Martin. Excited about sunrise and sunsets? Browse the shops for souvenirs and gorgeous beach wear. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. You can also take a stroll to the nearby market for the local cuisine. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. This area is family-friendly. The island has virtually no stop signs or stop lights. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-box-4-0');There are many beach bars located in Maho such as Sunset Beach Bar, Driftwood Boat Bar, and the new Sandbar Beach Bar. Where they want to go often includes Philipsburg itself. Its located near Maho beach, and though you can see the airplanes flying above, they are usually far away and therefore less noisy. They guarantee a low waiting time of 10 minutes or less. Mullet Bay may get too busy on the weekends, so we suggest that you visit during the weekdays to maximize your relaxation by the beach. It has restaurants and bars, where you can get a bite or a drink from. Fondly known as the Friendly Island, St Maarten is unique in that it is the smallest landmass divided between two nations in the world. 2017 Scott S. Bateman. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Front Street is famous for its duty-free shopping. You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach. The residents rely heavily on tourists so I feel like the majority are super friendly and accommodating. Great for: Beach time, diving, snorkeling, water sports. Its worth noting that shopping on Front Street has declined in recent years because much of it has moved to the John Craane cruise terminal. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. There are a number of bars that offer drinks and lounge chairs at the beach. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. 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. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. Royal Palm Beach Resort. Orient Beach, which lies north of Philipsburg in the French district, is the most popular and well-known beach on the island. I finally had to ask her to stop because my daughter was about to cry. 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. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. We were approached by multiple people right as we got off the water taxi and decided to pay $30 for two beach chairs, free wi-fi and five free drinks. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. Make sure to take some home with you. Some of the ladies started harassing a guy because he said no to a massage for his wife. Known to be near the Great Bay, you could make a side trip here to experience this beachs greatness. Our Cousin is a very active- independent young man that is in a wheelchair- I think it's going to be fine, but wanted to check? The overhead plane landing makes it one of the most popular beaches in St Maarten. $$ - $$$ Caribbean Cajun & Creole Pub, Neighborhoods Points of Interest & Landmarks. Recommended Hotel Nearby: El Zafiro Boutique Hotel. Orient Beach and the town of Marigot are two popular attractions on the French side of the island. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Clear waters, beautiful horizon, and the quiet ambiance of the Grand Case Beach makes it a worthwhile destination. The water taxi ride costs about $4 per person. You can take a taxi which charges about $6 per person to the beach. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. However, kindly note that this one is the furthest on this list from the cruise port. This beach presents a serene environment for laying back and just busking. 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. They have Jet-Skis rentals and water sports equipment rentals. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and local foods can be found at Rosies Snack Bar. These beaches are unique and vary in features courtesy of the Caribbean and Atlantic sea that border the island on either side. A St. Maarten bus is often an SUV. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. How to Get from St Maarten Airport to Hotel? In this spot, the beach and scenery look like a total postcard moment, a terrific place that will give you the best vacation ever. Check these impressive Beach Foot Pads, definitely worth packing for your cruise. This is the most affordable option. Walk three fourths of a mile, ride in a land taxi or take a quick water taxi to the tourist district. After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. St. Martin/St. Enjoy swimming in the water or lazing in the sun. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. There are few chain restaurants. Didnt feel too crowded and it was a great beach for kids to play and swim. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. There is a large Westin resort located on this beach. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. When the clock hits at the time of sunset, thats where the flashing lights, livid atmosphere, and the nightlife starts. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. What's the best way to see Great Bay Beach? Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. 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. But once found, its truly worthwhile. If tanning or water sports are not your thing, then you can take a walk around and enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and shops located in the area. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. Water Shoes might be good for a day on the beach when snorkeling, get yours here. This is an active beach with water sports ranging from kayaking to paddle boarding. Very busy day when we went and so lots of sunbeds-a bit crowded together. If you would rather walk there, its only a 15-minute walk down the boardwalk, and you can enjoy music and some local bars and restaurants along the way. Here are some of the best activities in St. Maarten. But be aware that some people have been hurt by the jet blasts. Rainfall is a different matter. They also have many water sports that are available. 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. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. Forums. Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. A five-hour shore excursion with transportation to Orient Bay and Maho Beach will start at $40 per person. I trust that you have found this information useful if your plans are to visit a beach while on a cruise to St Maarten. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. The middle area of the beach is usually where teenagers, couples, and families would go. Little Bay rests at the base of Fort . 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. 1. 285 reviews. water warm and lovely, beach clean. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. Surfing is also one of the best things to do in St Maarten; Mullet bay has northern winds, making it an excellent spot for surfers. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Walking to this beach from the cruise pier is easy and possible, and there is always the option of a water taxi. 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. Bring your full gear or opt to rent for snorkeling to ensure that youll catch the breathtaking views underwater in Dawn Beach. Do you need to book in advance to visit Great Bay Beach? Driving around parts of the Dutch side, especially around Simpson Bay, adds some risk of traffic jams and late returns to the ship. News. The best beach near the St. Maarten cruise port is just a quick walk or taxi ride away. 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! Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. Hotels near Princ. Dont be surprised to see a beach goer who wears nothing at all. Check out the list below for the top recommended Attractions near the Cruise Port in St. Maarten/St. Its located on the northeastern coast of the French side. Didnt swim, but its safe, I was told. At the time of this writing, getting to Marigot is $18 and Orient Beach is $20. If walking isnt appealing, there are quite a few transportation options. That aspect alone would make you want to visit this spot, and it also makes Burgeaux beach one of the best beach destinations on the island. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. The waves may get too high on windy days; take note of this. Then it climbs to a high point for the rest of the year. Both offer relaxing stretches of sandy beach and an array of restaurants and amenities to make your time in St Maarten a memorable one. Great Bay Beachs location is ideal if you want to enjoy the beach as well as take advantage of the excellent duty free opportunities available on the island. Find a Cruise. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. Pinel has two breathtaking beaches. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. There are many places to shop around and search for deals. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. . If you are going to be traveling to Maho beach its best to pack up and head back to the port latest 3:30 pm if your ships leaving at 5 pm. They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. Taking a bus is a less expensive option. Enjoy an exciting experience with this unique water ride. St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. This beach is perfect for surfing and windsurfing. St Maarten is loved by tourists and visitors to the island for its bustling night life, diverse dining options and its exciting duty free shopping experience. You can even take a short taxi ride into Maho to watch the planes take-off and land. We were family of 5 with late teens, beautiful day off a cruise ship. Snorkeling, swimming, and jet skiing are the reigning favorite things to do on Maho Beach. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. We were there for happy hour from 1pm to 3pm and had 2 cocktails for $10 from the Nazca bar and restaurant. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Top 5 Best Beach In St Maarten For Snorkeling Happy Bay Beach Happy Bay is a small beautiful beach that is located in the Northwest of the island between the Bay of Grand Case and Friars Bay.