29 hours into our 1st visit and very happy. Dinner at Marks last night, very good. Heavy passing showers last night and again this afternoon, all good. Dinner at Skipjacks tonight, excellent!
Looking for beach recommendations for the weekend-any thoughts on clean/calm beaches with good facilities for the weekend? We understand that locals frequent many beaches on the weekends- any thoughts on "quieter" beaches for the weekend? Great time at Royal Palm- pleasantly surprised- top floor unit, great view, decently updated. Thanks all!

See my answer to the same question you asked in another thread.

Thanks. Wifi connection is lousy and recd an error as if it never posted.

I wouldn't get overly carried away trying to avoid the popular beaches just because it's the weekend. Sundays tend to be more of a local residents' beach day than Saturday, and this time of year, with fewer tourists on the island, I doubt any of the beaches will be overrun with people.

Jazzgal's recommendation of Anse Marcel beach is spot on, and is exactly what you're asking for. Even though the restaurant there is upscale, all beachside restaurants are casual, and as long as you have a coverup on over your swimsuit, you'll be appropriately dressed.

Glad you're enjoying your trip and Royal Palm so far.

I have to admit that I am always somewhat taken aback by these posts asking where to go so as to avoid the locals.
Perhaps it isn't meant the way it sounds, but it does sound offensive IMO.
our beaches are never very crowded unless it is a holiday .. there is always room to get away from the locals if that is what you want.

lets hope that that ktziff really meant 'crowds' not 'locals'.

The so called "locals" are one of the reasons we go to St. Maarten. They are wonderful people and we visitors or tourists have to remember that St. Maarten is their island and home. We will be landing on the island in 22 hours.

Yes, I certainly meant crowds, not locals persay. I've heard many reports on this board that stated that locals overcrowd the beaches on the weekends. Sorry for any confusion.

Actually the cruise ship people crowd the beaches more than anyone. I enjoy seeing the locals have fun on their own beaches. When they bring their families it is even better.

The initial question is a good question that I have experienced many time in St Martin.

I actually stay with locals when I go to St Martin, so it is not that I want to avoid them. That being said, beaches like Pinel and Le Galion tend to get really crowded with locals on the weekends and especially holidays. That means lots of people and lots of noise. Whereas Orient Beach is not as crowded then because the cruise ships come in during the week. More locals are there, but a lot fewer tourists.

During high season, there are cruise ships every day, some days several and that includes most Saturdays and Sundays.

Just read Carnival is building 4 supersized ships by 2019. They will accommodate 6,600 cruisers! Lots o' luck SXM. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Get to this beach front early! Great food music and lovely beach!! Karakters!!!! http://www.karakterstmaarten.com/

I am not sure about that. If you go to the cruise ship schedule on this site, you will see a lot of weekends and Mondays with no ships in port. I know the list may not be complete, but I have walked a very empty Orient Beach on a Saturday afternoon.

Our cruise ship schedule is not up to date. We have been meaning to just link the SXM port authority site, and will eventually get around to it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Carol,
Your schedule is out of date, but my point is still valid. I looked at the port website and there are some ships in on the weekends, but still not that many. I remember walking a nearly empty beach on a weekend in March.

RobT,
With all due respect, that you may have walked on OB on the occasional weekend in March and found it under-populated, I'll still put my money on Soualiga Captain's knowledge and perspective. He does live there and frequents this beach and beach area regularly all year long, besides needing to be aware of the ships in port for personal reasons. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />