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by n38858
Hamden, Connecticut
January 22, 2010
From journal A Week in St. Maarten
by hangalen
St Augustine, Florida
August 10, 2008
From journal St Martin Escape
by sixkristy6
Cheektowaga, New York
August 26, 2006
Since there was a hurricane elsewhere in the Caribbean, the waves crashing in on the beach literally knocked you off of your feet. It was tons of fun! We would dive into the waves and jump around like when we were kids.
The water was that beautiful blue green color and crystal clear! The beach is surrounded by hills and it's all very pretty and scenic.
I would love to go back there. We did not want to leave.
From journal Southern Caribbean cruise
by Cantin2
Quogue, New York
May 11, 2006
The ambiance can change daily depending on the crowd. Local business people with their families come on weekends. It is very busy when cruise ships are in, and more quiet with vacationers at other times. The beach is lined with "Beach Clubs" with names as in Saint Tropez, Bikini Beach, KaKao Beach, Coco Beach, Waikiki... all have restaurants, lounge chairs and umbrellas, water sports concessions, and small shops that sell crafts and beachwear.
Always a breeze, a few rolling waves, and best of all a continuous parade of people. There is so much to see. Expect many topless people on this beach, it is European and occasionally guests from the "au naturale" resort at one end wander from their territoy "au naturale" and no one seems to mind. I guess it's one of the attractions of Orient Beach. Here is a WEBSITE that will answer many questions that you may have.
Chairs and umbrellas average about $20 U.S. per couple. Personable waiters serve drinks to your lounges. When it's time for lunch, you can choose to go to an open air sheltered area surrounded by palms and seagrape - somewhat divided with different levels of decking so that there is privacy - not just a big open room. You can also be served on the beach. Kakao beach gives you a take away Styrofoam container and plastic glasses. Although the food was very good, we preferred Waikiki. The waiters brought out a low wooden coffee table, not plastic - a bucket filled with ice for your wine or beer and real glasses. Even the plates were interesting; black or white, oval, rectangular, or square, depending on your order.
Food is exceptionally good for what we are used to being served at the beach in the states. A full range of choices from hot dogs and ribs, to wraps, salads and full course meals of fish and meat served with an interesting array of small veggies, stuffed mushrooms, tiny tomatoes, with mozzarella. The Kebob meal was enough for us to share. A true experience not to be missed, even if you are on a cruise that stops only for the day.
From journal St. Martin Beaches
by HDRyders
In, New York
April 2, 2006
From journal 2006-Adventure of the Seas
by mare1lane
Jacksonville, Florida
October 18, 2004
From journal Beautiful Sint Maarten
by dfrb
Windsor
October 6, 2004
Orient Beach is very easy to find. Follow the signs to the Middle Region, then to Orleans. Orient Beach is a few minutes past Orleans. There appear to be several entries. Just take one and you will gradually wind your way down to the beach. I think we took the second entry (at the top of the hill). The road winds down around rental properties until you end up at the Bikini Beach Bar section. This is the perfect spot. Find a spot to park and enjoy.
There are plenty of nice beach chairs to rent. Just pick one and someone will be right along to collect your money. If you do not want the umbrella, the cost is $6. I'm not sure what the cost with umbrellas are.
The sand is powdery soft in this area. The waves are not too rough and the water is absolutely beautiful. There are several beach bars and restaurants to get something to eat or drink.
Since Orient Beach is on the French side, it is common to see the ladies go topless. One end of this beach is clothing optional. Occasionally, you will see someone from the clothing optional section taking a stroll along the beach in front of you. If you, like us, are not used to strangers walking around naked in front of you, it's quite startling at first. However, by the time you see a clothesless group come out of the market, you're kind of used to it. It's just part of the Orient Beach scene and you should not let it prevent you from returning to Orient Beach. The other beaches cannot hold a candle to this one. Go and enjoy.
From journal St. Maarten/St. Martin Whirlwind
by Coronado Bob & Berie
Coronado, California
July 12, 2004
From journal Carribbean Paradise Found
by workout_lisa
Dallas, Texas
July 5, 2004
We arrived at Orient Beach from the Northwest near the Boo Boo Jam beach bar (accessed from a dirt road). This end of the beach is more secluded with less people, although this bar does get crowded for happy hour with live "caribbean style" music. We setup our beach chairs on a quiet stretch near the Esmeralda resort, and headed towards the action.
The beach is beautiful: a long curved stretch of white sand, meeting the turquoise water. It was everything we wanted in a beach and we spent two of our vacation days here. During our second trip, we parked near the other end of the bay, which had many more restaurants, vacation resorts, and paved roads! I would recommend entering Orient Beach via this route(follow the signs) - we just didn't realize on the first day there were other access points, as we entered the area from Grand Case and didn't drive far enough to find this entry.
This was one of the calmer beaches we visited - with many water activities. There were people using floats in the water, and this was one of the few beaches where the waves were calm enough to allow this. There were two water trampolines. Vendors also offered snorkelling excursions, trips to Pinel island, parasailing, jet ski rentals, and almost everything else you can do at the beach. There were several souvenir shops and the restaurants offered chair rentals. It was $6.00 per person, and included a free drink.
There were a variety of people from all over the world on this beach. Although the restaurants are mostly French, they offer menus in English and the people spoke English. Everyone was very friendly. There were couples, singles and families populating this beach, as it has amenties for everyone. If you are looking for a long, secluded beach for a romantic, quiet stroll - this isn't the beach for you - I would recommend Long Beach. The infamous nudist resort is located on the southeast end of the beach. The rest of the beach is topless (although there were plenty of people wearing tops) with the exception of a small area that allows nudists near the Esmaralda resort. Parents should be prepared that if you go to this beach, your children will see topless women, and most likely several nude people. While we were there we saw several nude men on leisurely strolls past the prime activity areas on the beach. If this is a problem, you should not go to this beach.
This is a fabulous beach and I highly recommend visiting here .... and if you are looking for an allover tan - this is the place to do it....
From journal Must do activities on St. Maarten
by melissa_bel
Hautrage, Belgium
June 24, 2004
You can parasail, windsail... Snorkeling is not the best here though.
What can I say, I could spend the rest of my life here!
From journal Eastern Carribean with Princess