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. An invisible boundary divides the 37 km island into two countries. There are few chain restaurants. Its wide shoreline makes it a perfect spot for beach picnics and playing games on the shore. 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. St. Maarten. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. The coral reefs offer snorkelers a peek into St. Maarten water inhabitants. The crystal-clear waters beckon to beach bummers, and once you are in you might not get out till its time to head back. St Maarten has one major road and it is not uncommon for there to be huge traffic congestion especially on afternoons. 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. Another beach that's one of the best beaches to visit during a cruise is one you can walk to from the cruise port, right? Beachfront resort located on Simpson Bay in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available to rent. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It is quite a bit more quiet these days. If you are looking for a beach away from the hustle of the capital city with a Caribbean feel, then Orient Bay Beach is an amazing option to consider. Where on French side? Enjoy a nice blood warming match of volley ball. Little Bay Beach is known for its long stretch of white sand, calm waters, and excellent snorkeling activities. Also Read:15 Best Cozumel Beaches You Should Experience. St. Maarten cruise docks. The casino hours are 10am to 4am daily. Its arguably famously known as the bikini beach as it entertains many lively parties and holds huge crowds of party people. 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. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. Cruise passengers get from the docks to Philipsburg via walking, taxi or an inexpensive water taxi. Two beach chairs and an umbrella go for $20. The Second Lady kept saying how awful my daughters hair looked and that it wasnt professional. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport. This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When you get hungry, visit the popular Chez Raymond for grilled foods and drinks. Vans are also available, and prices vary depending on the number of people on board. Great beach. Once we got the the beach there are people there trying to rent you lounge chairs. On foot. Public bus. Drop off at the resort and walk in between the buildings to get to the beach behind it. 285 reviews. 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. There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Its surrounded by perfect vistas of the ocean and lush hills. Its like a 3 min ride. Happy Cruising!! A taxi ride to this beach costs approximately $16 a trip. 10 Indulgence by the Sea St. Maarten Photo courtesy of Indulgence by the Sea The Indulgence by the Sea Spa. Maho Beach is a bucket list item for most tourists visiting St. Martin. The chairs and umbrellas are $5 each. And that brings up After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. Food and drinks All this fun with family can make you hungry. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? Alternatively, you can take a 20 minute stroll to Great Bay Beach. Bring your full gear or opt to rent for snorkeling to ensure that youll catch the breathtaking views underwater in Dawn Beach. There are street bars, rum shacks serving ice-cold beer, and restaurants serving delicious food. 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. Find a Cruise. Grab a beach chair and umbrella and enjoy your day in port at this lovely beach. Here are some of the best activities in St. Maarten. Maarten; Cruise Critic Community. The best beach near the St. Maarten cruise port is just a quick walk or taxi ride away. Here you can dine at French, Thai, and Italian restaurants. 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. 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. Had an enjoyable walk along the beach and a very good day. - Best is subjective as some prefer a cab, while others favour a Jinty The island has gorgeous powdery sand beaches, charming. Top Excursions in St. Maarten The Flying Dutchman Zip-Line Chairlift to Sentry Hill Racing on a Yacht This beach offers a lively atmosphere that is perfect for beachgoers. You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach. This white sandy beach is a sight to behold. View of cruise ship and stores. Having your towels on your beach loungers will reserve them for the day. The city of Philipsburg itself is one of the best attractions on the island because of its appealing and well-developed tourism district. Some beach visitors get so close that the blast from the jet engines knock them over. All Inclusive. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. You only need to get to the port early. Roatan, Honduras. water warm and lovely, beach clean. 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? With palm trees leaning in, Do some hammock napping with your family. 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. Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. Orient Bay is the most popular beach in St. Martin. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Recommended Hotel Nearby: El Zafiro Boutique Hotel. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Clear waters, beautiful beach, and powdery sandy shoreswhat more could you ask for in Divi Beach? As a result, it often draws large crowds. 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. 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. Little Bay rests at the base of Fort . Little Bay Beach is just right next to Great Bay Beach only separated by the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. Located at the northwestern coast of St Maarten, it is a great surfing stop for beginners due to its gentle waves. Re: Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten 5 years ago Save Hi Maria, The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. Orient and Maho are the most popular shore excursion beaches, but Great Bay is free and a short walk away. St. Maarten is one of the most popular destinations for eastern and southern Caribbean cruises, so cruise visitors need to know that Great Bay Beach is one of the best beaches near the cruise port. St. Martin/St. 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. Visitors will find plenty of taxis at the docks ready to take them there. 285 reviews. If walking isnt appealing, there are quite a few transportation options. Get a lounge chair and umbrella going for about $7, kick back and relax. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. You also get the use of their facilities. The beach has rental chairs and umbrellas available for rent for the day. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. We suggest checking in to the lovely villas by the cliff, and youll surely enjoy your time with a majestic view of the blue waters. Marigot Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. Mullet Bay is ideal for travellers who are looking for a lowkey beach with a relaxing ambiance. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Here are the best things to do while in Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port! Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! 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. I think you can also walk around to the beach instead of the water taxi. It takes just a 20-minute stroll to get there, and the beach area and boardwalk. 3. What restaurants are near Great Bay Beach? It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. Temperatures stay in the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter and reach the high 80s in the summer. The island has virtually no stop signs or stop lights. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Orient Beach, which lies north of Philipsburg in the French district, is the most popular and well-known beach on the island. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? Fondly known as the Friendly Island, St Maarten is unique in that it is the smallest landmass divided between two nations in the world. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. This is an active beach with water sports ranging from kayaking to paddle boarding. The St. Martin French restaurants in Marigot are smaller and more casual. Drivers are sometimes aggressive when fighting through traffic. There are villas located on the mountainous side, fun tours to try, and sightseeing activities on this island. Its not easy elsewhere to find washrooms for public use, except at restaurants by the beach. You can even take a short taxi ride into Maho to watch the planes take-off and land. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. Other than the makeup of the countrys population, St. Maarten is also popular for its beaches. The roads are narrow and winding. The water taxi takes you to a dock right at the public beach. Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. Very convenient. Grand Case Beach. 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. Unfortunately, you may only get a glimpse of this gem of an island, I always recommend a proper vacation for a week or two. There are many places to shop around and search for deals. Visit Orient Bay village, within walking distance of the beach. 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. For the vacationers who are early birds, they get to have a glimpse of a spectacular sunset, so be sure to set your alarms early. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. You can rent two chairs and umbrellas for $20 and relax the day away. They also have showers and restrooms that are all nearby and available for everyone to use. Travel to Maho beach and watch jumbo jets fly overhead to land at the nearby airport. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. 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. Shops and food along the boardwalk. Great care must be exercised as persons have died in the past due to the effects of the jet blast. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. My favorite is the guava berry colada. TThings to do near the St. Maarten Cruise Port. 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. Sint Maarten Beach Hotels; Sint Maarten Green Hotels; Sint Maarten Business Hotels; By Hotel Class. The Philipsburg and Simpson Bay restaurants cater to all tastes. Alicia's Inn. The clear crystal waters offer the perfect chance to snorkel, especially on the rockier shores. Explore different ways to experience this place. Philipsburg Cruise Port in Sint Maarten. It is very close to the cruise terminal and you can get there either by water taxi for $7 with a return ticket or pay $5 for a one way. This beach is perfect for surfing and windsurfing. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Clear waters, beautiful horizon, and the quiet ambiance of the Grand Case Beach makes it a worthwhile destination. 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. Indigo Beach Bay offers a variety of activities. The beach strip has enough to offer during the day, though, and stores galore towards Achter Straatan enduring shopping destination! Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port. It is located on the French side and is about a 20-minute ride from the port. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. A 10-15 percent tip for bus and taxi drivers is common. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel La Plantation. September and November historically have the highest rainfall and are the riskiest months to go there. This is the beach for you. 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. St. Barth is frequented by the rich and famous. The place is fabulous. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. 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. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Mullet Bay has beautiful white sand with calm waters and amazing views and landscape. The beach is 18 minutes or five miles from the Havensight cruise docks. Calm and clear azure waters with an excellent view of the Ocean is what greets you at Grand Case Beach. Are you looking for a unique experience by the beach thats accessible and convenient? Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in St Maarten, located near Princess Juliana Airport. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. From the comfort of your lounge chair under the sun . Once youre there you will be approached by vendors selling chairs and umbrella packages on the beach that include beer and Wi-Fi. 2. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. While your ship is in St Maarten's port, swim and lounge at Orient Beach and Maho Beach on this half-day shore excursion. Its turquoise blue waters hit the shorelines and leave a gushing atmosphere at its wake. We took a water taxi to this beach. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. "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. Galion Beach is very popular with families and adrenaline junkies. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. We visited Secrets Resort in Saint Martin a week ago. 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. These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island. Authentic name brands like Armani, Versace, Gucci are just some designer brands you will find. What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Curacao, What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Bonaire, Living In Aruba (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Eustatius ( Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Maarten (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In Saba Island (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), St Maarten Vs St Martin (Which Is Better For A Vacation), St Thomas vs St Maarten ( Which Island Is Better To Visit), Your email address will not be published. If you've only got six hours: Dive or snorkel the second-largest coral reef in the world. Sit, relax, and work on your tan, sipping on cocktails, or you can enjoy some water sports such as jet-skiing, snorkeling, and much more. The Philipsburg boardwalk lies between the beach and the shopping district of the city. Vacationers will find this place different from other St Maarten beaches because it is divided into smaller shores with surrounding limestone cliffs.