Since my younger daughter was having fun at sleepaway camp, we thought it was the perfect time for my husband and I to take our oldest daughter away on a trip since she will be heading off to college a year and a half. Since we’d been to St. Martin two times before and always loved it, we knew it would be an amazing destination for our getaway. The Simpson Bay Beach Resort had everything we would need for our stay.
After a long day of flying from Boston (we had a delay and a long layover…yuck.), we finally felt the Caribbean sun on our face and could smell the salty air. Check-in was fast and informative and we couldn’t wait to head to our suite since we didn’t know what to expect. Our jaws dropped when we saw what our accommodations looked like.
De Palm Island is a wonderful place to escape to spend the day relaxing and playing in the sun. Swim, eat, drink, and enjoy a stunning little island.
Getting to the Island
If you have your own transportation, you can drive yourself to the ferry terminal. However, if you have no car, no worries…you can get picked up from your hotel by the De Palm bus and they’ll drive you over. Once you get to the terminal, jump on the small ferry and take a lovely 10-minute ride over to the island.
Check Out the Beach
We found a great spot in the first row of papillons and had an amazing view of the stunning beach area. Just look at this view! To warn you, a lot of the beach had rough coral at the entrance. We figured out that if you went in through the left side of the beach, there was no coral. I felt bad for people walking into the water and twisting their faces in pain. You may want to bring water shoes. The beach is smaller than I expected, but it was fine since people seem to spread out on the island.
Snorkel Time
This was our favorite activity we did n the island and we actually did it twice. They provide flippers and snorkels and everyone must wear a floatation device.
You enter the water off this dock.
As soon as you enter the water you start seeing fish.
The reef is not colorful, but it is still really pretty. There were so many different fish and many of them come right up to you.
We had such a great time! You may want to bring an underwater camera.
Adorable Flamingos
These adorable birds were so beautiful and we couldn’t get enough of them.
You could take turns going into the enclosure to take pictures with them but you can’t touch or feed them.
Look at how beautiful they are!
Slides
A set of cement steps (lots of them) bring you to a Body Drop Slide. I was in awe of my daughter as I watched the tube close around her, heard the countdown, and then watched the floor drop from under her as she slid down the steep slide. I didn’t do that one, but I loved the two twisting slides. They were especially fun when you’re racing each other down.
Kids’ Waterpark
Young kids looked like they were having a blast in the kids’ waterpark. It has water cannons, tipping water buckets, slides, and more.
Time to Eat
The island has two spots to eat…the grill and the buffet. The grill has items like burgers, French fries, and hot dogs.
There is also a buffet with salads, potato salad, coleslaw, fish, chicken, desserts, etc. All food on the island is all-you-can-eat! Look at the gorgeous view you have as you eat.
There is also a bar that has cocktails, beer, and soft drinks. Best part…it’s an open bar!
What Else Can You Do There?
For an extra cost, you can do Sea Treks, Snuba, hair braiding, massages, temporary tattoos, and premium seating.
How Long Can Your Stay on the Island?
It is open daily from 10:00- 5:00.
How Much Does it Cost?
Adults (13+) $119
Kids (4-12) $95
Kids under 4 are free
Tips for a Perfect Day
You can rent beach cabanas and private cabanas but you may want to do it in advance because there was none left when we got there.
They offer daily salsa lessons.
Banana boat rides are offered throughout the day.
Bring a change of clothes. There are outdoor showers to get all the sand and salt off your skin.
Our next stop on our mother/daughter Aruba trip was the beautiful Marriott Aruba Ocean Club. We chose to stay here because we wanted a little more space to stretch out after sharing a room for the first two nights. This hotel was more of a condo style, so we had a bit more privacy. We didn’t have far to walk since the hotel is right next door to the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, where we had spent our last two nights.
Bahamas is a gorgeous Caribbean island that has powder-white sand, emerald water, and a tropical feel. It’s close location to Florida makes it an easy flight. It is perfect for families, couples, girlfriend getaways, solo travelers, and couple’s trips. Here is an itinerary for a perfect week in Nassau, Bahamas.
I usually spend my first day in the Caribbean hanging out by the pool/beach of my hotel/rental. Make yourself a cocktail and lounge in the sunshine
In the afternoon, head over to the Straw Market to take in some of the local culture. It’s a great place to buy handwoven straw crafts. (Their baskets are amazing.) It is also a nice place to buy souvenirs.
Photo Credit: Expedia
Day 2: Sandy Toes
Take a 25-minute boat ride to the island. So, what is the best thing to do here? SWIM WITH PIGS! I was shocked at how clean the beach/water was with pigs walking around, but it was spotless. They were so adorable and we had fun petting them.
We continue to believe that in the future the borders will be open, airplanes will cross oceans, people will fill restaurants, and we will all get out our passports.
As for now, take a peek at these pictures to inspire your next big adventure!
We continue to believe that in the future the borders will be open, airplanes will cross oceans, people will fill restaurants, and we will all get out our passports.
As for now, take a peek at these pictures to inspire your next big adventure!
We continue to believe that in the future the borders will be open, airplanes will cross oceans, people will fill restaurants, and we will all get out our passports.
As for now, take a peek at these pictures to inspire your next big adventure!
I remember when I was a kid, I was jealous of the characters on Gilligan’s Island because they had this beautiful piece of paradise all to themselves. I dreamed of being Maryanne (Ginger’s voice drove me nuts!) Well, with Sandy Toes, on Rose Island you can live that dream as you spend the day on your own private island.
Your adventure begins when you are picked up at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal in their double decker catamaran. Since we decided to take a water taxi to cross under the bridge (huge mistake!!!) we ran to catch the ferry because it only leaves once…10:00…after that you’re out of luck. We were thrilled that we made it and with our complimentary rum punch in our hands, we settled in for our ride. Check out where my youngest got to sit.
During
your 25-minute boat ride, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Bahamas coastline
as the wind blows through your hair. Sit back and watch the crystal blue water
soar under you as you head to Paradise.
The
biggest surprise of the day was that no one else except the people on our boat
would be on the island. We would have
this paradise all to ourselves.
The sand was a white powder and the water was
transparent. The beach was immaculately
clean, which I had wondered about since I knew there were pigs that swam here. We grabbed one of the many lounge chairs and
settled in for a bit before we couldn’t resist the water anymore.
The
crystal-clear water was calling to us and we were so excited to spend our day
basking in the sunshine and having more fun.
After a
quick dip, we decided to hang out in one of the beach hammocks.
As I
lounged, I stared at the rocky coastline and listened to the waves crashing
onto the shore.
It really was Heaven…see…
I could have spent hours there and was considering taking a nap when all of the sudden I saw these cutie pies come out for a swim. I jumped up and ran over to give them a pat. We loved hanging out with these big guys!
And we
fell in love with the 14-week-old piglets!
Seriously…how could you not!!! They were so well-behaved and knew more
tricks than my puppy…sit, stay, come, heal.
It was very impressive.
My girls
got to swim with them
And give
them some love.
We wanted
to take them home with us!! The staff
loves them so much and you can see the care that they take in keeping them
healthy. I love that they never make the
pigs do anything they don’t want to do. These
adorable pigs have been raised here since birth. They are vet checked and cared
for on the regular, and only given the cleanest diet. They are given plenty of love, sunshine,
shade, and even sunscreen!
Since we
had brought snorkel equipment to use at the condo, we decided to bring
them. We had so much fun swimming around
the coral reef and felt comforted that a guide was with us. We saw huge fan
coral, tons of tropical fish, and lots of brain coral. We couldn’t get enough of it, and they didn’t
rush us. They have snorkel equipment
for all ages and they also provide life jackets. This is where we started our snorkeling adventure.
Lunch was served from 1:00-2:00. They had a buffet that served a variety of local cuisine such as barbecue chicken, peas and rice, vegetable pasta salad, hot dogs, garden salad, and fresh rolls. There was a beautiful view from the dining area. There were also lounge chairs if you’re too full to go too far…lol.
The Beach
Bar had sweeping views of the water!
I enjoyed
a frozen margarita…ok ok…I enjoyed three!
And my
girls loved their frozen virgin Pina coladas.
I can’t believe how inexpensive it is to spend the day here!
$119 for
adults and
$75 for
children ages 4-12.
Tips for a perfect day
The
island offers restrooms, changing rooms, and shower facilities.
There is
a gift shop on the island.
Kayaks
are available to rent for $15.
Tubes are
available to rent for $10
You can
purchase a bus transfer from your hotel.
Boat
leaves daily at 10:00 from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal.
Boat
leaves Rose Island at 3:30 to take you back.
Get there
early so you don’t have to rush like we did!
Take a
cab across the bridge…NOT the water taxi because they only run when they’re
full.
A warm THANK YOU to Sandy Toes for having us as your guest. We had an incredible last day in the Bahamas and it was the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy all the sun, sand, and water that is so unique to your lovely island. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the Nassau area. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% that of MyTravelingKids.com.
Who
doesn’t daydream of spending the day on their own private tropical island? A
trip to Blue Lagoon Island will let you live out this dream as you spend the
day lounging on a pristine beach or having water adventures…whatever your heart
desires.
It all starts as soon as you are picked up in their high-speed, double-decker catamaran. We enjoyed stunning views of Nassau Harbor and Paradise Island as crystal blue water soared under us. When we pulled up to the island the sand was a white powder and the lounge chairs called to us as we walked down the dock.
The clear
turquoise waters looked like a scene from a movie and we couldn’t wait to jump
in.
As you lay
in the hammocks, or sit in lounge chairs, you hear the chirping of tropical
birds as the breeze flows through the coconut palm trees…but there was no time
for sitting around because we had some adventures to do first!
When you think of Nassau, it’s hard not to picture the picturesque towers of Atlantis Resort. This 141-acre water scape can be your playground for the day when you buy an Aquaventure Day Pass.
So, what is included in your Atlantis Aquaventure Day Pass?
Water
Slides – 18 thrilling water slides
River
Rides – The Current & The Rapids
Pools –
11 distinctly different pools
Beach –
Miles of white sand & crystal water
The Dig
Aquarium
Lounge
Chairs & Towels
My girls were at Atlantis for one reason…the water park! With 18 different water slides, it was hard to decide which to go on first. Here were some of our favorites:
