Beach Tents/Shelters/Cabanas

cassidain

Senior Insider

I recall some time back someone posting a photo of Colombier plage defiled (I thought) with a large blue beach tent for many people. Presumably set up by a boat crew for their guests or clients. Seemed to spoil the ambiance IMHO. But, YMMV.
 

I recall some time back someone posting a photo of Colombier plage defiled (I thought) with a large blue beach tent for many people. Presumably set up by a boat crew for their guests or clients. Seemed to spoil the ambiance IMHO. But, YMMV.
Oui oui! (I wonder if a permit is required?)
 

I recall some time back someone posting a photo of Colombier plage defiled (I thought) with a large blue beach tent for many people. Presumably set up by a boat crew for their guests or clients. Seemed to spoil the ambiance IMHO. But, YMMV.
Actually, this happened a couple of times to us at Gouverneur beach, and they were playing (loud) music and kind of disturbed the entire atmosphere for people who just wanted peace and quiet. I appreciate fun music in a place such as Nikki or a proper beach club but honestly, it seems a little inappropriate to usurp the public beaches that way. I was actually surprised people were allowed to do it. I understand putting up a tent for the sun and all but it felt a little inconsiderate to the other beach-goers. (Oh, am I becoming one of those "difficult" people?!! Guilty as charged, I guess.. 😅 )
 
Oui oui! (I wonder if a permit is required?)
Been to Laguna a lot and it is a total ZOO..beautiful place, great food, and great beach(es) but people bring large wagons full of stuff all the time. They really spread out, there is nowhere to park, unless you are staying at a hotel, etc. The Montage (my favorite) will set you up at the beach, though, which is really convenient. But only with chaises and umbrellas.
 
Actually, this happened a couple of times to us at Gouverneur beach, and they were playing (loud) music and kind of disturbed the entire atmosphere for people who just wanted peace and quiet. I appreciate fun music in a place such as Nikki or a proper beach club but honestly, it seems a little inappropriate to usurp the public beaches that way. I was actually surprised people were allowed to do it. I understand putting up a tent for the sun and all but it felt a little inconsiderate to the other beach-goers. (Oh, am I becoming one of those "difficult" people?!! Guilty as charged, I guess.. 😅 )
One of my best memories on SBH was sitting on the beach with my wife in chairs under a tiny umbrella (maybe 4'-0" in diameter). It was small, but we set it up just above our heads. We tried to not disturb anyone (I don't think we did) as we tend to set up towards the back of the beach. It was the perfect size umbrella for 2 beach chairs.
 
We've found a nice compromise is a small Shibumi -- easy to pack and comparatively unobtrusive. Can be a challenge when the winds whip around, but great when there is a steady breeze. And not hugely distracting to others.
 
Agree. We have a Shibumi (mini) that we packed through and had worked great the last few weeks. Here's a shot on St.Jean this morning
 

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One of my best memories on SBH was sitting on the beach with my wife in chairs under a tiny umbrella (maybe 4'-0" in diameter). It was small, but we set it up just above our heads. We tried to not disturb anyone (I don't think we did) as we tend to set up towards the back of the beach. It was the perfect size umbrella for 2 beach chairs.
That is exactly the way we visit the beaches but sometimes keeping the umbrella up is more exercise than a workout🤪
 
On our honeymoon in 1987 we brought an umbrella with us for our first time visit to the island. I’m trying to find a picture of the umbrella on the baggage carousel. I had never visited the Caribbean before and while I didn’t know what to expect. I knew it was going to be hot and we are beach people.
 
That is exactly the way we visit the beaches but sometimes keeping the umbrella up is more exercise than a workout🤪
I don't recall keeping the umbrella up as being difficult at all. Maybe we got lucky with little to no wind...... maybe the umbrella was small enough. I just remember the perfect day sitting under that umbrella. The sun was out, there were scattered clouds and I was thankful to have that tiny bit of shade that made the day much more enjoyable.
 
I don't recall keeping the umbrella up as being difficult at all. Maybe we got lucky with little to no wind...... maybe the umbrella was small enough. I just remember the perfect day sitting under that umbrella. The sun was out, there were scattered clouds and I was thankful to have that tiny bit of shade that made the day much more enjoyable.
Sounds lovely! But on Saline, you will get some wicked wind at times!
 
I don't recall keeping the umbrella up as being difficult at all. Maybe we got lucky with little to no wind...... maybe the umbrella was small enough. I just remember the perfect day sitting under that umbrella. The sun was out, there were scattered clouds and I was thankful to have that tiny bit of shade that made the day much more enjoyable.
You must have gotten incredibly lucky. The winds at Saline and Gouverneur can be incredibly tricky to manage!
 

I recall some time back someone posting a photo of Colombier plage defiled (I thought) with a large blue beach tent for many people. Presumably set up by a boat crew for their guests or clients. Seemed to spoil the ambiance IMHO. But, YMMV.
I was at Saline when a grandfather with his grandchildren arrived and set up not too close to me. About three grandkids between ... 6-10 years of age. Grandpa pulled out a standard sized white or beige sheet/lightweight tarp and some cording, handed the kids some big ziplock bags which they filled with sea water.since, bute must have been grommets or a way to tie the cording to the bags - guylines. The kids knew exactly what to do and the water bags were buried in the sand, up went the sheet ... all done in about ten minutes. They must have have had a pole or two but I don't recall them. Nothing flashy, no music, just simple and I felt a mostly natural way to get some shade there. I thought the wind would take it but it held. When they disassembled, the water was returned to the sea, bags, cording, sheet, etc were packed up and then they fixed the sand before leaving. I see some similar how-to DIY beach screens online now but not quite what I recall, but it's been years. Have not seen that method since, but we leave Saline before noon now to avoid getting cooked.
 
It's been three years since I've been to SBH and I miss it sooo much! This Fall for sure, I keep telling my family. For me, the perfect morning includes a croissant from a local place (depending on where we're staying) and coffee at the villa, maybe 7:30AM. Give my wife a kiss and head for Saline, since she's neither a morning nor much of a beach person. Park with the maybe 2 or 3 other cars and walk up the path. (As an aside, when I can't do that any more, it'll probably be time to cash in my chips...) As I crest the hill and see the ocean and Ile Coco the world suddenly becomes a better place. I find my spot, lay my towel down, and spend 20 or 30 minutes reconnecting with the universe. Maybe there are two other people on the whole beach. At some point I walk the beach both ways, probably stopping at the far end to begin a small rock pile (which I'll add to every day if I can). Commune with the universe some more, maybe swim, walk some more, and head back to the villa by 9:00-9:30 or so. By this time the rest of the family is alive and I'm at peace!

I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy that grandfather and his family.
 
It's been three years since I've been to SBH and I miss it sooo much! This Fall for sure, I keep telling my family. For me, the perfect morning includes a croissant from a local place (depending on where we're staying) and coffee at the villa, maybe 7:30AM. Give my wife a kiss and head for Saline, since she's neither a morning nor much of a beach person. Park with the maybe 2 or 3 other cars and walk up the path. (As an aside, when I can't do that any more, it'll probably be time to cash in my chips...) As I crest the hill and see the ocean and Ile Coco the world suddenly becomes a better place. I find my spot, lay my towel down, and spend 20 or 30 minutes reconnecting with the universe. Maybe there are two other people on the whole beach. At some point I walk the beach both ways, probably stopping at the far end to begin a small rock pile (which I'll add to every day if I can). Commune with the universe some more, maybe swim, walk some more, and head back to the villa by 9:00-9:30 or so. By this time the rest of the family is alive and I'm at peace!

I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy that grandfather and his family.
“Cash in the chips” is a wrong assessment, if I may offer input here. I’m closing-in on 80. ”Balance” issues . . . & unrelenting arthritis in knees & ankles. Nonetheless, I still “attack” the hill to Saline beach. Slow & wobbly, for sure. . . and a walking stick. But it’s never a hike without empathetic “new” best friends offering hands to make sure that I make it up-&-down that hill to be part of the iconic scene. They all share — & want to make sure that I’m part of — the best beach on the island! It’s what “friends” on SBH do for one another!
 
You know, you're right! I'm also not far from 80 (will be 78 this year) and I hadn't really thought about the community / communal aspect of this. But you know, if in the future I can still get up the hill with help, great!
 
“Cash in the chips” is a wrong assessment, if I may offer input here. I’m closing-in on 80. ”Balance” issues . . . & unrelenting arthritis in knees & ankles. Nonetheless, I still “attack” the hill to Saline beach. Slow & wobbly, for sure. . . and a walking stick. But it’s never a hike without empathetic “new” best friends offering hands to make sure that I make it up-&-down that hill to be part of the iconic scene. They all share — & want to make sure that I’m part of — the best beach on the island! It’s what “friends” on SBH do for one another!
I think the walking stick is a great solution, no matter what age you are! Even when you are younger, it's a slog at best, with nasty rocks under the sand that you can't see. Everybody hikes with sticks around here, so you are "up" with the serious hikers! 😁 Two hiking sticks and a backpack should do it! ❤️
 
I think the walking stick is a great solution, no matter what age you are! Even when you are younger, it's a slog at best, with nasty rocks under the sand that you can't see. Everybody hikes with sticks around here, so you are "up" with the serious hikers! 😁 Two hiking sticks and a backpack should do it! ❤️

Dennis as the HAPPY WANDERER. Why not?
 
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