Is Great Bay safe to swim in??

[Luv1204]

We will be on a cruise this week and were looking for a nice beach close to port in St Maarten. Great Bay looks pretty nice and so close to port but I have read it is not safe to swim in because of pollution? Is this true, we are coming down with our 2 children 6, and 10 years old I would rather go to another beach alittle bit farther away if this is true.

[Luv1204]

If Great Bay is not a good, safe idea, is there any other nice beaches close?

[cruiseguy1016]

I've never heard of Great Bay being polluted. We've been swimming their many times and always found it to be very nice.

[mommastav]

DH and I spent a week there last year at the Sonesta Hotel. There were no issues with the beach or water at all. It was a bit rough, and that particular beach had a quick drop-off that made it hard to walk back into shore.

[mdwstcruiser]

Just went there a few weeks ago. No problems - the water was beautiful.

[erniesband]

Search the St Martin port of call board for more accurate info. Most people familiar with Great Bay say it is not a good idea go into the water there.

[andrea lynn]

I read a news article posted just last week that the government is suggesting not swimming there due to pollution. Check the st. Martin page.

[marci22]

I think that most locals and regulars on the St. Martin boards would tell you not to swim there.

[matj2000]

There are many people swimming there every day.

You will be fine..

[croaziera]

We will be on a cruise this week and were looking for a nice beach close to port in St Maarten. Great Bay looks pretty nice and so close to port but I have read it is not safe to swim in because of pollution? Is this true, we are coming down with our 2 children 6, and 10 years old I would rather go to another beach alittle bit farther away if this is true.

 

We heard the same thing about the pollution, so we took our children to Little Bay and Divi Little Bay Resort. It is only a short taxi drive from downtown and well worth it. The resort has chairs and umbrellas for rent, as well as food and drink for purchase. The water is very clean and very safe for swimming since it is protected by a reef. Check out the videos of Divi Little Bay on youtube.

[runner15km]

From all the pollution reports on Great Bay I would not let my family swim there. Look at Dawn or Orient Beach.

[bilyclub]

http://www.todaysxm.com/2012/11/08/great-bay-water-quality-worrisome/

[Luv1204]

Wow, that article is scary! Thanks for the info, I think I am going to stay away from Great Bay and look for a beach with safer water even if I have to travel alittle farther. Thank You.

[Spurs Fans]

Great Bay has been polluted for years. It does not matter what the water "looks" like, it is filled with microbes that can cause serious diseases. The information that has been posted on this site really is irrefutable. Locals will tell you it is not safe to swim in Great Bay, that is who I would take my advice from.

[Karysa]

Search the St Martin port of call board for more accurate info. Most people familiar with Great Bay say it is not a good idea go into the water there.

 

Good idea.

 

The "Great Bay Pollution What's It Like Now!!" thread on this board has current info on this subject.

[Karysa]

Great Bay has been polluted for years. It does not matter what the water "looks" like, it is filled with microbes that can cause serious diseases. The information that has been posted on this site really is irrefutable. Locals will tell you it is not safe to swim in Great Bay, that is who I would take my advice from.

Never MET an island resident other than the guy renting jet skis at Great Bay who would recommend swimming there. In other words don't rely on those making their living on cruisers to give you all the information.;)

[shorebilly]

There are 35 other beaches that have no pollution issues!