This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. Luckily, given the islands size, you can visit any beach within the few hours allowed in port. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. Little Bay rests at the base of Fort . Very energetic walkers can hike 2.5 miles to the other side of the bay to Little Bay Beach and the small ruins of Fort Amsterdam. Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! Some beach visitors get so close that the blast from the jet engines knock them over. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. For $7 you can get a water taxi round trip from the cruise port. Its located near Maho beach, and though you can see the airplanes flying above, they are usually far away and therefore less noisy. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Outside of Philipsburg, two of the most famous attractions on the island are beaches. The terminal has useful signs that point people to where they want to go. Its a long stretch of several white sandy beaches nestled at the foot of sapphire colored sand cliffs. While the other is a rocky beach that faces the other side and is exposed to the rough side of nature but bears beautiful rock formations. It is often moderate from January through July. After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! They prob stop and ask about every 5 mins so it does get annoying. Rates are $8-10 per person one way. Philipsburg is big enough and developed enough to spend most of the day on foot. Expect to pay anywhere between $7 and $35 to get to a zone. The Guava berry Emporium is located on Front Street in Phillipsburg in an old townhouse, you cant miss the big liquor bottle at the entrance. Food and drinks All this fun with family can make you hungry. Maarten . Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. 17 Best Beaches in St. Maarten Top Public Beach Spots! Great Bay Beach isnt the best beach in the Caribbean or even the best beach on St. Maarten. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. Is this beach wheelchair friendly? Holland House Beach Hotel. Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. Then one thing to include in your list of things to do is to visit one of the islands finest beaches. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. A smaller number of restaurants are on the French side in Marigot and Grand Case. Maarten beaches. Beforehand, youll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. Its wide shoreline makes it a perfect spot for beach picnics and playing games on the shore. THE 5 BEST Philipsburg Cruise Port Hotels 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor Pinel has two breathtaking beaches. Burgeaux Beach, just beyond Simpson Bay, offers a cove and is a favorite of shell collectors and surfers. A weather forecasting app may help to ensure that your visit to the beach will be exquisite. Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Are Really Worth Your Time? The John Craane cruise terminal is a large open-air mall where visitors can shop, dine and head for their paid shore excursions. But once found, its truly worthwhile. St Maarten has one major road and it is not uncommon for there to be huge traffic congestion especially on afternoons. Great Bay Beach is a fun beach and everything you will need will be there------the beach---water sports---bars--restaurants----long & wide and close to the docks and along one of the best shopping streets in the Caribbean. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. Dont be surprised to see a beach goer who wears nothing at all. You can rent two chairs and umbrellas for $20 and relax the day away. Riselle Celestina for Insider. Marigot Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. It also has the massive cruise terminal nearby. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 1. The Philipsburg St. Maarten cruise port has three major attractions: the massive John Craane cruise terminal, the nearby city and Great Bay Beach right beside it. Visitors will find plenty of taxis at the docks ready to take them there. Hotels near Philipsburg Cruise Port Terminal in St Maarten 2. The island has gorgeous powdery sand beaches, charming. The water is warm with a pleasant surf. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. This beach is public, and you only need to rent chairs and umbrellas if you so wish. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. Be sure to pack some goggles or eye protective gear with you because when the larger planes take off from the airport, watch out for sand sprays on the shore may occur. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. Note that it is clothing optional. Other St. Maarten attractions include the Mont Vernon Plantation and the Butterfly Farm. Whether youre looking for a nice day out on the beach, or a day filled with fun things to do, this place is definitely enjoyable. Grand Case Beach. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Maho Beach is also known as the airplane beach and is the most famous and favorite spot for locals and tourists. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Orient Bay Beach is excellent for water sport activities such as snorkeling and many individuals prefer it for swimming and sunbathing than Great Bay Beach. Budget-minded walkers will go less than one mile or about 10 to 12 minutes to reach the beginning of the beach. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. The Water UFO is definitely good times, with family and friends. Baie Rouge is what youll expect what a Caribbean beach would look like. Taxis, which also are usually SUVs, have a T at the beginning of the license plate. Numerous restaurants line the boardwalk; many more restaurants plus plenty of shopping lie only one block over on Philipsburgs popular Front Street. They can walk a hundred more feet to reach many more restaurants and the ports extensive shopping district, most of which falls along the lengthy Front Street. The Dawn Beach is a picturesque vacation spot which can be located at the south of St the Maarten border. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. The beach also features great restaurants like the Rainbow caf, popular for freshly caught fish dishes and cocktails. Once youre there you will be approached by vendors selling chairs and umbrella packages on the beach that include beer and Wi-Fi. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Very convenient. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Beach chairs, umbrellas and jet-skis are available for a fee. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel La Plantation. This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. Maho Beach Arguably the most popular beach that travelers on cruises to St. Maarten visit is Maho Beach, which is known for having the area's longest stretch of hotels and resorts. "Everything was great, except check in because there's no place to park immediately until after you check in and pay the fees for the parking lot. The top three excursions in St. Maarten are 1) The Flying Dutchman zip-line, 2) a chairlift to the top of sentry hill and 3) racing on a multi-million dollar America's Cup yacht boat. As a result, it often draws large crowds. Seawater averages about three degrees cooler, which makes swimming good at any time. Indigo Bay Beach is famous because of its quality attributes, making it popular with tourists. Therefore, be sure to gauge return time to the ship properly as there can be traffic jams on afternoons from this beach back to the port. Not only will the beach take your breath away but also the view, including the sunsets and docked yachts, produce a postcard memory if you go on a trip in the Oyster Pond. Sea Palace Resort. Before we get started, youre going to need to check all these beach accessories. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. Here are 10 attractions near the cruise port to make planning easier for passengers. Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten - Tripadvisor The beach restaurants are currently closed due to hurricane Irmas damage, but rebuilding is taking place. What is there to do near the cruise port? Best way to get to French This beach offers chairs and umbrellas by the shore, which is perfect when youre in the mood to get a tan and bask out in the sun! One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa, Indigo Bay Beach, Indigo Bay Dr, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. Guana Bay Beach is on the route to Philipsburg, making it easy for day tourists to take a detour and have fun at this little beach. Walk along the beach on the boardwalk to find shops, food and drink or grab a chair and umbrella (usually for a fee) and take a dip in the bay. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. Water taxis to Maho Beach from the cruise port is easy to find and cost about $20. An island tour that includes quick stops at Orient Beach, Maho Bay, Marigot, Mullet Bay Beach and other attractions will cost about $50 per person. The beach is not far, and an affordable taxi ride takes you there. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Its the perfect beach spot if you want a quiet place to go without the touristy vibe. Alicia's Inn. It's a nice swimming beach with gentle surf, but there are also jet ski rentals and a pier you can sit on to enjoy the view of cruise ships and sailboats. Swim shoes may come in handy when walking by the shore, and there may be small rocks you may encounter when walking in the waters. Location You can find them at Airport Rd, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten Star Lite Car Rentals Star Lite Car Rentals are a local rental service provider in Cruise Port of St, Maarten. Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of the island and is the last beach on the way to the French side. Maho Beach is a 30-40 minute drive to reach, and it requires a shore excursion or taxi to get there. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. Car rentals. The beach which starts at the end of Princess Juliana Airport Runway attracts airplane fanatics, thrill seekers and even photographers. Views remarkable. Where you can relax and just enjoy the beauty. Best for Crown Bay Cruisers: Emerald Beach (Lindbergh Bay Beach) Why go: Home to the Emerald Beach Resort, Lindbergh Bay has all the things you want in a beach, while being located close. Maarten for 20 years, and I'm sharing the best things on the island. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. If you are planning an upcoming cruise for St Maarten or the rest of the Caribbean, I have an awesome product recommendation that can save you money. Maho Beach is famous because it is located so close to the airport that landing planes will swoop so close over the heads of beachgoers that some of them get knocked off their feet. Pinel Beach is found in an island lying just a few yards off the east coast of Sint Martin. Its also the perfect spot if youre looking for long and extensive coastal beaches and crystal clear waters. Have a sizzling barbeque with family and friends. From the small pebbles found on the shore to its magnificent coastlines, you are bound to fall in love with the beach as you take a long stroll. Bring your full gear or opt to rent for snorkeling to ensure that youll catch the breathtaking views underwater in Dawn Beach. The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour 206 Recommended Bus Tours from $450.00 $382.25 per group (up to 10) Ultimate Eco and Sightseeing Tour 33 Recommended Power Boats from $95.00 per adult Sunset Champagne Cruise in St. Maarten 18 Recommended Sailing from $50.26 per adult Private St Maarten Island Sightseeing Tour 7 Adventure Tours from The uncrowded shore of Grand Case Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, will lure you in with its clear turquoise seas and long, expansive coastline. If youre on a Caribbean cruise tour, Great Bay Beach is a fun stopover for daytrippers since it is located at the peak of Philipsburg. But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. Sint Maarten Beach Hotels; Sint Maarten Green Hotels; Sint Maarten Business Hotels; By Hotel Class. It is about seven miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port. St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour 36 Bus Tours from $40.00 per adult St Maarten Shore Excursion: Maho Beach and Orient Bay Sightseeing 23 Recommended Bus Tours from $35.00 per adult Calypso Tour 56 Recommended Bus Tours from $47.00 per adult Maho Beach Extreme Jet Blast 1 Bus Tours from $35.00 per adult The beach is certainly grand in Sint Maarten, and within steps from the port (unlike Cayman). St. Maarten Cruise Port and Things to Do for Cruise Travelers. There are villas located on the mountainous side, fun tours to try, and sightseeing activities on this island. Now, its a silent part of the busy beach leading to the cruise ship terminal, where tour operators await with open-air trucks to carry passengers to activities (USD cash accepted). Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. You can also take a stroll to the nearby market for the local cuisine. The nearby amenities and close proximity to the ship make it a very popular choice for cruise guests. Water sports are also an option for the group who looks for day thrills. Visit this beach to enjoy a great beach break on its soft white sands and when you get hungry grab a bite at the nearby restaurants. Located at the northern portions of St Maarten, Tintamarre Island is a secluded paradise unlike anywhere else. How to Get from St Maarten Airport to Hotel? The ride is only 10 minutes long. Beach bumming is the main activity here, but you can also try the locals favorite guava berry rum Coladas served at the little bars nearby. Temperatures stay in the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter and reach the high 80s in the summer. Additionally, there is a clothing optional area on this beach. Kayaking is also available on this island where you get to paddle across the entirety of the waters, a must-try activity for all ages. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Check these impressive Beach Foot Pads, definitely worth packing for your cruise. It is generally not as interesting as the nightlife around Maho and Mullet Bay, a characteristic feature of the Dutch side, long after the U.S. military built the Princess Juliana airstrip by 1947 and development ensued in the 1960-70s. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Second Lady kept saying how awful my daughters hair looked and that it wasnt professional. Sit on the pier with a great view of the cruise ships that have docked in the port. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. St. Maarten Beaches Near the Cruise Port - Caribeez The short runway forces planes to fly low over the beach. The Guava berry Emporium is the spot to taste and sample this locally made liquor. - Best is subjective as some prefer a cab, while others favour a Jinty Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. 17 Best Beaches in St Maarten (2023) Top Beach Spots! But dont take our word for it see for yourself. The walk is about 10 minutes, goes three fourths of a mile and is not difficult on a warm day. 1. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Then travelled back on water taxi (very good ride!) Until the development of the new cruise terminal, Front Street ranked among one of the best shopping experiences in the Caribbeanalong with Playa Del Carmen, St. Thomas and Old San Juan. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. The water is calm, no waves. The beach is great for swimming but at times can be rough so definitely one has to be cautious with children. The extended stretch of fine white sand is great, and the swaying palm trees offer respite from the harsh sun. A 10-15 percent tip for bus and taxi drivers is common. Eat at one of many wonderful restaurants on the beach offering fantastic cuisine and refreshing drinks. Mullet Bay has beautiful white sand with calm waters and amazing views and landscape. The roads are narrow and winding. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The waters on this beach are very inviting. If youre coming with kids who love water activities, you could try out their snorkeling and underwater fun for a lower price than other beaches in St Maarten. Its a beautiful beach with a great variety of fish in its ecosystem, and we suggest trying out the snorkeling activities for fun! This is a very nice beach, with soft sand, and gorgeous turquoise water. The popular cruise destination in the Eastern Caribbean has two sides and is known for being the smallest landmass to host two nations in one place. Fondly known as the Friendly Island, St Maarten is unique in that it is the smallest landmass divided between two nations in the world. 3. Baie Rouge or the RedBay beach is a gorgeous beach on the French side named so because of its pink sands. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.