beaches.


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Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280483
04/17/2022 04:48 AM
04/17/2022 04:48 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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Colour1  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Sounds like you'll need to book a few weeks to get that all in. There's scuba shop on Airport road (St. Martin), lovely people that run it! Here's the link: http://www.thescubashop.net/?fbclid=IwAR3MDzL2u0A-2H5VVZfefPQkfOcP6DvKYZCV-JihhXVR-y7CRGDpQXFQCTM


Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280496
04/17/2022 09:54 AM
04/17/2022 09:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
tff,

We have vacationed on SXM for almost fifty years annually but we have stepped off the beaten path to check out many of the other islands.

The differences between Saba and St. Maarten are monumental. If you really want to chill Saba is the place to go. We stayed three or four nights at Queen’s Garden Inn and it was wonderful. But too quiet for words if you didn’t want to seriously chill. I think I read three books while there. No major active hotels but incredible diving and hiking and a photographers dream. And as already stated, no beaches to speak of but QGI does have a nice pool.

As to which side on SXM, we prefer the Dutch side but that’s us. Plenty to do if you want to and great places to chill if that’s your choice. Check out Mary’s Boon and our personal favorite, Beachside Villas. Both are small properties and on the beach. BSV has a lovely pool that doesn’t get used much and plenty of chaises around the pool.o


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: First time visitor questions [Re: thefosterfarm] #280528
04/17/2022 05:26 PM
04/17/2022 05:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom Offline
Traveler
Tom  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
You have received sound advice from others. You will likely catch a main flight into SXM and then a quick, short hop to Saba. I've know many scuba enthusiasts that only know Sint Maarten as a stopover to Saba. Casinos, incredible gourmet, cuisine, white sandy beaches, Caribbean shopping, that's Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin. Quiet, good diving experience, local small food bar/restaurants, hiking, that's Saba. We are returning to our long time (35+ years SXM) vacation love later this year.


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