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It’s also easy to plan a hybrid city and beach day because Philipsburg’s popular shopping and restaurant area is close to the beach. The cities both boast different types of food, shopping and activities, making them two of the top things to do in St. Maarten/St. Each side of the island has a unique vibe and history that shaped it into the popular destination it is today. St. Martin is well-known for its beaches, shopping and fine dining establishments. In contrast, St. Maarten is celebrated for its more lighthearted vacation vibes of nightlife, stunning beaches and duty-free shopping. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport.
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
The bus system in St. Maarten is an efficient and cost-effective way for visitors to explore the island. Unlike the structured public transport systems found in many countries, St. Maarten’s buses are more informal. They are typically small vans rather than large buses and do not operate on a set schedule. However, they are frequent and cover most of the island, making them a reliable option for getting around.
St Maarten/St Martin Beaches
You can visit the main beach or take a 5-10minutes hike to the deserted side of the island for more beaches (note they might be clothing optional). This is the most convenient beach for a cruiser not wanting to wander far from the cruise terminal as it’s located just a short distance from the cruise port. To get around the island you will need a vehicle and luckily transport is readily available at the end of the short pier. There are water taxis, vehicles, trams, buses and even ATV’s at the transport stand. Visit Little Bay Beach if you’re looking for a beach that’s close to the cruise port, about 7-minute cab ride. This is a very nice beach, with soft sand, and gorgeous turquoise water.
Water taxi at St. Maarten cruise dock
The popular beach features stunning white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a vibrant beachfront promenade. Various water sports, such as snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding, are also available. Diverse transportation options into Philipsburg or elsewhere from the piers is available upon command.
Sea Cloud Cruises homporting shows Port St. Maarten's cruise diversity - Seatrade Cruise News
Sea Cloud Cruises homporting shows Port St. Maarten's cruise diversity.
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Orient Beach
Those who’d rather relax can visit one of the many beach bars for a tasty beverage. Great Bay Beach is another great beach option with its mile-long boardwalk, shopping, abundance of restaurants and stunning sand. One day cruise visits give plenty of opportunity to enjoy our unique key strengths like our famed culinary offer, excursions on land and sailing and water excursions. St Maarten / St Martin may be well known as a binational and vibrant destination, with 37 square miles it is also very compact.
Water Taxi to Philipsburg
It’s the perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun while enjoying views of cruise ships and the surrounding hills. Sint Maarten (Dutch side) and Saint Martin (French side) have much to offer cruise passengers with a day to spend on the island. Here are my top tips about shore excursions and tours you can arrange from the cruise pier. Although you can book them through your cruise line, many taxi drivers offer personal island tours. Maho Beach on Saint Maarten offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Various water sports, like windsurfing and snorkeling, are available as well.
Beaches on St. Martin are worthy sites to explore, too, like Grand Case Beach with its private beach club called the Grand Case Beach Club and Cupecoy Bay Beach. The latter is set amongst limestone cliffs, possessing both incredible natural beauty and natural wind protection. At the top of the cliffs are shops and beach bars to entertain you when you’re bored of the beach. Are you transferring to or from the Cruise Port to Princess Juliana Airport ( SXM )?
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise.
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However, you will have a fragrance to remember your time at St. Martin. The Flying Dutchman Zipline is an exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping excursion in St. Maarten. Billed as the world’s steepest zipline, the adventure includes a 1,050-foot drop on a securely harnessed chair. You get some of the most breathtaking 360° views of the Caribbean, including Anguilla, St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Barts.
Hence, the island of St. Maarten is one of the world’s top cruise port destinations. Boat tours travel around the island and allow you to experience hidden coves, the best beaches, and some even visit nearby islands. Most catamaran tours include food and drinks and come at premium prices.
Nestled in the interior of the island, this eco-tourism site features hiking trails, zip-lining adventures, and a tranquil pool area. It's a perfect getaway for those seeking an escape into nature and is highly recommended for families and adventure seekers. Each of these beaches provides a different slice of St. Maarten’s beauty and character.
You can walk to the capital of St. Maarten, Philipsburg, which takes 15 to 20 minutes. On busy cruise days, walking to town lets you avoid the long lines at the water taxi pier or taxi rank. The Great Bay Beach is within walking distance of St. Maarten Cruise Pier.
Otherwise, walk the boardwalk, and pick a spot on the beach and relax for the day, swim, drink, or tan. There’s so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. You will be dropped off and picked up at the pier here, you will know you have arrived when you see the map of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin mural on the ground. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. If you’re looking for a particular piece of jewelry I’m sure you can find it here no doubt.
Additionally, the port has several booths for passenger screening, making disembarking exceedingly efficient. One single pier (545 m) accommodating 4 ships simultaneously was one pier too few. Opened in 2009, the Harbour Group of Companies upgraded the port by building a second pier. St. Maarten is now one of the few ports able to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships – the Genesis-class vessels. You can choose between a full-day and half-day trip, based on your wishes and personal preferences.
Showing artifacts and curved items from the Arawaks and old photographs and important memorabilia of the colonial governments of the island. For just $1 per adult and free for children and students, St. Maarten museum is a must visit. The coral reef a few yards from the beach acts as a barrier that protects the pools from rough surf making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, floating or just wading in.
This pretty place has awesome snorkeling and it’s a nice island getaway with a picturesque tropical aura. Afterward, enjoy a hearty lunch on the beach and sunbathe awhile before you are whisked back to the main island. The lookout platform has information boards that are pretty helpful in capturing the protected nature reserve’s essence.
They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. Anyone who walks around the Philipsburg waterfront won’t find much else to see other than the beach, boardwalk, shops and restaurants. 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.
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