Anse Marcel versus Orient Beach??

[emcee207]

We have a long day next month in Saint Martin, 8am until 10 pm. Haven't read much about Anse Marcel but someone mentioned it was quite nice. Is it better than Orient Beach or worth the extra ride? Way over on the other end of the island from Phillipsburg.

We're looking for a nice beach with amenities, i.e. drink, food, lounge chairs, bathrooms, etc.

Thanks for the help.

[doninla]

We were at Anse Marcel 3 weeks ago and it was by far our favorite beach during our cruise. It is only about a 5 to 7 minutes longer taxi ride than to Orient Beach. If you are looking for a quiet beach then this place is perfect. There is a real nice bar on the beach and you can rent lounges and umbrellas. Also, the bathrooms are close and very clean. Enjoy your trip,

[gtaylor]

Anse Marcel has a very nice beach, but it is also very out of the way. Make very firm arrangements with your taxi driver (assuming that you can find one) for your pick-up and return trip.

 

I would highly recommend that you do not pay the driver until you have completed your round trip. (This is an acceptable practice on the island.)

 

(click)

 

gary

[emcee207]

Thanks to you both, good info. We have plenty of time as we are in port until 10 or 11pm. Thought this might be a viable alternative to Orient and probably not as crowded.

Although, never been to Orient and kind of want to experience the "spectacle", anyone else??

[emcee207]

gtaylor, forgot to ask why you mentioned re: taxi driver "assuming you can find one", are taxi's diffacult to get?? Thought they'd be everywhere....

[doninla]

Taxis are easy to get. There are plenty of them in town trying to hustle a fare. Our driver took us by Orient beach first so we could have a look, then dropped us off at Anse Marcel. He was happy to wait of us (3 hours) and did not want to get paid until he took us back to town. If your driver doesn't want to wait for you, there should be no problem getting a taxi back as there are 2 hotels right at the beach. I sure someone there can all you a cab. Also, we ordered drinks at the bar and tipped well so we were not charged for our lounges or umbrellas at the beach.

[crisp1]

If you hire a cab at the pier, they'll want to collect their money when dropping you off. You'll have better luck finding someone who'll either wait or return for you ( don't pay him until the end)

The major spots like Orient, Dawn etc won't be a problem finding a cab back to port. Other places like Bay Rouge- where we almost got stranded, will not have cabs sitting around waiting for fares

[gtaylor]

gtaylor, forgot to ask why you mentioned re: taxi driver "assuming you can find one", are taxi's diffacult to get?? Thought they'd be everywhere....

 

Only because Anse Marcel is so out of the way. Many taxi drivers may choose to NOT take a fare to that location, as there may be many more profitable routes.

 

For the regular tourist stops, taxis are readily available.

 

gary