St. Maarten Beaches

We will be in St. Maarten on the Harmony in June and was wondering if anyone can help us decide which beach would be best to visit for a family post Hurricane Irma. I've been reading different opinions on some being hard to get to because of traffic and some that are destroyed because of the hurricane.

We were thinking maybe Mullet Bay or Grand Case Beach. Anyone been to this port recently that can shed some light for us? Thanks!!!

highly recommend going here - http://karakterstmaarten.com/ - we were just there in April from AOS

absolutely beautiful, chairs and umbrellas are free (try to get there early) and food and booze is good and relatively inexpensive

Mullet is definitely in good shape. The high sand dune was down to about 4' last week but it had a ton of chairs on it that our cat guide said were owned by the restaurants (although none were visible from the water). The concrete walkway along the left (from shore) is in pieces.

The big problem was traffic last week. Solid line of cars/buses from town to the pier and folks we talked to said it took an hour or more each way for that 3/4 mile stretch. And that was before the other two cruise ships arrived, lasting all day long. If you decide to take a cab watch for the traffic and either walk back to the ship from town or take the water taxi.

Everyone we talked to was glad to have the cruise ships back and spending money. Only a few hotels are open, so that part of the tourist business is still way down.

Mullet is definitely in good shape. The high sand dune was down to about 4' last week but it had a ton of chairs on it that our cat guide said were owned by the restaurants (although none were visible from the water). The concrete walkway along the left (from shore) is in pieces.

 

The big problem was traffic last week. Solid line of cars/buses from town to the pier and folks we talked to said it took an hour or more each way for that 3/4 mile stretch. And that was before the other two cruise ships arrived, lasting all day long. If you decide to take a cab watch for the traffic and either walk back to the ship from town or take the water taxi.

 

Everyone we talked to was glad to have the cruise ships back and spending money. Only a few hotels are open, so that part of the tourist business is still way down.

I don’t remember a concrete walkway at Mullet. Where would this be?

We enjoyed our day at Mullet Bay last week. Rosie’s is still there though the structure was destroyed. She has picnic tables and was BBQing ribs and serving rice and salad and also drinks from a cooler. There is a portapotty. Chairs or umbrellas are 5.00 each. We took the public bus there and back.

When we got there, there were 3 excursion boats anchored, it was quieter once they left.

Here are a few pics:

Looking left:

Looking right:

Rosie’s:

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I don’t remember a concrete walkway at Mullet. Where would this be?

It was kind of a weird looking walkway and gazebo-like structure from the beach to the point on the airport side. Very visible and in use two years ago. This visit it looked like an undersea ruins, although some folks were walking up there.

It was kind of a weird looking walkway and gazebo-like structure from the beach to the point on the airport side. Very visible and in use two years ago. This visit it looked like an undersea ruins, although some folks were walking up there.

I see what you are speaking of. I don't remember it being in use 2 years ago though. This is not part of the main beach and should not affect anyone's visit to Mullet.

highly recommend going here - http://karakterstmaarten.com/ - we were just there in April from AOS

absolutely beautiful, chairs and umbrellas are free (try to get there early) and food and booze is good and relatively inexpensive

We will be there in June on Anthem and the ship doesnt arrive till around noon. How was the traffic getting there and coming back? Wondering how much time we should plan for each way.

We took the $7 r/t water taxi to the main beach. The ride was short and fun. You could easily walk it if you chose to (maybe 1/3 mile?). Best beach on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Head down to the guys at Burger Madness and Lizzy's beach bar. They'll give you a good deal on the chairs & umbrella ($20 for the day). The guys up front charging you $15 will spring it on you later that it's for 1/2 a day. Drinks are reasonably priced, internet (slow) is free, and the water is beautiful and refreshing. You do have to deal with ubiquitous vendors offering wares, but they're polite and not overly pushy.

We took the $7 r/t water taxi to the main beach. The ride was short and fun. You could easily walk it if you chose to (maybe 1/3 mile?). Best beach on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Head down to the guys at Burger Madness and Lizzy's beach bar. They'll give you a good deal on the chairs & umbrella ($20 for the day). The guys up front charging you $15 will spring it on you later that it's for 1/2 a day. Drinks are reasonably priced, internet (slow) is free, and the water is beautiful and refreshing. You do have to deal with ubiquitous vendors offering wares, but they're polite and not overly pushy.

WAMarathoner, where did you get on the water taxi and which beach did it take you to? We are trying to find an easy beach day with the kids. Thanks!

bump

Water taxi takes you right to the beach

WAMarathoner, where did you get on the water taxi and which beach did it take you to? We are trying to find an easy beach day with the kids. Thanks!

Water taxi is at pier. Only problem is that the only beach it goes to is great bay beach.

Taking a taxi to Mullet or Simpson Bay or Grand Case beach at Rainbow Cafe would be a better option IMO

Are you able to see the planes from the beach that the water taxi takes you to?

No.

We enjoyed our day at Mullet Bay last week. Rosie’s is still there though the structure was destroyed. She has picnic tables and was BBQing ribs and serving rice and salad and also drinks from a cooler. There is a portapotty. Chairs or umbrellas are 5.00 each. We took the public bus there and back.

 

 

Where and how do you get the public bus? How much is the cost and did you have any problems getting back? Thank you

How much are taxis to mullet bay or is there a local bus?

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Taxis are generally $8 per person each way. There is a public bus - more like a 15-passenger van - that goes to Mullet Bay / Maho on a regular basis. Just head to Back Street that runs parallel to Front Street and the boardwalk. The bus will have a placard in the window that says "Mullet Bay" or "Maho". Flag down the driver and enjoy the ride. The cost is $2, and you pay when you exit. You can also catch the bus back to Philipsburg at the round-about just before you get to Maho Beach. It is a great way to enjoy the island and super easy. We have always done the bus when going to Mullet Bay, we never take a taxi.

Mullet Bay was terrible if you have kids IMO. We were just there this past week and the drop off from where the sand/chairs are to where the water is, was a pretty big drop off/incline. Also the waves were very strong and there are a TON of rocks when you first enter the water. All of this equals to a not so great time for kids. Plus it's $18 per person to get from the pier to Mullet Bay via taxi.

The person who recommended the $7-8 roundtrip water taxi from the pier to a different beach is the best way to go! Plus you get 2 beach chairs and an umbrella as well!

Maho beach is also NOT for kids. Full of young adults and adults, lots of drinking. No shade, no beach chairs, very crowded.

Mullet Bay was terrible if you have kids IMO. We were just there this past week and the drop off from where the sand/chairs are to where the water is, was a pretty big drop off/incline. Also the waves were very strong and there are a TON of rocks when you first enter the water. All of this equals to a not so great time for kids. Plus it's $18 per person to get from the pier to Mullet Bay via taxi.

 

The person who recommended the $7-8 roundtrip water taxi from the pier to a different beach is the best way to go! Plus you get 2 beach chairs and an umbrella as well!

 

Maho beach is also NOT for kids. Full of young adults and adults, lots of drinking. No shade, no beach chairs, very crowded.

The water where the water taxi drops you off has ongoing pollution issues and there is plenty of drinking done at that beach as well.

The water where the water taxi drops you off has ongoing pollution issues and there is plenty of drinking done at that beach as well.

Looks like it's no win situation then. St Thomas and Tortola were 100x nicer than St Maarten's beach. Orient Beach was nice before the storm. Labadee was so much more enjoyable than Mullet Bay.

Looks like it's no win situation then. St Thomas and Tortola were 100x nicer than St Maarten's beach. Orient Beach was nice before the storm. Labadee was so much more enjoyable than Mullet Bay.

Interesting how the same places can be such a different experience for different people. St Maarten was by far our favorite stop on our last cruise - we did the Mullet Bay / Maho Beach thing and had a great time - even the younger ones. I guess that is why we value when people report back on what they experienced and then everyone can see both the pros and the cons and decide for themselves.