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dgregg
Guest
I am sailing on the Legend April 3, 2003 and want to book my own excursions. Does anyone have some helpful hints on how to do this. Personal experience would be fab!
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cannonball
Guest
One great thing to do in St. Martin is to take the water taxi for $5 to the downtown area for shopping or Everthing Cool (sp?). The water taxi is $5 and you can ride all day as many times as you want!
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gene
Guest
So many possibilities, so little time...! Well, here are a few things we've enjoyed. We love beaches and snorkeling more than shopping so that is always our first priority. Barbados: we went to Folkestone Park, about a 20 minute taxi ride from the pier. The "park" is no big deal, but its a good way to access the water - as you face the water, walk to the right around the rcoky point and you'll come to a beautiful resort (I've forgotten the name but its one of those $500+ a night places) with a lovely beach and snorkeling over the same reef - fantastic. All beaches on Barbados are open to the public but you can't cross private land to get there. Martinique: we took the water taxi across the bay (great views of the fort) to Baie something-or-other. Go to the right along the street and you'll see paths leading down to the beaches in front of the resorts. Beaches are public, not very wide but very pretty and the young French ladies who model the bathing suits for sale nearby are very entertaining, to say the least! Decent snorkeling around the jetties. St. Martin - everyone should go to Orient Beach at least once in their life. We've been a number of times and its always a hoot. Last July we ended up at (I think) Pedro's, one of the many beach bar/restaurants that offer padded loungers for rent. We got a lounger, umbrellas, tables and A DRINK OF OUR CHOICE for $6 each!!! And the young lady Selena who runs the place was wonderful to our son and his buddy, both 20 y.o. Great food there too - lots of French/Caribbean dishes along with the Mexican stuff. Good, cold Caribs and any frozen drink you could want. The beach is developed but the water is the most amazing shade of blue. The sights along the beach range from "wow" to "d'oh! I wish I didn't see that!!!" Enjoy - we're counting down to our next time in April!! Gene
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ginny
Guest
gene, I tried to e-mail you but it ws returned, couldn't be delivered so I'll paste it here
I noticed your post about Folkstone park. I've seen
this recommended before as the #1 snorkeling site in
Barbados. We are trying to get as much info as we can
as we are considering this as one of the things we are
interested in in Barbados. We are experienced
snorkelers, have our own equiptment and take advantage
of all opportunities to commune with the fishies
You mentioned a resort, did you use any of their
facilities? any more info you can provide will be
helpful. Thanks so much,
you can e-mail me if you'd like.
I noticed your post about Folkstone park. I've seen
this recommended before as the #1 snorkeling site in
Barbados. We are trying to get as much info as we can
as we are considering this as one of the things we are
interested in in Barbados. We are experienced
snorkelers, have our own equiptment and take advantage
of all opportunities to commune with the fishies
You mentioned a resort, did you use any of their
facilities? any more info you can provide will be
helpful. Thanks so much,
you can e-mail me if you'd like.
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Cindy15
Guest
Hi,
Yea, I would like all the info on this place too...we are going in january...
Cindy
Yea, I would like all the info on this place too...we are going in january...
Cindy
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gene
Guest
Well, Folkestone itself is a municipal park of sorts, a small area with NO beach - you have to get over the rocks to get into the water. The vendors were quite aggressive for the brief time we were there and the whole place was kind of dirty, BUT... the snorkeling was very good. There are the remains (a long pipe, really) of an underwater trail kind of like at Trunk Bay, St. John, but it was torn up pretty badly in a storm we were told. The reef is quite long and extends at least a half mile to the right, around the point, along that resort and beyond. You'll be snorkeling in 4 - 10 feet of water for the most part. The resort has a beautiful beach, palm trees, a restaurant/bar and beautiful grounds. You can't use the hammocks under the trees but you're welcome to lay out on the beach. There were plenty of taxis waiting when we walked back around the point to the "park" when it was time to go. The Bajan people were wonderful, by the way - very friendly and helpful. I did quite a bit of research before we left and couldn't find anywhere else that mentioned much about snorkeling. The only glitch could be if the wind turns on-shore and stirs up the water. On a 1 -10, I'd give the snorkeling a 7.5. Hope this helps! Gene
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ginny
Guest
Thanks gene, did you feel safe leaving a bag on the beach? I don't mean valuables we have a water wallet for them what i'm referrring to is towels, change of clothing, shoes that sort of bag. Can we arrange for our driver to come back at a prearranged time to pick us up? Some islands the taxis will do this for us. Thanks again for your help.
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gene
Guest
Oh, yes, absolutely! On some islands we make a point of plopping down relatively near other folks (but not too near!) and politely ask them to keep an eye on our stuff when we're in the water. We've never had a problem on any of the 14 islands we've visited and snorkeled. You can certainly ask the taxi guy to come back and get you at a certain time - in certain places (like at Anse Chastenet on St. Lucia - a wonderful spot, by the way!) the driver will hang around and wait to insure that he doesn't lose the fare. We've never had a problem getting a cab anywhere. Some were better drivers than others though...! We really enjoy talking with the drivers too - almost without exception, they are proud of their islands and want you to have a good time. One of the many reason we LOVE the Caribbean! Gene
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robby
Guest
i think Gene and i must have been sharing the same taxi......my wife and i also went to the same beaches on all 3 islands and shared the same nice experiences ....Folkstone park was not a thing of beauty as far as beach area, but the snorkeling was very nice!....with lotsss of coral to see....it was a bit wavy and stirred up from some of the other recreational activities going on outside the reef area....they did however have the reef roped off so that u dont have a jet ski running between ur legs...they had rentals on most things ud need there.........Martinique was much more scenic but the snorkeling was not as good...but still fun snorkeling in a shallower calmer water......and as Gene stated, the bikini models more than made up for the snorkeling shortfall .......and Orient Beach on st marteen is just a MUST see ....loved all 3 ports bye bye robbyxoxo
....Folkstone park was not a thing of beauty as far as beach area, but the snorkeling was very nice!....with lotsss of coral to see....it was a bit wavy and stirred up from some of the other recreational activities going on outside the reef area....they did however have the reef roped off so that u dont have a jet ski running between ur legs...they had rentals on most things ud need there.........Martinique was much more scenic but the snorkeling was not as good...but still fun snorkeling in a shallower calmer water......and as Gene stated, the bikini models more than made up for the snorkeling shortfall .......and Orient Beach on st marteen is just a MUST see ....loved all 3 ports bye bye robbyxoxo
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dgregg
Guest
Thanks everyone, especially Gene. We will plan to visit all those places.
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gene
Guest
You're welcome, glad I could help and anytime I can procrastinate at work and talk cruising I'm all for it!!! Please be sure to post a full report when you get back! Now if I can just get someone to recommend a good resaurant with great local cuisine in Aruba...! Gene