Whether you prefer to be laid back or power shop, St, Maarten is the island for you and your family to enjoy it all. Charged 30 dollars(should have haggled) for two sunbeds and an umbrella plus 6 free beers! They should eat and drink at Emilio's, Come y Calla, Freedom Fighters Ital Shack, and Sunset Caf. Due to traffic congestion on afternoons, remember to give yourself sufficient time to return to the ship. Rates include all on-property. 17 Best Beaches in St Maarten (2023) Top Beach Spots! Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. There are a number of bars that offer drinks and lounge chairs at the beach. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only. When the clock hits at the time of sunset, thats where the flashing lights, livid atmosphere, and the nightlife starts. Burgeaux Beach, located in the southwest heart of St Maarten, is the spot for surfers. Before we get started, youre going to need to check all these beach accessories. An exclusive shore excursion to Orient Bay costs about $70 per person. Few facilities or commercial establishments are available nearby. For $7 you can get a water taxi round trip from the cruise port. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Marys Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa. If you are after a more local atmosphere and better bargains, try Back Street. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. 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. Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking in St Maarten? Bars, restaurants, shops and other tourist shops spill out of front street along the promenade. Eat at one of many wonderful restaurants on the beach offering fantastic cuisine and refreshing drinks. Happy Cruising!! Visit Orient Bay village, within walking distance of the beach. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. The waters on this beach are very inviting. The sand is indeed white, waves are crystal clear, and gives you a fun experience with the planes in the sky. 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. Cruise Tips. Clear waters, beautiful horizon, and the quiet ambiance of the Grand Case Beach makes it a worthwhile destination. St. Martin/St. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. Head to St. Martin, the French side of St. Maarten, where you'll find a peaceful environment. Pinel Beach is found in an island lying just a few yards off the east coast of Sint Martin. Both offer relaxing stretches of sandy beach and an array of restaurants and amenities to make your time in St Maarten a memorable one. Cupecoy is a half hour west of the port and requires a taxi or rental car to get there. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. Make sure to take some home with you. Front Street in Philipsburg. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Cruise visitors will arrive at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities just outside of Philipsburg on Great Bay. Anyone visiting St. Maarten by cruise ship or to stay at the resorts should consider Orient Bay Beach as another one worth visiting. Maho Beach Arguably the most popular beach that travelers on cruises to St. Maarten visit is Maho Beach, which is known for having the area's longest stretch of hotels and resorts. The main appeal is the convenient Great Bay Beach, the long boardwalk that runs parallel to it and the shops and restaurants that line the boardwalk. Its wide shoreline makes it a perfect spot for beach picnics and playing games on the shore. Public bus. 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. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Shore Excursions & Cruise Tours: 2023 Reviews & Ratings - Cruise Critic Worth it even if you take just a dip. We walked from the port to the beach area around 20 mins and walked along the beach front stopping in and out of shops on routewe must have been offered sunbeds by at least 10 different people..most were polite enough when you said no but most were quite persistent and it was pretty irritating one after the other continuously. They can walk a hundred more feet to reach many more restaurants and the ports extensive shopping district, most of which falls along the lengthy Front Street. 285 reviews. 1. Guana Bay Beach, located on the southeast coast of the island, offers great views of St. Barthelemy and is used for wind and kite surfing. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. St. Thomas Beaches Near the Cruise Port - Caribeez.com 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? Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port Magens Bay has an entry fee of $5 for adults and children 13 and older. 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. Once youre there you will be approached by vendors selling chairs and umbrella packages on the beach that include beer and Wi-Fi. TThings to do near the St. Maarten Cruise Port. The extended stretch of fine white sand is great, and the swaying palm trees offer respite from the harsh sun. It has restaurants and bars, where you can get a bite or a drink from. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. This beach is as relaxing as relaxing gets; it even offers spa services to enhance the experience. Maarten beaches. But they mainly represent low-end casual in one group and high-end seafood and steak in the other. 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. What makes a good cruise port arguably is a combination of: The St. Maarten cruise port at Philipsburg has all of the above in a pleasant mix. From the great restaurants to the funky music, you cant afford to not love this beach. Where,s a nice beach on st martin calm waters, warm waters, for seven adults sandy beach no frills just drink and relax, swim . Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Are Really Worth Your Time? 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. All Inclusive Hotels in Sint Maarten; Near Airports. Another beach that is well loved by both locals and visitors to the island is Mullet Bay Beach. Two beach chairs and an umbrella go for $20. Beachfront resort located on Simpson Bay in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port - Things to Do! - Gangwaze.com Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. The water taxi takes you to a dock right at the public beach. If youre looking for a particular piece of jewelry Im sure you can find it here no doubt. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. You can take a taxi which charges about $6 per person to the beach. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Easily one of our favorite destinations among the best beaches in St Maarten, Baie Rouge offers long extensive shores and pristine cool waters. There you have it, 13 of the best beaches in Saint Martin. Walk around to get the best deals on t-shirts, perfumes, cigarettes/cigars, alcohol, homeware and electronics, all duty-free. Great Bay Beach isnt the best beach in the Caribbean or even the best beach on St. Maarten. Orient and Maho are the most popular shore excursion beaches, but Great Bay is free and a short walk away. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. There are many places to shop around and search for deals. It has BUS at the beginning of the license plate and the destination sign in the window. From this lovely beach, you will also see beautiful mountains against the magnificent blue sky over the sea. Take a chance at the slot machines and bingo games. Luckily, given the islands size, you can visit any beach within the few hours allowed in port. As a former crew member for Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line I can continue my passion by sharing my experiences with readers. A St. Maarten cruise has great appeal simply because the island has one of the best cruise ports in the entire Caribbean. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. Little Bay rests at the base of Fort . There is a large Westin resort located on this beach. Here you can dine at French, Thai, and Italian restaurants. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. St. Maarten Beaches + Things to do near St. Maarten cruise port :: st Shopping in St. Maarten: Where to Go & What to Buy - Celebrity Current This beach is public, and you only need to rent chairs and umbrellas if you so wish. Anguilla is the most popular of the three and only 10 miles off the St. Maarten coast. The locals are also friendly and charming to the tourists, making Divi Beach a warm place to stay at. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. With its nice horizon, outstanding view, and superb restaurants to trythe Oyster pond is one of the prettiest beaches in St Maarten. Here are the best things to do while in Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port! If youre coming with kids who love water activities, you could try out their snorkeling and underwater fun for a lower price than other beaches in St Maarten. Known to be a favorite spot among celebrities, this outstanding beach showcases a plethora of restaurants, hotels, and shops by the oceanfront, making it convenient for the tourists to go souvenir shopping. Grand Case Beach. I finally had to ask her to stop because my daughter was about to cry. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. This beach is perfect for surfing and windsurfing. Explore different ways to experience this place. It did shelve quite quickly. 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 $5 for a one way. You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach. All sun protection wear can be found on Amazon by clicking here. Then travelled back on water taxi (very good ride!) Car rentals. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Atrium Beach Resort and Spa St Maarten a Ramada by Wyndham, Also See:Beaches in BermudaBest Beaches in JamaicaPhuket Beaches, Guana Bay, PhilipsburgSint Maarten, NLD 1744. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Thats where Europeans set up shop and schooling for local children over a century ago. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. What is there to do near the cruise port? Best way to get to French 98% of travelers recommend this experience. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Very busy day when we went and so lots of sunbeds-a bit crowded together. The eateries are a hive of energy with an exciting atmosphere as many businesses, and VIP parties are held here. As a famous tourist island, this place is accessible and will give you the well-deserved vacation you need. Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Beach Tour Including Lunch in St. Maarten (From $139.00) Half Day Snorkeling and Beach Tour/Excursion (From $89.00) Private Sailboat Charter in St Maarten; Anguilla and Prickly Pear Cays day trip (From $160.00) 3 Island Adventure with stop at Tintamarre to swim with Turtles (From $146.00) It often gets ranked as one of the best in the Caribbean. Clear waters, beautiful beach, and powdery sandy shoreswhat more could you ask for in Divi Beach? Rent a jet ski and take a ride on the water. The French side shows more signs of wear (being hit hard by the 2017 hurricane) compared to Philipsburg. More restaurants are in the packed resort areas. There are villas located on the mountainous side, fun tours to try, and sightseeing activities on this island. Views remarkable. Visitors will find plenty of taxis at the docks ready to take them there. St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. The major cruise ships will dock in Philipsburg located on the Dutch side. The sunset in Cupecoy Beach is astounding, and we suggest you spend it at the bar while waiting for the vibrant ambiance at night. You can either take the watertaxi right to the center of this street or walk from the cruise terminal which will take you about 20 to 30 minutes. You only need to get to the port early. This is the beach for you. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes. The liquor is a rare combination of aged rum, sugar cane, and wild guava berries found in the central part of the island. You have detailed explanations in my Maho Beach review. Vacationers will find this place different from other St Maarten beaches because it is divided into smaller shores with surrounding limestone cliffs. Temperatures stay in the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter and reach the high 80s in the summer. Its a long stretch of several white sandy beaches nestled at the foot of sapphire colored sand cliffs. 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. 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 Hotels near Princ. 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. The best beach near the St. Maarten cruise port is just a quick walk or taxi ride away. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa, Indigo Bay Beach, Indigo Bay Dr, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. 10 Best Attractions near the Cruise Port in St. Maarten/St. Martin The beach is about 1/3 mile long. 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. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. Re: Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten 5 years ago Save Hi Maria, The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. The overhead plane landing makes it one of the most popular beaches in St Maarten. See all 9 Great Bay Beach tours on Tripadvisor, See all Great Bay Beach experiences on Tripadvisor, Luxury Beachfront 2 Bedroom Condo In The Heart Of Philipsburg/Great Bay, View all hotels near Great Bay Beach on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Great Bay Beach on Tripadvisor, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Philipsburg, Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store: Tickets & Tours, The Rusty Parrot - Sint Maarten Pirate Experience: Tickets & Tours, Healing Hands of Crystal: Tickets & Tours, Philipsburg Marketplace: Tickets & Tours, Evening Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo with Private Transport, Amalfi Coast Small group Tour by Boat from Sorrento, Shared Ferry Shuttle from St. Maarten to Anguilla, Rhythm Of Rum Tour & Rum Tasting Saint Lucia, Grand Staircase Escalante UT-12 Self-Driving Tour, 2 Day Argentinian and Brazilian Iguazu Falls, Premium Hanbok Experience in Hanboknam Gyeongbok Palace Branch, Orange County Premier Dinner Cruise from Newport Beach, Airport transportation between San Juan and Rio Grande. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. Bicycles / scooters. Frequented by tourists from far and wide, this beach is an amazing destination for all ages. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. These beaches are unique and vary in features courtesy of the Caribbean and Atlantic sea that border the island on either side. 3. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Arrived on cruise ship having read the reviews and took the $7 water taxi as advised. Though it's not nearly as . This lovely, well-sheltered beach offers crystal-clear calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. This makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Little Bay Beach is just right next to Great Bay Beach only separated by the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. This destination is also known to be the safest beach for kids since the water is calm and aquatic activities are relatively available in the area. Is this beach wheelchair friendly? Top 10 St. Maarten Excursions Catamaran ($1599.99) Sonesta Day Pass ($88.99) Speedboat & Snorkel ($124.99) Highlights & Beach ($55.99) Sightseeing ($44.99) Attraction Park ($138.99) ATV HIghlight and Beach ($99.99) Beach Bum Combo ($44.99) Full Day Sailing ($134.99) Sky Explorer and Dutchman ($98.99) St. Maarten Cruise Excursions Reviews 4.8/5 Enjoy a nice blood warming match of volley ball. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port. Great Bay Beach is a cheap and easy option for your beach day in St. Maarten. What is the best beach to go to from Cruise Ship - St Martin / St Great Bay beach is a lovely beach to sit and relax while soaking up the sun or enjoying the view of the ocean. It's perfect for a lazy beach day. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Esmeralda Resort, Burgeaux Beach, Burgeaux BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Pay a visit to the Maho Bay Beach which is situated right behind the Princess Juliana International Airport. Other than the makeup of the countrys population, St. Maarten is also popular for its beaches. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. Anyone with an interest in diving might consider either Little Bay or Kim Sha beaches. As such there is little vegetation. Taxi rates are set according to more than 20 zones around the island. Great views of the cruise ships and the marina at one end and at the other end are great views of the mountains. It is about seven miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port. The island has gorgeous powdery sand beaches, charming. Moreover, go for snorkeling and explore the underwater world. You can take off and walk the boardwalk and sightsee or just relax and work on your tan. Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only, The Villas at Simpson Bay Beach Resort and Marina, Atrium Beach Resort and Spa St Maarten a Ramada by Wyndham, Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa, Marys Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa, 35 Best Places to Visit in August in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in July in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in June in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in May in the USA. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',113,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-113{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}If youre into water sports, this is a one of a kind attraction in the Caribbean, great fun! Little Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go We rented chairs with wonderful service from Jimmy from the love boat restaurant and beach service , chair rental and service right on the beach with food and reasonably priced drinks were exceptional.. could not have asked for a more pleasant day til, Convenient swimming with shopping and restaurants. When you get hungry, visit the popular Chez Raymond for grilled foods and drinks. Great care must be exercised as persons have died in the past due to the effects of the jet blast. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Seawater averages about three degrees cooler, which makes swimming good at any time. After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. This is an active beach with water sports ranging from kayaking to paddle boarding. With palm trees leaning in, Do some hammock napping with your family. From the comfort of your lounge chair under the sun . Why We Recommend This Beach The residents rely heavily on tourists so I feel like the majority are super friendly and accommodating. Show Prices. Be sure to pack some goggles or eye protective gear with you because when the larger planes take off from the airport, watch out for sand sprays on the shore may occur. more. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. Best Family Beaches in St. Maarten for an Outstanding Time The beach strip has enough to offer during the day, though, and stores galore towards Achter Straatan enduring shopping destination! While the Dutch side boasts of the closest beaches to the cruise port, the French side has some of the best. Note that it is clothing optional. $$ - $$$ Caribbean Cajun & Creole Pub, Neighborhoods Points of Interest & Landmarks. The beach is not far, and an affordable taxi ride takes you there. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. Maho Beach is also known as the airplane beach and is the most famous and favorite spot for locals and tourists. Kids can play on the sand and enjoy a splash in the calm water. "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. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. 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. If you walk it's a 15-20 min walk cruise port-beach or vv. St Martin Beaches - St. Martin/St. Maarten - Cruise Critic Community It actually runs parallel to Front Street just one street over, do not miss out on the experience. It's about a $50-$60 for the round trip but it all depends on how many passengers.