Cheap/free ideas

[sparkysj]

We are considering taking a cruise here next year and are looking for cheap/free ideas of things to do. We have our 3 kids going (21, 18 & 4) plus other family and a nude beach is not something we want to do LOL. I have never been here but since we know of many cheap things to do on other islands (ex Bahamas) which cruise we pick may come down to that. I would really appreciate any ideas and thank you!

[gtaylor]

First, a question. Does 'ex Bahamas' mean example, Bahamas, or except Bahamas?

 

There's nothing here like the temporarily relocated Straw Market in Nassau at the pier, but there is a somewhat equivalent area behind the Courthouse on Frontstreet. (Walking distance from the Cruise Facility)

 

The biggest free opportunity here is window shopping. A Hundred shops, and if you're on a budget window shop and enjoy, but for the record, table linens are a fantastic buy here, so if you're at all interested go measure and write down the size of your dining room table right now. Liquor is cheap, as well.

 

There's also the St. Maarten Museum off of Frontstreet. (Donations)

 

There are many Casinos in the area if that interests any of you (age 18 and up).

 

You can walk the Boardwalk and enjoy the view of the beach and water for free, or rent lounge chairs and umbrellas for a nominal charge, but I wouldn't go into the water here.

 

A few dollars for a taxi would get you to Divi Little Bay, where you could actually enjoy the water, as well.

 

gary

[DavidO]

We are stopping at St Martin next month and found ourselves in the same boat. After researching, I too felt the beach was not a fit for our family with children due to topless being common.

 

We decided that we are going to take the bus or a taxi to the French side to the town of Marigot. We will walk around the town, have lunch (hopefully some good French pastries and maybe crepes if we can find some), and climb to Fort Lois which people say has a great view. Relatively inexpensive, but still an interesting day.

 

David

[kcparrothead]

Just an fyi - We were at Orient Beach last month from approx. 10am to noon and did not see one topless woman....

[Karysa]

We are considering taking a cruise here next year and are looking for cheap/free ideas of things to do. We have our 3 kids going (21, 18 & 4) plus other family and a nude beach is not something we want to do LOL. I have never been here but since we know of many cheap things to do on other islands (ex Bahamas) which cruise we pick may come down to that. I would really appreciate any ideas and thank you!

 

Many cruisers have walked the 20 minutes to Back Street and taken the bus to Mullet Bay and spent a couple of hours there and then walked 15 minutes to Maho and spent some time watching the planes land. They seem to find their way back by bus as well so you may want to consider that. You could also just rent a car by the pier for about $60 which is only $12 per person and really see the island and go where you want and stay for as long as you would like. That is what we are planning on doing next March.

[sparkysj]

@gtaylor: Sorry I mean ex Bahamas as exaxmple. Sorry for the confusion! Thank you for your ideas. I do want to ask why not to go in the water??

[sparkysj]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and ideas!!

[gtaylor]

I have concerns about water quality / pollution in Great Bay.

 

gary

[gtaylor]

Just an fyi - We were at Orient Beach last month from approx. 10am to noon and did not see one topless woman....

 

We were at Orient on October 12th, and about that same timeframe, perhaps stayed a bit later, situated on Pedro's chairs, below the taxi drop area.

 

We saw probably 8 - 10 topless women and a couple plus two individual men walking completely nude up to 'The Rocks' and returning to the Club Orient property.

 

gary

[MonkeyBiz]

what kind of concerns do you have about pollution? are we talking about BAD stuff, or is it water like at the jersey shore...

[gtaylor]

I think it's the bad stuff.

 

Here is a discussion thread from last year, and I don't think that the situation has changed significantly.

 

I know that the drainage canal by Bobby's Marina mentioned in post #11 there still looked awful less than two weeks ago.

 

gary

[kcparrothead]

We were at Orient on October 12th, and about that same timeframe, perhaps stayed a bit later, situated on Pedro's chairs, below the taxi drop area.

 

We saw probably 8 - 10 topless women and a couple plus two individual men walking completely nude up to 'The Rocks' and returning to the Club Orient property.

 

gary

 

We were probably about 6 or so beach bars north of Pedro's. I did see an old man's butt walking out to the ocean at Club Orient when we walked down to Pedro's, however. Looked to be mostly cruisers around the area we were. Our taxi dropped us off towards the middle of the beach bars instead of Pedro's for some reason.

[The Big Booper]

We were probably about 6 or so beach bars north of Pedro's. I did see an old man's butt walking out to the ocean at Club Orient when we walked down to Pedro's, however. Looked to be mostly cruisers around the area we were. Our taxi dropped us off towards the middle of the beach bars instead of Pedro's for some reason.

 

Ship tours tend to drop their passengers at Bikini Beach Bar, in the middle of the beach, rather then Pedros, which is at the southern end, right near Club Orient (the naturist resort). You'll see mostly cruisers at BBB.

[kcparrothead]

Ship tours tend to drop their passengers at Bikini Beach Bar, in the middle of the beach, rather then Pedros, which is at the southern end, right near Club Orient (the naturist resort). You'll see mostly cruisers at BBB.

 

We weren't on a ship tour - we got a cab at the port.

[CRUISE0825]

We are stopping at St Martin next month and found ourselves in the same boat. After researching, I too felt the beach was not a fit for our family with children due to topless being common.

 

We decided that we are going to take the bus or a taxi to the French side to the town of Marigot. We will walk around the town, have lunch (hopefully some good French pastries and maybe crepes if we can find some), and climb to Fort Lois which people say has a great view. Relatively inexpensive, but still an interesting day.

 

David

 

We will be in St. Martin on Wednesday 12/21/11. We want to go to Marigot Market but other than that we have no idea. Did you enjoy your time in Marigot? Do you have any recommendations?

[cherylroslyn]

Just an fyi - We were at Orient Beach last month from approx. 10am to noon and did not see one topless woman....

I was there for about four hours in May and saw at least 10 and two fully bottomless males walking at seperate times with there assets bouncing all over.........

 

 

 

 

I was sitting in front of Orange fever and they were headed towards Le String......... I was no where near Club Orient

[gtaylor]

I was there for about four hours in May and saw at least 10 and two fully bottomless males walking at seperate times with there assets bouncing all over.........

 

 

 

 

I was sitting in front of Orange fever and they were headed towards Le String......... I was no where near Club Orient

 

From Orange Fever to 'the rocks' at Pedro's which defines the beginning of clothing optional territory is about 100 yards.

 

gary

[blue_water]

If you go to the Alamanda Hotel area of Orient Beach and rent chairs there you may be fine. We stayed at the Alamanda and spent most of our time at the Bikini Beach Bar and saw very few topless folks come through from the south end. But they do sometimes, and usually the very wrinkled type :p

 

If not for your free/cheap request I would consider a day sail your best choice for SXM. There are several but I would recommend the Golden Eagle. We took them for a 1/2 day sail while there on a cruise and later for a full day sail when we returned to SXM for a week and there were young kids on both. The crew is very good and maintains a fun and relaxed atmosphere that is still acceptable for young 'uns.

 

This would be a great day for all of you (if you are willing to spend some money, of course). Maybe save up and make this day a memorable one and save your money on another island? If not look at a trip to Marigot, nice town to walk and a great little deli right on the marina. Takes quite awhile to get there by bus, not sure if there is an excursion through your ship.