Walk three fourths of a mile, ride in a land taxi or take a quick water taxi to the tourist district. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. It does have a european attitude so there will be a number of topless bathers. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. It is also an option to walk from the cruise terminal to Philipsburg city center, but take in mind it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. We dont even recommend taking your passport. (At the end nearest the car park is also, FYI, a public bathroom. In the height of the season they often open the Dutch side bridge at 9 AM and 9:30 AM which really backs up the traffic. Pay attention to the signs, pals! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14761279', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights to San Juan. Try and get a seat along the railing! There were so many people that the waitstaff were ran off their feet, carrying gigantic trays from table to table and struggling to keep up with all the orders. This is clearly a popular holiday destination, whether for people travelling only to Sint Maarten, or cruise passengers and crew like me and my pal Rachel; but I was still surprised by how Americanised the whole place felt. I think this would certainly be less stressful! Most prices are clearly displayed in US dollars and most shops will have no problem accepting US dollars and will even have the change ready in US dollars. With just a couple square miles of beachfront blocks, exploring the downtown area of Philipsburg can be an especially easy thing for those looking to get to know the day. Mere steps from where the cruise ships dock in Philipsburg is the extremely popular St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge, which gives normal folk the thrill of racing in an actual Americas Cup regatta. Aside from this fact, the island has lots of sights to offer. ft of luxury, "STUNNING VIEW OF BEAUTIFUL CARIBBEAN IT'S MAGICAL" 3/27/23-4/15/23 AVAILABLE, St Maarten Airport SXM to Saba University School of Medicine, St Maarten Airport SXM to Hotel Christopher Saint Barth Gustavia, St Maarten Airport SXM to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, St Maarten Airport SXM to le Saint Barthlemy Saint Barthlemy, St Maarten Airport SXM to Baltimore Airport BWI, St Maarten Airport SXM to Dublin Airport DUB, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cartagena Airport CTG, St Maarten Airport SXM to Antigua Guatemala, St Maarten Airport SXM to Austin Airport AUS, St Maarten Airport SXM to Denver Airport DEN, St Maarten Airport SXM to British West Indies, St Maarten Airport SXM to Budapest Airport BUD, St Maarten Airport SXM to Caracas Airport CCS, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cottonwood Heights, St Maarten Airport SXM to Georgetown Airport GEO, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cape Liberty Cruise Port. Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. Distance to Cruise Port: 5.8 miles Distance from Airport: 8 minutes. Docking at the island is smooth, courtesy of the large pier that accommodates up to 7 ships. It takes approximately 9 min to drive from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. Distance to Cruise Port: 2.5 miles Distance from Airport: 18 minutes. Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. Some (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Our St. Maarten cruise excursions and island tours allow you to experience all the wonder of the Dutch part of the twin island, complete with water sports, hiking and biking, marine life, and quaint history in the capital of Philipsburg. Families with kids are welcome at Sonestas sister hotel, the Maho Beach Resort & Casino, located on the same property. St. Martin is great for any tourist! I only know two rental companies located near the cruise port. We are looking to go to the beach to watch the planes land. Taxi rates are fixed and based on how many people are in the taxi.Beneath are the taxi prices (starting at the cruise terminal) for 2 passengers, each additional passenger is US$5:to Philipsburg: $8to Pelican: $15to Marigot: $18to Airport: $20to Orient Bay: $22A sightseeing taxis tour for 2 passengers for 3 hours will cost you $90 dollars and $25 extra for each additional person. June 15, 2022 rey chavez distributor weekly specials rey chavez distributor weekly specials Dont forget to subscribe below and get my exclusive SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-2-0'); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. At St. Martins cruise terminal you will find international and local shops, tourist information, cafes and restaurants and a (water)taxi service.The cruise dock is about 1,5 km or 1 mile from the city centre of Philipsburg. Pinel Island can be reached via a short ferry trip across Cul de Sac as well. Topless sunbathing is common on the far side of Orient Beach, and beyond Pedros restaurant, currently being rebuilt, is a nudist colony. To get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach, youll need to take a taxi. There is also an internet cafe at the cruise terminal. Its the best place to enjoy a perfect beach day. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. This can happen as early as 8:30. You did not say what time the ship arrives however once you are in the taxi it is a 30 minute ride +/- depending upon traffic conditions which may or may not add another 15-20 minutes to your ride. Shopping: at the cruise terminal or in townTransportation: Taxis at the cruise terminal Watertaxi available to get you from the cruise terminal to town Beach: Great Bay Beach is the main beach in town. It is within sight of the ship, in the city centre and there are lots of facilities. le Tintamarre is a small island with an area of approximately 0.8km2. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. . There might be two extremes in St. Maarten hair-raising ziplines and sleepy sunset cruises but there is so much more to the island, which really grew on me during my short stay and now ranks as my favourite Caribbean destination. To the original poster,I didn't mention the "bridge" on the "longer route" because it's daily opening is not a given as the boat traffic @ Sandy Ground is far less than the bridge on the shorter route (Simpson Bay) as I've gone through there days on end and it never opened.And chances are it will not open 12/27 IF you take that route.IF it does, the time open will be very short as compared to Simpson bay. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 10m. We went to a beach just past the airport call Mullet Bay - if you want you can actually walk to runway to watch landings - for us, we skipped it because the only flights in / out were small inter-island planes. With so many things to do and see in St. Maarten, you may need to come back and spend a weeks holiday to really enjoy the rest of the island. I hope my article gave you an insight into the best of St Maarten/Saint-Martin. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 1.5 mi away from the city center. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.St Maarten cruise terminal. 3. The bus is only $2 per person and will drop you off in the parking lot. On the Dutch side you have Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach, located right next to each other on either side of the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. Many more are coming and cruise life is getting back to normal. You might also catch a glimpse of sea turtles and stingrays during your snorkeling adventure. With its European influences , St. Maarten is just begging to be explored from the land or sea via cruise ship. The port facilities for cruises to St. Maarten offer helpful amenities like ATMs, shops, a tourist information desk, taxi and rental car information, and restaurants if youre hungry right when you get off the cruise ship. Currently, we are unable to provide travel restriction information for leaving Sint Maarten. Philipsburg: Awarded Cruise Harbor. Read more about your options in the full Philipsburg, St. Maarten cruise port guide. This opportunity alone makes any St. Maarten shore excursion and trip incredibly fulfilling. Dont be alarmed, however, as you will rarely dock with 6 other ships. That was very silly of me. In my blog, I share with you my insider tips & knowledge and about cruise ports, shore excursions, cruise destinations, and crew life onboard a cruise ship! rel="sponsored nofollow noopener"if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0'); If you want to have an adrenaline-packed day filled with water activities and island exploration, you should go for one of the numerous boat tours offered by your cruise line and independent tour operators. Nowadays, the island reflects a blend of two cultures and mentalities that learned to live, work, and grow together. Dutch and French Side Island Sightseeing, A great place to taste the premium quality rum and see the rum-making process. I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? . $45/Adult. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port. Read Also: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico. Leisure car rental service recently won the WTA awards as the best St. Maarten car rental company for 2020. For the most part, we stayed out of the crowds but still appreciated the landings at an angle. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14746401', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight is at 10:30 you need to be at the airport to check in by 8:30. so it depends on what time you dock and how fast you can get off the ship. Good to know, ya know.). Round-trip transfers are the complete package, taking you to and from the airport. Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, which is divided between France and the Netherlands. . This price is very reasonable and affordable for everyone. Total cost to go and come back from the Sint Maarten cruise terminal (Philipsburg) to "airplane beach" (Maho Beach): $5.00 USD Total time: approximately 30 minutes to go and 30 minutes to return FINAL TIP: Just make sure you return with lots of time before your ship leaves! Private Two Islands Tour. A scenic half-hour taxi ride from port is Marigot, the main town on the French side. The French route it is just too much travel time and distance. The longer route will take about an hour BUT.no bridge wait time. The driest months are February and March, while the rainy season lasts from June to November. What a rush to grind a winch and trim a sail as official crew members of the same Stars & Stripes catamaran that carried Dennis Conner and his crew to victory in the Americas Cup. You might have already sensed from my description that this beach is not my kind of place. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. You either have to cross the Dutch side draw bridge or the French side draw bridge when coming from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? we will be on a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Finally we decided on a spot at the very far end, clear of the runway but close enough that we could make a run for it if we desperately wanted to be under the pathway of a jumbo jet. comes and goes as sxmlover says. You are free to walk, but you can also take the water taxi or a regular taxi. . more, St Martin / St Maarten Destination Experts. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Philipsburg 8.8 km. If you want to take a glimpse of the whole island, you should definitely join a sightseeing tour that covers both St Maarten and St Martin highlights.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); You can either take a taxi/car and explore on your own, or you can join one of the sightseeing tours organized by your cruise line or independent tour operators. I only know two rental companies located near the cruise port. 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. Why You Should Use Public Transportation to Maho Beach from the Cruise Port Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Port Norfolk Virginia. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. Leave the piers and head to the right, where theres a row of taxis waiting to leave. Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. Finding the way is easy. If you are going from the Dutch into French side and back there is no border control or anything like that. is a turnaround day for vacationers and the airport will be busy. One-way transfers are perfect for those who just want to get to their destination without worrying about how they'll get back. Check out, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch. Help, Get answers to your questions about St Martin / St Maarten, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Browse all 24,710 St Martin / St Maarten topics . . About 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico in the northeast part of the Caribbean lies St. Maarten, a cruise community favorite destination. 1 mile from the cruise terminal. Absolutely not. For those looking for a different kind of beauty, the Caribbeans finest butterfly farm and a guided local artisan tour are fine ways to spend the day. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. St. Martin is the worlds smallest territory shared by two countries. The water taxi is wheelchair accessible. Resort Beach DayFor guests not wishing to make the trek to the French side of the island, there's su. The water taxi departs from the Captain Hodge Pier. The cruise port is located on the French side of the island. Cancun Airport has four passenger terminals (total 62 gates) of . Just walk up to the transport booth at the end of the pier and choose from a number of choices availed to you. The Airplane Beach in St Maarten is not what I was expecting. Wouldn't y. You cant miss it. The walk is 100-200 meters long (depending on the location of your cruise ships dock), and in case you have difficulty in walking, there is a small trolley that can take you there for free. . Related Post:Best Snorkel Locations in the Caribbean. More 1 hour Free Cancellation From $9.00 Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to St Maarten Airport 86 The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. Visit the Loterie farm, St. Maarten zoo, the Butterfly farm or be blown away at one of the worlds most dangerous airports for example. The Dr Wathey Pier, on a walking distance from Philipsburg, is a strategic hub for cruise vessels in the middle of the Caribbean. . Everyday Im hustlin With over 500 duty-free stores this must be absolute shoppers paradise. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); Despite the occasional conflicts they had in history, French and Dutch nations have lived together on this tiny piece of land for over three centuries. It makes for a cool picture, but for those looking to relax in solitude, this isnt the beach for you. However US dollar are widely accepted. !as they posed for group photos. Great Bay Beach. Wait, what? However, the Water Taxi is $7 round trip and a short 5-10 minute water ride to a beach. At the cruise terminal you will find signs that will lead you there. Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment Tips by a Pro! The new year started with the return of Disney Cruises, Marella Celebration and Royal Caribbeans massive Harmony of the Seas on January 2. The sun was scorching hot and getting into the cool water melted away the crazy sweaty energy of the beach bar.