SnorkelAway

I have never heard of the guard at the entrance of Divi checking for a booking. I suggest you just get a taxi and go there - don't worry about an advance booking.

It is not.

Wow - great to hear about Francis.

i do not think Francis is on a ship at this time. We would love to see him get back on a ship.

Just to add to advice above, call the dive shop after looking online and talk to them about possibilities. Confirm conversation - if you book - with emails both immediately and day before you arrive on island. Dive shop people almost certainly speak fluent english - easy to just call and talk.

Agree with what Port Royal said but would add that availability of golf cart type shuttle is pretty unreliable. You could check with guest services about availability of shuttle or wheel chair assistance at pier to get to taxi stand. They should be able to offer some help on what may be available when you disembark.

Lots of choices given your great 12 hour port time. You can check some websites to see what looks good to you in your price range. https://sailingsxm.com/tours/eco-tour-sail-and-snorkel https://www.sailstmaarten.com/ https://www.soualigadestinations.com/ https://www.captainalan.com/SPECIAL/index.htm https://www.randomwind.com/ There are others, but I am familiar with above.

There is a ferry from french-side cul-de-sac to Pinel. There is no pier at Orient Beach. Some watersports guys have been available in past to run you over to Pinel in a boat or on a jetski from Orient but I cannot say who at this time.

The Elite Personal Consultant to which I refer is an employee of Regent. Not onboard. In office in Miami.

If I book a Regent cruise with a Regent Elite Personal Consultant, can the Consultant give me OBC as a TA might? If not, why would I use the Regent consultant to book?

Yes, you can rent jet skis at Divi.

On dutch-side, prices are shown in dollars, normally. French-side uses euro.

Last there in August. A day pass is not required. You can rent chairs and umbrellas on the beach (assuming you find a beach boy working), and eat and drink at the restaurants and bars.

I would recommend Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Pretty close to pier. Taxi $6 per person I think. Not sure about car seat issue. Good restrooms and eating options. Water usually very calm.

No. There is only the water taxi to Philipsburg.

As a single, you may want to ask on Roll Call for one or more people to share a taxi. Taxi is usually better, but as a single, you might want to go with others.

Taxi availability is back to pre-Covid normal, I would say.

Yes, ruins of CLub O, including Papagaya still there.

Yes, they still are there.

You can book direct online with both Random Wind and Eagle - no need to use Viator for this (I have nothing against Viator and have used them many times). We have done excursions with both Random Wind and Eagle. We went on the old Random Wind many times - have only been on the new Random Wind (a cat) once. Have done various excursions with Eagle - have been on both Too Rhum Punch and Quality Time - last one in August 2022 was the Eco-Tour. If you are very interested in snorkeling, then Eagle may be better choice - but depends on which Eagle tour you can take on a port of call visit. If you are limited to a relatively short in time shore excursion both boats may just stop at Little Bay, Long Bay, and/or Mullett. None of those three has great snorkeling, but Little Bay may offer best.I think all Eagle tours leave from Bobby's marina, pretty close to pier. With Random Wind you need to talk with them (or use email) to make sure they know you want pick-up at Bobby's Marina. Look at both websites - call them to get more information if you want - and pick one. Either one will have a good crew and give you a very enjoyable day.

I am unaware of any decent snorkeling at Mullet.

No need for reservations. Last I know, $5 per chair and per umbrella. Do not need to buy anything to use beach. Last I know, $6 per person for taxi from pier to Divi Little Bay.

Pinel has calm water - $35 per person is you are a family group is pretty expensive - you could use a taxi for less but make sure you will be picked up for return to ship. Divi Little Bay might be a better choice - easier and cheaper to get to - usually pretty calm water. Galion beach is very calm - not sure if anything is there now other than beach itself - again, if using taxi, have to make sure of pick-up for return to ship. I would recommend Little Bay.

Some information here: http://www.info-res.com/orientmassage/ https://www.vitalita-sxm.com/massages You can get a message at your chair from a vendor on the beach for significantly less - you can bargain with them if interested.

Yes. There are lots of places that are not clothing optional at which to rent chairs and umbrellas. Orient Beach is about 1.3 miles - the C/O section is about 0.25 miles.