Around 530 we headed down to yacht haven like it here but are the shops ever opened?? Went to fat turtles nice place outside! Nicer than I tjoguht it was going to be. They have 5-7 happy hour with $3 beers and $5 wines. We ordered ds dinner right away as usual ckn fingers and fries. And ordered beer for dh and wine for me and gma.

Thankfully ds dinner came out really quick -and ours was another matter. Took way too long. Almost and hour to get our dinners. Bu then ds was getting squirmy so we took turns walking him around while the other s ate.

I ordered the citrus shrimp salad very good. Gma got the half chicken with asparagus and mac andcheese all were really good. Dh got the chicken wrap and fries he said just ok.

I ordered the bread pudding for ds for dessert he didn't like it but mommy did!!

Bill came to $100 which I thoguth wasn't too bad bc of 3 drinks and desserts.

Would I go back yes but kitchen slow.

Ds was tired so we went back to condo.

About yacht haven - was surprised that shops weren't open later maybe just during day? Looks like a neat place to hang around and very clean. View beautiful.

Day 4 -Tuesday

Thank goodness it didn't rain!!! Yippee!!!!

We were ip and at them again early. Dh made my fav breakfast burritos. We ate while we watched a Disney ship dock.

Left condo at 815 for beach. Hoped to go to secret harbor so headed towards havensight traffic a bit worse this am bc taxis going to port.

Couldn't find the turn off for secret harbor for the life of me!!! Decided to go back to sapphire bc we only had a few hours last time and I wanted to go snorkeling.

Chairs $7 again. Set up further down beach towards pools bc we wanted to avoid lots or cruise people.

Place was empty til around 10. Unfortinatleh ds having a tough morning bc he fell on way to car skinning both knees 🙁

Love that there are big mangrove trees for shade great there didn't have to put up portobrella at all.

We swam had a great time. Started to get crowded around 1130 but we didn't mind it. Dh made a friend and played in sad from 10am on.

Waitress from Sunday Lindsey remembered us! Very nice young girl. Mom ordered 2 hot dogs w chips and fries and a tonic. Came to $20. Hotdogs were good and huge!!! Ds and I shared one and still had leftovers.

Took ds for a walk around 1130 and he fell asleep for nap.

Earlier in am we walked to end of point great view.

While ds sleeping dh and I went snorkeling. Nice reefs but nothing like the caymans. I think im spoiled for life. Saw some big beautiful fish.

Walked to end of beach - is crystal cove apartments?? Was surprised didn't see any pool for them.

Stayed til 2 ds was done with the beach!!.

As we were walking out round two getting to sapphire. Two more ships docked.

Would we visit again on a heavy cruise ship day no -I really wanted to go to secret harbor. But it wasn't awful and we love people watching. And talking about cruising too! We usually go on one cruise a year.

On way back found turnoff for secret harbor going to go there today hopefully.

Came back to condo and dh made banana daquaris and headed to pool around 4.

Traffic was bad back to resort got held up on the hill down to havensight. After the port turn it cleared up.

Stayed at pool til 6. ds made friends with so older kids and they all play at the pool everyday after the beach. Works out perfect.

We were all tired from the great beach day so ate in. Dh made salads for us, sandwich for gma and mac and cheese for ds.

Gma went down to her condo and dh and I took ds to yacht haven to walk around. Got there 7 pm and 2 ships still in port but no shops open - odd.

Walked to port shops and almost nothing opened there either.

Went into pirate shop very cool placw! Were nice enough to stay open for us. Ds loved it! ! And the men who own/work were very good hosts. Showed is pics of their salvaging and shipwreck trips. Dh bought me beautiful galleon necklace from shipwreck atroch (or something like that).

Was there almost 45 minutes def a to do next time we come! Loves hearing the shipwreck stories.

Walked back to yacht haven ans saw some mtv show filming so that was neat!! Wonder what it was?

Amazed that security Round ships was so lax. Boats were pulling right aside carnival ship and you could walk right next to ship. Never found this in any other port and we have been to alot. Kind of troubling to me.

Back to the condo and 2 ships finally sailed around 815.

Day 4 a great day and thankfully!! And sunny!!!

A few other notes.

Driving on other side of road not bad according to dh. Now he was use to it bc of caymans but don't be intimidated by it.

We find roads here in much better shape than SXM. Where roads are horrible.

We have found everyone to be super nice too. Have heard others at the pool complaining but we have found everyone to be great. And have always started with a good morning or good day, maybe that's why?

Excited to hit more beaches. Wish we were staying longer. Plan is today secret harbor, tomorrow st john and friday lindburg. Them fly home friday at 430.

Food has been good bit more americanized that I thought if that makes sense.

Going to Redhook tonight for dinner and iggies tomorrow.

I would recc bluebeards castle too. I would like the option however of have beach on property. Next time we will probably stay at marriotts timeshare or bluebeards beach club. Just need to plan furthermore ahead.

You are really making me excited for my trip! Is it cool to see the cruise ships? I've never seen one lol.

Magen's is more sloped closer to the main gate. If you went down to the other end of the beach it's much more gradual slope.

MTV is filming a season of the show Real World there. The house is on hassel island. We saw helicopter flying around magens one day and then around the harbor and hassel island later that night while we ate at fat turtle. Was figuring they were taking some overhead camera shots for the show maybe.

Secret harbour can be tough to find as the signs are fairly small and I don't think there's any signs coming off the main road but the food and beach is wonderful.

"Food has been good bit more americanized that I thought if that makes sense."

If you are looking for some authentic West Indian food, go to the food truck parked along side Airport Rd. the day you are going to Lindbergh Bay.
Go past Best Western & Beachcomber. You will see it parked on the side of the road. They have a picnic table with a white canopy over it, next to it. Go early they start selling out sometimes by noon.
They have homemade fruit drinks, too. Non-alcoholic.
It is take out, so you can go straight to the beach and eat on the beach.

Remember, rent lounge chairs from the Beachcomber for $6 and he will set them in a spot you pick, not like the Best Western. You can move them around as you like, but it is nice that he sets them where you want when you first get there.

Have fun!!!

Most of the stores in the downtown and Havensight areas you visited are primarily cruise ship oriented - they will close at 5pm on most days.
I hope you get a chance to visit Frenchtown - many interesting restaurants that have a more local feel and much closer to B-Beards than going east each day.
Since most of us who live here are US citizens, almost all the food that comes here is shipped from America, the vast majority of tourists are American, and we are bombarded by American TV and media it is not surprising that the Caribbean culture is eroding and that the 'food seems Americanized'.
Stopping almost anywhere in Red Hook and asking about the Secret Harbor Road would have helped out that day I am sure.

krmlaw, I'm not sure if you're talking about the stores at Yacht Haven Grande (Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Flip Flop Shops, Global Chic, Black/White Market, BCBG, Coach, etc) or Havensight/Port of Sale.

The "pirate" store you mentioned is probably The Pirate's Chest, and they sell the shipwreck jewelry you bought. They're not in Yacht Haven Grande, though Global Chic store in Yacht Haven Grande sells something similar, but in Port of Sale.

The Yacht Haven Grande stores are supposed to stay open until late. I talked to one shop owner and she was open until midnight last Friday, because people were strolling around after dining. Since Havensight and Port of Sale cater primarily to cruise visitors (only the sushi restaurant is open late, I think), those stores close early as another poster said.

There's only one ship in town on Thursday, so Trunk Bay should be OK. Try to get there early, though, so you can stake your spot.

Your husband sounds like such a sweetheart! His breakfasts sound awesome! He sounds like a keeper for sure.

Hopefully you'll post photos somewhere and give us the link. I love to see the VI through others eyes!

Enjoying your trip report!:@)