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Hi - coming in on cruise ship in august (arhhh, run for the hills!!!!!!!), and thinking of spending day at Secret Harbour. Never been to STT, but after reading many posts, sounds like a nice relaxing beach for swimming, sunning, snorkeling and getting some rum drinks and good food. Basically, my wife and I kind of want to "decompress" from the cruise crowd for awhile, as it sounds like they will go elsewhere.
For people in the know, does this sound like a nice "excursion" for the day? I assume it's easy enough to catch a taxi? Only thing, can we rent a beach chair? Just would like to hear a few opinions on the snorkeling, swimming, bar drinks and food. Lastly, about how long does it take to get there and back? We are in port from 10 am to 8 pm. I wonder if we should contact someone at secret harbour beach resort for transport, or just catch any taxi off ship? Lastly, how far is Red Hook? Would it be feasible to go to Red Hook first for some "light" shopping, and then head over to secret harbour for remainder of day? Visa OK, or only cash at beach?
Thoughts please, and thanks in advance!
zeke
If you want to get away from the crowd, have some great food, drinks, good snorkeling, postcard perfect scenery....SH is the spot. It is very close to Red Hook (one of the closest beaches)....5 min by taxi.
Any taxi driver will take you and will know where it is. I think it would take you about 30 mins from the cruise dock (is your dock Havensight?) to get to Red Hook and SH. The sun sets early in August....6:45ish.....so it'll be turning twilight at about the time you would head back to the ship (I don't think you'll want to leave SH earlier because of how nice it is). You can rent chairs. The food is often mentioned as some of the best on the island....and many people go to the SH restaurant (Blue Moom Cafe) even when they aren't planning on going to the beach there.....Blue Moon (outdoors) is a destination in itself. I am not sure about credit cards vs. cash. I am pretty sure they take cards for Blue Moon since it is such a popular place. But, you'll probably want to have cash for chair rental, etc. (maybe cards for that too, I don't know)
Hello, we were just at Secret Harbour a few weeks ago, so I'll try to answer your questions:
I am not sure that you can rent beach chairs at Secret Harbour--there are signs all over the place saying the chairs are for registered overnight guests only. I can tell you that the dive shop takes credit cards, and you can rent floaties etc there, so maybe you can rent a chair there. Secret Harbour does have a walkup bar that will make your frozen drinks and take credit cards. The food at Blue Moon Cafe is really good, esp. at dinner (all credit cards OK). If you ask the front desk in advance (when you arrive), they'll arrange for a cab to be there to get you when you want to leave.
Snorkeling is best on the right side of the beach--get out as far as you feel comfortable, you'll see some nice coral and big fish. Swimming is good--no wave action at all, but the water is very nice. Red Hook is only about 5 min. (if that) from Secret Harbour, and there's a good market (Marina Market) for whatever foodstuffs you need for your day trip. If you want to make the stop, make sure you tell your driver upfront and be sure he's willing to do it. You'll need to pay for him to wait for you, of course. FYI, you can buy bottled water and juices etc. at the dive shop at Secret Harbour.
Yes, Secret Harbor would be a great get-away from the cruise crowd, and in my opinion, give you one of the nicest tropical looking beaches, bar, restaurant and shopping in just a few minutes away Red Hook, on STT.
I never had any problem using one of the beach chairs: just make yourselves comfortable.
Another post noted snorkeling is best on the "right side" of the beach...... I assume they meant the right side of the beach IF you were in the water facing the beach! for it is the left side of the water as you face it from the beach where the good snorkeling is located - I spent many afternoons watching the bustling activity. To the right, between the beach and or in front of the dive shop is sometimes a great location to spot a squadron of cuttlefish - that look like a battalion of Star Wars space ships - kind a fun to hover over them and then try to separate out a pair and see what colors they turn as their skin flashes fluorescent....like a neon sign. I could usually find them somewhere in the waters off SH.
Was a good idea perhaps about Marina Market - you could get yourselves munchies and/or a picnic lunch to take to the beach with you - or enjoy the Blue Moon Cafe.
Have a great visit.
I sent you a PM (Private Message - see top of page) with a photo looking at Secret Harbor from across the bay - gives you a great overview of the great favorite place.
Thanks everyone. My father in law wants to know if he will be able to find some shade while at the beach? Maybe at the bar or restaurant? Will they be open during the day in August, for lunch?
thanks again everyone!
zeke
Yes, the whole beach is covered with palm trees that shade most all of it - except for the sand just as you enter the water. The bar and restaurant are also shaded. East Ender - Blue Moon open for lunch in August? I'd think, yes.
