willcruiseanythyme Posted January 3, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Has anyone been to Great Bay beach recently and if so, can you rent chairs/umbrellas once I get there? Years ago I could do this but haven't been back in many years. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poke315 Posted January 3, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Yes... chair/umbrella rentals still available. . Usually 2 chairs, an umbrella, wifi and a couple drinks for $20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonlife64 Posted March 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Yes... chair/umbrella rentals still available. . Usually 2 chairs, an umbrella, wifi and a couple drinks for $20 Agree...we have rented chairs/umbrella for several years now. I can't recall about the wifi but that may vary depending on which place you stop at. There are places to rent all along the boardwalk. We like going to Great Bay because it is an easy and safe walk from the cruise pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 7, 2017 #4 Share Posted April 7, 2017 About how far is it to walk from the ship? Is there admission? Any shade? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted April 7, 2017 #5 Share Posted April 7, 2017 About how far is it to walk from the ship? Is there admission? Any shade? TIA Probably about 20-25 minute walk. No admission charge, per se, but rental fees for chairs/umbrellas. There is a water taxi from cruise pier to a pier right in the middle of Great Bay beach - I think it's $6 or $7 for all day trips. There is no shade at all, making umbrella rental a good idea. The beach can get pretty crowded when several ships are in, so it may not be as enjoyable as some of the less convenient beaches. Finally, after heavy rains there is question of some pollution from run-off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 7, 2017 #6 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Thanks. Think I'm gonna scratch it off the list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted April 8, 2017 #7 Share Posted April 8, 2017 For a beach that is convenient to the cruise dock and town with nice views of the ships and water Great Bay can't be beat. We spent a week in GB and really enjoyed it for those views. Regarding the contamination concern after heavy run-offs, it had been dry before we arrived and while there, and we weren't concerned about being in the water along with everyone else but that's your decision of course. We found Dawn to be very nice but just too busy. For a really nice beach with beautiful sand and water, great food, and lounge/umbrella rentals we loved Friar's Bay. If you eat at the FB Beach Club 2 lounges, table, and an umbrella are $10US.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 8, 2017 #8 Share Posted April 8, 2017 For a beach that is convenient to the cruise dock and town with nice views of the ships and water Great Bay can't be beat. We spent a week in GB and really enjoyed it for those views. Regarding the contamination concern after heavy run-offs, it had been dry before we arrived and while there, and we weren't concerned about being in the water along with everyone else but that's your decision of course. We found Dawn to be very nice but just too busy. For a really nice beach with beautiful sand and water, great food, and lounge/umbrella rentals we loved Friar's Bay. If you eat at the FB Beach Club 2 lounges, table, and an umbrella are $10US.. Okay, thank you for that information! I will do some research on Friar's Bay also. Have not completely ruled out Great Bay. Do you know if we DON'T eat at Friars Bay can we still rent chairs and umbrella or is it a "package deal?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 9, 2017 #9 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Okay, thank you for that information! I will do some research on Friar's Bay also. Have not completely ruled out Great Bay. Do you know if we DON'T eat at Friars Bay can we still rent chairs and umbrella or is it a "package deal?" Are you renting a car? Personally I wouldn't rely on a taxi to get me back from Friars Bay unless I was on a cruise that departed late or stayed over night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 9, 2017 #10 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Thanks for that info. Now am looking at Divi Little Bay!!! :eek::confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted April 9, 2017 #11 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Okay, thank you for that information! I will do some research on Friar's Bay also. Have not completely ruled out Great Bay. Do you know if we DON'T eat at Friars Bay can we still rent chairs and umbrella or is it a "package deal?" Yes the cost is just higher without eating there. The food at the club was amazing and reasonably priced. The other restaurant/bar was just opening for the season when we were there and has picnic tables and less expensive rentals, the name escapes me right now. We drove to Friar's while staying in Great Bay, but based on reviews we've read from families who taxi there every time they cruise to SXM because it is their favorite beach we wouldn't hesitate to go there when on a cruise. One family said they paid the driver upon their return to the ship, while others just had the restaurant call. But you need to be comfortable with your choice and GB and Divi are certainly "safer" options to many Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 9, 2017 #12 Share Posted April 9, 2017 ^^ okay, thank you. So it's a distance from the ship? I am starting to lean toward Divi Little Bay, but am open to other options! Have been to Orient and want to try something different! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted April 9, 2017 #13 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Enjoy your day whatever you choose! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 9, 2017 #14 Share Posted April 9, 2017 ^^ THANK YOU! I'm sure I will!!! :cool::D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 9, 2017 #15 Share Posted April 9, 2017 ^^ okay, thank you. So it's a distance from the ship? I am starting to lean toward Divi Little Bay, but am open to other options! Have been to Orient and want to try something different! My driver, DH says it's about a 45 minute drive from the ship to Friars Beach. We wouldn't put Friars in our top 5 beaches on the island (Little Bay either though), but DH says that he had the best Pina Colada EVER at the first beach bar there.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 9, 2017 #16 Share Posted April 9, 2017 My driver, DH says it's about a 45 minute drive from the ship to Friars Beach. We wouldn't put Friars in our top 5 beaches on the island (Little Bay either though), but DH says that he had the best Pina Colada EVER at the first beach bar there.:D LOL No wonder you remember the beach so well! :tropical-drink:(y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 9, 2017 #17 Share Posted April 9, 2017 LOL No wonder you remember the beach so well! :tropical-drink:(y) Actually the day that we saw a wild pig there was far more memorable to me than the Pina Colada!:') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted April 9, 2017 #18 Share Posted April 9, 2017 It's actually 25 - 30 min if you follow the east route past Orient, just 7 min past OB. We drove there on a busy ship day and didn't experience any traffic delays but it depends on the day of course. It is a much longer drive along the west route along with the traffic through Cole Bay and Marigot. The other restaurant there is Chez Kali's I believe? A neat Rastafarian place serving French, international, and Jamaican specialities and very casual. The folks there were just cleaning up to open in Nov and were very friendly - will definitely go there if we ever return to SXM. But the food at Friar's Bay Cafe was amazing... Sorry, don't mean to confuse you further! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 9, 2017 #19 Share Posted April 9, 2017 It's actually 25 - 30 min if you follow the east route past Orient, just 7 min past OB. We drove there on a busy ship day and didn't experience any traffic delays but it depends on the day of course. It is a much longer drive along the west route along with the traffic through Cole Bay and Marigot. The other restaurant there is Chez Kali's I believe? A neat Rastafarian place serving French, international, and Jamaican specialities and very casual. The folks there were just cleaning up to open in Nov and were very friendly - will definitely go there if we ever return to SXM. But the food at Friar's Bay Cafe was amazing... Sorry, don't mean to confuse you further! Ya DH says that 30 -35 minutes going that way makes sense. Good way to avoid traffic to. :) We only went to Chez Kali's once. Had the second worse burger in my life there ( the Peter Pan restaurant at Magic Kingdom got to keep its 1st place position) !:eek: It was a very, very, very, long time ago so hopefully things have changed there and since it's still open after all of these years then it most likely has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Karen Posted April 9, 2017 #20 Share Posted April 9, 2017 It's actually 25 - 30 min if you follow the east route past Orient, just 7 min past OB. We drove there on a busy ship day and didn't experience any traffic delays but it depends on the day of course. It is a much longer drive along the west route along with the traffic through Cole Bay and Marigot. The other restaurant there is Chez Kali's I believe? A neat Rastafarian place serving French, international, and Jamaican specialities and very casual. The folks there were just cleaning up to open in Nov and were very friendly - will definitely go there if we ever return to SXM. But the food at Friar's Bay Cafe was amazing... Sorry, don't mean to confuse you further! ;p:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseokie Posted April 27, 2017 #21 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Does anyone know the current state of pollution or runoff in Great Bay, we arrive next week. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 29, 2017 #22 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Does anyone know the current state of pollution or runoff in Great Bay, we arrive next week. Sent from my iPad using Forums More important than conditions today for you is the amount of rain between now and your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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