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 Water UFO is definitely good times, with family and friends. You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. The locals are also friendly and charming to the tourists, making Divi Beach a warm place to stay at. 2. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. - Best is subjective as some prefer a cab, while others favour a Jinty The terminal has useful signs that point people to where they want to go. Excited about sunrise and sunsets? Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. I finally had to ask her to stop because my daughter was about to cry. 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). 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. Its also the perfect spot if youre looking for long and extensive coastal beaches and crystal clear waters. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. St Maarten/St Martin Beaches Maho Beach - This famous beach is one of the main St Maarten attractions and is located a 25-minute drive (14 km/9 miles) from the cruise ship terminal. Philipsburg Cruise Port in Sint Maarten. Charged 30 dollars(should have haggled) for two sunbeds and an umbrella plus 6 free beers! Though it's not nearly as . A guide, complimentary refreshments and round-trip transportation from the . Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. Please note that some of the beaches mentioned were heavily hit by hurricane Irma and are still rebuilding. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'stmaartenadventure_com-box-3','ezslot_2',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-box-3-0');When youre on a Caribbean cruise, most likely you will end up stopping in Sint Maarten, the cruise capital of the Caribbean. They prob stop and ask about every 5 mins so it does get annoying. Is there anything near the cruise port? Recommended Hotel Nearby: Esmeralda Resort, Burgeaux Beach, Burgeaux BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. Orient Bay Beach is the most popular beach in St Martin, so expect there to be a crowd. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Little Bay is located about a 10 minute drive from the cruise port. Anguilla is the most popular of the three and only 10 miles off the St. Maarten coast. Mullet Bay Mullet Bay Beach Sint Maarten, NLD 1744 Mullet Bay is ideal for travellers who are looking for a lowkey beach with a relaxing ambiance. 17 Best Beaches in St. Maarten Top Public Beach Spots! Sit on the pier with a great view of the cruise ships that have docked in the port. 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. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. While the Dutch side boasts of the closest beaches to the cruise port, the French side has some of the best. We were family of 5 with late teens, beautiful day off a cruise ship. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. This beach is as relaxing as relaxing gets; it even offers spa services to enhance the experience. 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. However, the good news is that the beaches are there and your favorite restaurants and resorts are hard at work rebuilding. Some beach visitors get so close that the blast from the jet engines knock them over. Rates quoted by the St. Maarten Taxi Association are $10 per person each way for two passengers and $9 per person for three to five passengers. The Great Bay Beach is a well-maintained destination complete with white sandy dunes and clear waters, which is why its among our top picks when it comes to the different nice beaches in St Maarten. Dont miss out on visiting the different souvenir shops where you could snag some trinkets and memorabilia to remember your Caribbean Trip here in Great Bay Beach. Orient Beach and the town of Marigot are two popular attractions on the French side of the island. But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. before joining cruise ship. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. You can access this beach by walking. Anyone with an interest in good beaches might instead consider a shore excursion to one of the neighboring islands, such as Anguilla, St. Barth or Saba. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Great Bay Beach: Great Bay Beach, Philipsburg: Address, Great Bay Beach Reviews: 4.5/5. It is located on the French side and is about a 20-minute ride from the port. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport. If you've only got six hours: Dive or snorkel the second-largest coral reef in the world. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Temperatures stay in the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter and reach the high 80s in the summer. A playground is still delightful for toddlers across from shops beside Holland House Hotel, where cruise passengers can purchase the Beach Special ($25 toilets, beach chair and shower with wifi). Drivers are sometimes aggressive when fighting through traffic. 1 mile away from Friars Bay Beach is a walking trail that takes you right into the heart of the open beach and the black rock formation. This is the beach for you. Riselle Celestina for Insider. Just west of Philipsburg, this beach also pulls in its share of tourists, although it's a little less busy than Great Bay Beach. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Where they serve fresh fish and lobsters for lunch among others. The waves may get too high on windy days; take note of this. 1. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Children under 13 are free. The swell is never too high thanks to its coral reefs. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. St. Barth is frequented by the rich and famous. Kim Sha is a popular starting point for dive and excursion boats. Visit Orient Bay village, within walking distance of the beach. Kim Sha beach is the place to be for party-goers who want the time of their life. But among this plethora of sandy dunes and pristine waters, we went ahead and narrowed down a list of the best beaches in St Maarten. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is a beautiful beach that stretches 2 miles (3.22 km) long that looks like a postcard from every angle. It is about seven miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port. The Sunset Beach Bar is a popular destination amongst St.Maarten tourists and locals, other places in Maho are Driftwood Boat bar right on the beach great spot to catch the planes and a new bar called Sand bar. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Each offers truly unique characteristics and there's a . Get sandblasted by the jets as the plane fly by. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. Luckily, given the islands size, you can visit any beach within the few hours allowed in port. Nature lovers have additional reasons to love this beach, owing to the fact that its located near the Oyster pond marina. We paid $50 for 2 I believe. Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of the island and is the last beach on the way to the French side. This area is family-friendly. If you get bored and want to try a different scene, you can visit Happy Bay beach which is just a short distance away. Anyone who walks around the Philipsburg waterfront wont find much else to see other than the beach, boardwalk, shops and restaurants. Located at the northern portions of St Maarten, Tintamarre Island is a secluded paradise unlike anywhere else. You can also take a stroll to the nearby market for the local cuisine. Vans are also available, and prices vary depending on the number of people on board. If you are after a more local atmosphere and better bargains, try Back Street. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. While it is useful to consider a rental car, bus or taxi, it is wise to avoid renting a bicycle or scooter. There are villas located on the mountainous side, fun tours to try, and sightseeing activities on this island. Taxis. Grab a beach chair and umbrella and enjoy your day in port at this lovely beach. I think you can also walk around to the beach instead of the water taxi. Clothing is optional because it is secluded and located by the French St. Martin border. Its like a 3 min ride. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. A weather forecasting app may help to ensure that your visit to the beach will be exquisite. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. Head to St. Martin, the French side of St. Maarten, where you'll find a peaceful environment. Have in mind last taxis back to cruise port depart around 5.30-6 PM, so if your ship departs late in the evening there's no point spending 7$ pp. "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 beach is great for swimming but at times can be rough so definitely one has to be cautious with children. Re: Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten 5 years ago Save Hi Maria, The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. You could choose to bring your umbrellas and mat for picnics and sunbathing, and you could save some money while still enjoying this beachs amenities. However, if you are looking for a quieter beach, then this isnt that beach, and you should probably try Mullet beach found nearby. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 1.5 mi away from the city center.It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. It takes approximately 5 minutes by water taxi and 8 minutes by car to arrive at this location. A St. Maarten bus is often an SUV. Top Excursions in St. Maarten The Flying Dutchman Zip-Line Chairlift to Sentry Hill Racing on a Yacht Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Should I Visit? 2 sun beds, umbrella and table for $30. A cab to the beach costs about $9 per person while a bus costs $2 per person. From water sports, swimming, sunbathingyoull never run out of things to do. In this spot, the beach and scenery look like a total postcard moment, a terrific place that will give you the best vacation ever. Otherwise, walk the boardwalk, and pick a spot on the beach and relax for the day, swim, drink, or tan. Very pretty mountains around the bay and it's great to watch the ships come and go. But they mainly represent low-end casual in one group and high-end seafood and steak in the other. They also have many water sports that are available. Great Bay Beach is a cheap and easy option for your beach day in St. Maarten. 3-Hour Guided Jeep Tour Island Highlights and 1-Hour Relax by Beach, The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour, The Original Eco Tour Full-Day Around the Island of Sint Maarten, Private St Maarten Island Sightseeing Tour, Best Of St Maarten Private Nightlife Tour, Modern Interactive Art MaShin Tour in Philipsburg with Pickup, @Philipsburg: calling all Sunbathers and shoppers. There is also a small souvenir flea market nearby, just keep walking straight in pass Back Street, its hard to miss. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. Little Bay, located near Fort Amsterdam and Philipsburg, is a beach dive location with calm waters and rock beach breaks. The island is also a famous spot for hiking and exploring the enthralling red cliffs scattered all throughout the area. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. Bring your full gear or opt to rent for snorkeling to ensure that youll catch the breathtaking views underwater in Dawn Beach. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region.