Our experience with taxi to the beach

[UMTerp]

We went to the taxi stand and said we wanted to go to Darkwood Beach.  They told us to stand over to the side and wait for other people.  They tried to convince others to also go to Darkwood Beach.  After we got a group, we were set to go.  However, the driver took us to Valley Church beach instead.  He insisted that this was a better beach.  He also knew people there (which is suspect was the reason for the mix-up).  It was $10 per person and he arranged to pick us up at the agreed upon time.  His name was Cartwright.  Two chairs and an umbrella were $20.  There was a bar/food and a restroom.  The beach was beautiful but had a large drop off.  It was very hard getting out of the water.  We had a nice time but wanted to go to Darkwood.

[sh1955]

Woah! 
It’s not good that the taxi driver took you where he wanted you to go instead of where you want it to be taken. 
I would be especially leery of that with the Sargasso Sea problem now. 

[BURNSMN]

7 hours ago, UMTerp said:

We went to the taxi stand and said we wanted to go to Darkwood Beach.  They told us to stand over to the side and wait for other people.  They tried to convince others to also go to Darkwood Beach.  After we got a group, we were set to go.  However, the driver took us to Valley Church beach instead.  He insisted that this was a better beach.  He also knew people there (which is suspect was the reason for the mix-up).  It was $10 per person and he arranged to pick us up at the agreed upon time.  His name was Cartwright.  Two chairs and an umbrella were $20.  There was a bar/food and a restroom.  The beach was beautiful but had a large drop off.  It was very hard getting out of the water.  We had a nice time but wanted to go to Darkwood.

Agree that the drop off at Valley Church can be tough on a lot of people. The last time we were there I spent a LOT of time helping people trying to get out of the water.

[volk904]

Last year we wanted to go to Valley Church and they put us in a cab to Darkwood. It was nice so we stayed.  I have friends who went to Valley Church this week. It looked similar to Darkwood.   No seaweed either. 

[Cruise till you drop]

Similar thing happened in Cozumel except we weren’t impressed where they took us at all.  All of these taxi people have inside deals with certain beaches and get kickbacks to take them to those beaches 

 

Next time I won’t be as willing to be taken where we don’t want to go

[PORT ROYAL]

On 9/1/2023 at 1:48 PM, Cruise till you drop said:

Similar thing happened in Cozumel except we weren’t impressed where they took us at all.  All of these taxi people have inside deals with certain beaches and get kickbacks to take them to those beaches 

 

Next time I won’t be as willing to be taken where we don’t want to go

Next time consider booking..

Cecelia’s for beach day/lunch

Or

A rock pool at Sheer Rocks

 

Both have great food, ambiance and service.  Definitely places one will wish to return to.

[catinhat]

Yes, be very cautious as we had that happen.  Took us to another beach bar and LIED to us saying it was the one we wanted.  Sat down and we could see the place we wanted right next door so we lied and said our friends are meeting us and they are over there.   I do understand they are trying to help out their friends, but no need to lie to us.   Keep this in mind when ever 'shopping' stops are included.  They are taking your to their friends shop; maybe not where you really want to go.  

[krueg2828]

On 9/2/2023 at 11:57 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Next time consider booking..

Cecelia’s for beach day/lunch

Or

A rock pool at Sheer Rocks

 

Both have great food, ambiance and service.  Definitely places one will wish to return to.

Can you rent beach chairs at Cecelia’s??  Big drop off there?

[PORT ROYAL]

31 minutes ago, krueg2828 said:

Can you rent beach chairs at Cecelia’s??  Big drop off there?

Chairs etc are for use only by the paying clients.

Drop offs are caused tidal and storm action.  Easy access one day, steep the next.

It is not a rock up and bed rental establishment.  Book one’s lunch/day in advance.

 

Early booking is recommended for Cecelia’s, Catherine's and Sheer Rocks.  Consider a Rock Pool Day at Sheer Rocks for that special day.

Edited January 6 by PORT ROYAL
Typo

[krueg2828]

7 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Chairs etc are for use only by the paying clients.

Drop offs are caused tidal and storm action.  Easy access one day, steep the next.

It is not a rock up and bed rental establishment.  Book one’s lunch/day in advance.

 

Early booking is recommended for Cecelia’s, Catherine's and Sheer Rocks.  Consider a Rock Pool Day at Sheer Rocks for that special day.

Thanks for the info.  If anyone has recent beach condition at Cecelia’s, let me know.