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Cruise ships dock in the capital city of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten on the South side of the island. Cruisers can also experience the French culture of St. Martin, on the South side of the island. Anguilla is the most popular of the three and only 10 miles off the St. Maarten coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is reachable by ferry or excursion boat from Simpson Bay and Marigot.
St. Maarten Cruise Port Facilities?
You can purchase one way or round trip water taxi tickets to downtown Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach. The water taxi is one of the easiest and most common way cruise passengers go from the cruise port to Philipsburg. Maho Beach, located near the Princess Juliana International Airport, is famous for its unique experience of watching planes fly at a very close range overhead as they land. This beach is around 11 km from the cruise port, a journey of about 20 minutes by taxi. Its popularity stems from the thrill of plane-spotting, making it a unique shore excursion option, and one of the most popular beaches in the world.
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Where Cruise Ships Dock — Piers and Terminals
The island has pristine beaches where you can swim in crystal-clear waters and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Marigot is the largest city on the French side of St. Maarten and a popular shopping haven for cruise passengers. This picturesque harbor town lets you soak up French-Caribbean culture. You can walk through narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial buildings.
Shore Excursions
The walk is about 10 minutes, goes three fourths of a mile and is not difficult on a warm day. The water taxi stand at the cruise port is just a quick walk north of the docks. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. A bus transports the passengers to the second largest town on the eastern side of the island, Grand Case. A semi-submarine then takes the group on a 45-minute narrated tour of the coral reefs near this unspoiled fishing village. This semi-submarine only goes down to 5 feet underwater, but you will have a good view of a diver feeding the fish while you sit in air conditioned comfort.
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Mullet Bay (Dutch Side)
Throughout history, the building served as a jail, a fire station, and a post office, and nowadays it houses the court of law. Located in the heart of the town, only a 5-minute walk from the boardwalk, the old street is a great place to browse around and admire the picturesque facades of old buildings. St Maarten – the Eastern Caribbean pearl boasting stunning beaches, lush tropical nature, and kind, friendly residents – is an island of diversities! It is a small island divided between two countries – France and the Kingdom of Netherlands. Speak with your travel agent for information on wheelchair assistance.
Philipsburg and Sint Maarten are on AST (Atlantic Standard Time) and do not participate in daylight saving time (DST). This selection rounds out our guide to the top 45 things to do in St. Maarten, offering a wide array of experiences for every type of traveler. St. Maarten is a favored stop for many major cruise lines, offering a blend of Caribbean charm and cosmopolitan vibes. Adam's goal is to enhance your cruising adventures with practical tips and insightful advice, making each of your journeys unforgettable. The official currency of St. Maarten is the Antillean guilder or Florin (ANG).
There are many good restaurants in St. Maarten, and the ones on the boardwalk in Philipsburg are popular with cruisers and beachgoers alike. If you’ve always wanted to go horseback riding, there are a few good options in St. Maarten. Lucky Stables at Seaside Nature Park offers a 1 hour trail and beach ride, riding lessons and a private or semi-private ride through the trails. The Philipsburg Courthouse will be part of your walking tour, even if it’s informal. In addition to the charming building, you’ll find picturesque churches and hotels with interesting architecture.
This pretty garden pathway is worth walking through as you’re shopping and sightseeing in the town. Fort Amsterdam, a historical fortress on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, was originally built in 1631. The fort’s well-preserved walls and artifacts offer fascinating insights into the island’s colonial past. A cruise visitor who is thinking about a car rental might do so for visits to the less-populated French side of the island, especially the quaint city of Marigot. In December 2016, four Celebrity Cruises ships (Eclipse, Equinox, Reflection, Summit) docked here.
My favorite thing to do in Sint Maarten
You can also marvel at the colorful coral reef fish swimming around you. However, to experience the rum-making process, you can book a shore excursion to a distillery. It has also been a jail, post office, and fire station before becoming a museum.
Hop on a vehicle and traverse rugged terrains, natural trails, and scenic routes, discovering hidden gems and panoramic viewpoints along the way. This adrenaline-filled adventure allows you to experience the island’s wild side and create unforgettable memories. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is another fantastic watersport that allows you to explore the calm and shallow waters along the coastline. Balance on the board and paddle your way through the crystal-clear waters, enjoying the tranquility and the stunning views around you. SUP is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making it a fun family activity. One of the most iconic beaches on the island is Maho Beach, located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten.
We are committed to balancing our role as an economic driver and are dedicated to lessening the impact of our operations on the environment. St. Maarten is a successful cruise destination because we‘ve listened to the cruise lines and we understand the business. We understand the need to be able to offer a quality land experience to passengers, and the necessity of shore and land excursion revenue as well as sustainability concerns. As you prepare for your next vacation to St Maarten, be sure to explore more travel guides and resources to enhance your trip.
My inner child took over and I couldn’t stop marveling at planes of all sizes swooping in over the azure water. The vibe was infectious as beachgoers cheered, clapped, jumped and waved to incoming planes. Although Saint Martin and Sint Maarten share one island, they are distinct nations. Occupying the less-developed northern two-thirds of the island, Saint Martin is a French Overseas Collectivity and Marigot is the capital. Peruse the colorful Guavaberry Emporium, the country’s national liqueur. The centuries-old rum is made from a berry growing wild in the center of the island which, despite its name, doesn’t taste like guava, instead it has a woodsy, bittersweet flavor.
Cruise ships may tender in the Great Bay on busy days, and you get to shore on small boats. This wonderful beach is located around 15 km/9.5 miles (a 25-minute drive) from the St Maarten cruise port, on the northern coast of the island, in Saint Martin. The best way to get there is by taxi, on a shore excursion, or by car. This famous beach is one of the main St Maarten attractions and is located a 25-minute drive (14 km/9 miles) from the cruise ship terminal. It consists of a small stretch of white sandy beach located next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. St Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport is the main gateway for travelers arriving by air to the beautiful island of St Maarten.
It is situated on a hill overlooking the picturesque town of Marigot and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding area. The fort was built in 1789 to protect the island from potential invasions. The exhibits include archeological finds, shells, the history of the Arawak people, and other Caribbean artifacts. You’ll also learn about the island’s role in the salt industry and the Great Salt Pond. It is a semi-secluded, gorgeous sandy beach offering a lot of privacy for all visitors. There is a beach bar at one end where you can grab some food and drinks, as well as rent beach chairs and umbrellas.
Cruise ships dock at Harbour Point Village – a lively area full of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, market stalls, bars, and a restaurant. Follow airport signs to the taxi area located outside of the Arrivals building. Taxi services from the international airport to Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port typically take around 25 to 30 minutes. Our port facilities have been the catalyst for the improvement and development of different areas of the island. Our transportation network was improved by the completion of the Simpson Bay Lagoon Causeway in December 2013. The construction of this causeway eases traffic congestion for tours as well as for individual beach-bound passengers.
For visitors, understanding this system can take a bit of getting used to, but once familiar, it's an excellent way to navigate St. Maarten. It's advisable to have small change ready for the fare and to ask the driver about the final destination and stops to ensure you’re headed in the right direction. Discover the allure of St. Maarten, a Caribbean paradise where the vibrant culture and scenic beauty promise an unforgettable visit. This extensive guide delves into every aspect of St. Maarten, ensuring your trip is as enriching as it is enjoyable.
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