The street is a long walk but not too challenging for anyone who is somewhat fit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are planning an upcoming cruise for St Maarten or the rest of the Caribbean, I have an awesome product recommendation that can save you money. Take a swim in the clear blue sea. While the Dutch side boasts of the closest beaches to the cruise port, the French side has some of the best. THE 5 BEST Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg of 2023 (with Prices Rates are $8-10 per person one way. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Playa Orient Bay. It did shelve quite quickly. The right portion is where families and children would bond through a number of recreational activities, and the left-most area is the adult division of the beach meant for nude sunbathing. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. 13 Stunning St. Maarten Beaches You Should Experience - Cruise Hive Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-box-4-0');There are many beach bars located in Maho such as Sunset Beach Bar, Driftwood Boat Bar, and the new Sandbar Beach Bar. You can take a tour of the nature reserve nearby as you explore the majestic beauty of the place. St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour 36 Bus Tours from $40.00 per adult St Maarten Shore Excursion: Maho Beach and Orient Bay Sightseeing 23 Recommended Bus Tours from $35.00 per adult Calypso Tour 56 Recommended Bus Tours from $47.00 per adult Maho Beach Extreme Jet Blast 1 Bus Tours from $35.00 per adult 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? Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. Cruise Tips. The powdery soft sand and coconut trees backdrop give it a magical atmosphere. The terminal has useful signs that point people to where they want to go. We were family of 5 with late teens, beautiful day off a cruise ship. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. Being on the Caribbean seaside, the beach has the advantage of calmer waters which are good for swimming and just enjoying the beach. Mullet Bay has beautiful white sand with calm waters and amazing views and landscape. This place is also less crowded and suitable for families looking for a spot for bonding and activities. The uncrowded shore of Grand Case Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, will lure you in with its clear turquoise seas and long, expansive coastline. Kids can play on the sand and enjoy a splash in the calm water. Snorkeling and diving equipment are available for rent as well as jet skis. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. While your ship is in St Maarten's port, swim and lounge at Orient Beach and Maho Beach on this half-day shore excursion. 370 reviews. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Where you can relax and just enjoy the beauty. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. 30 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise St. Maarten Cruise: Best Cruises to St. Maarten - Celebrity Cruises Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. The island has virtually no stop signs or stop lights. At the far end #27 is Dutch Blonds pancakes and escape rooms; just look for the windmill. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. If youre looking for a particular piece of jewelry Im sure you can find it here no doubt. You can access this beach by walking. Cruise visitors will arrive at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities just outside of Philipsburg on Great Bay. The calm waters on this beach justify its spot as the best beach for swimming in St Maarten. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. You can also enjoy the day at Great Bay Beach, Divi Little Bay Beach. Great Bay Beach is a cheap and easy option for your beach day in St. Maarten. Its not difficult to spend a day exploring this fantastic beach, be sure to pack some energy and appetite when trying out the local cuisine. Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port - Things to Do! - Gangwaze.com Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! A snorkeling excursion there costs about $75 per person including transportation. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holland House Beach Hotel, Also See:Best Beaches: BaliBarbados Beaches, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. The island has a small number of narrow winding roads, so car rentals even for a day are quite commonso common that traffic jams are frequent. St. Thomas/St. John Beach Guide - Cruise Critic Hotels near Philipsburg Cruise Port Terminal in St Maarten The liquor is a rare combination of aged rum, sugar cane, and wild guava berries found in the central part of the island. All Inclusive. Water taxis dock at the pier which is right on the beach - not in the very central part, but 3 min walk from it. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. 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. This is something extraordinary to write home about. Some include Orient Bay, Red bay and Anse Marcel. Required fields are marked *. It is quite a bit more quiet these days. #3 Best Value of 7 Philipsburg Cruise Port Hotels. Charged 30 dollars(should have haggled) for two sunbeds and an umbrella plus 6 free beers! The water taxi stand at the cruise port is just a quick walk north of the docks. For $7 you can get a water taxi round trip from the cruise port. It has become a popular destination for people ready to enjoy the sun rise and set while relaxing with a cocktail. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. It's about a $50-$60 for the round trip but it all depends on how many passengers. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. But dont take our word for it see for yourself. Luckily, given the islands size, you can visit any beach within the few hours allowed in port. Walk three fourths of a mile, ride in a land taxi or take a quick water taxi to the tourist district. Just a short walk away you can enjoy some duty-free shopping, great food, and delicious cocktails. Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. 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. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Driving around parts of the Dutch side, especially around Simpson Bay, adds some risk of traffic jams and late returns to the ship. Rainfall is a different matter. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. It takes one about 25 minutes to get to the beach. Taxis, which also are usually SUVs, have a T at the beginning of the license plate. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel La Plantation. Visit this beach to enjoy a great beach break on its soft white sands and when you get hungry grab a bite at the nearby restaurants. The only problem was the ladies that would walk up and down the beach selling stuffed animals, massages , and hair braiding. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. Orient Beach and the town of Marigot are two popular attractions on the French side of the island. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. 2. It's perfect for a lazy beach day. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? Also Read:15 Best Cozumel Beaches You Should Experience. Best Family Beaches in St. Maarten for an Outstanding Time If you prefer to walk its about 20 minutes. This is a very nice beach, with soft sand, and gorgeous turquoise water. At least when you get hungry, you are within easy reach of a restaurant, or you can go back to the ship for lunch. You can access this beach by walking. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. Rent a jet ski and take a ride on the water. Enjoy a nice blood warming match of volley ball. It often gets ranked as one of the best in the Caribbean. The coral reefs offer snorkelers a peek into St. Maarten water inhabitants. Its located near Maho beach, and though you can see the airplanes flying above, they are usually far away and therefore less noisy. Cheap property set in the centre of the city, walking distance from beach. We paid $50 for 2 I believe. If you've only got six hours: Dive or snorkel the second-largest coral reef in the world. This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. Some jet skis nearby filling up with fuel every 10 minutes which smelt terriblenot very safety conscious either as they were floating about in the water while filling up. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. 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. Though it's not nearly as . St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. We did end up getting some of our kids hair braided by two different people. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. From the great restaurants to the funky music, you cant afford to not love this beach. Great Bay Beach is also a family beach which is kid-friendly so that the whole family can enjoy. They should eat and drink at Emilio's, Come y Calla, Freedom Fighters Ital Shack, and Sunset Caf. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient, Maho Beach Half-Day Tour 2023 - Viator All sun protection wear can be found on Amazon by clicking here. You can take off and walk the boardwalk and sightsee or just relax and work on your tan. The water taxi ride costs about $4 per person. The casino hours are 10am to 4am daily. Then it climbs to a high point for the rest of the year. Its wide shoreline makes it a perfect spot for beach picnics and playing games on the shore. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. 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. The island only has one major road. Alicia's Inn. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. 4-stars Hotels in Sint Maarten; 3-stars Hotels in Sint Maarten; . This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is a beautiful beach that stretches 2 miles (3.22 km) long that looks like a postcard from every angle. 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. The sunset seen from Cupecoy is majestic, with views of Saba in the distance. Hence, the island of St. Maarten is one of the worlds top cruise port destinations. Maho Beach is a 30-40 minute drive to reach, and it requires a shore excursion or taxi to get there. The ENTIRE beach however is public and all the amenities of the resort are available to the public. September and November historically have the highest rainfall and are the riskiest months to go there. Food and drinks All this fun with family can make you hungry. Great Bay beach is a lovely beach to sit and relax while soaking up the sun or enjoying the view of the ocean. Kim Sha beach is the place to be for party-goers who want the time of their life. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Best Caribbean Cruise Destinations and Ports of Call - Thrillist Travel by water taxi is about 5 minutes and via taxi (car) about 8 minutes via Walter A Nisbeth Road. So, go there early to get a good spot on the beach. Beaches In St Maarten Near Cruise Port (The Ultimate Guide), Living In The Caribbean (Pros & Cons Fully Explained). Running parallel to the boardwalk is Front Street, which has most of the shops in the city. Find the right beach for you for spending your day in port. Here are 10 attractions near the cruise port to make planning easier for passengers. 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. Water taxis to Maho Beach from the cruise port is easy to find and cost about $20. What's Included: Three types of passes are available: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $90, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $105 and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. (full-day pass) for $195. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. Beach 3 Snorkeling 4 St. Maartan Airport Tour 5 Catamaran Tour 6 4x4 Adventure 7 Dolphin Encounter 8 Butterfly Farm 9 Scuba Diving 10 Horseback Riding 11 ATV 12 Kayaking 13 Bicycle Tour 14. One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. In Phillipsburg, one of the best things to do is shopping on Front Street or Back Street or hang out in Wathey Square. St. Martin/St. Orient Bay Beach is excellent for water sport activities such as snorkeling and many individuals prefer it for swimming and sunbathing than Great Bay Beach. Bicycles / scooters. "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. 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. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. Dont miss out on visiting the different souvenir shops where you could snag some trinkets and memorabilia to remember your Caribbean Trip here in Great Bay Beach. We recommend booking Great Bay Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. I know you will love visiting this Caribbean island as much as I do. St. Maarten Cruise Port and Things to Do for Cruise Travelers. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Snorkeling, swimming, and jet skiing are the reigning favorite things to do on Maho Beach. Best for Crown Bay Cruisers: Emerald Beach (Lindbergh Bay Beach) Why go: Home to the Emerald Beach Resort, Lindbergh Bay has all the things you want in a beach, while being located close. You can even take a short taxi ride into Maho to watch the planes take-off and land. It creates a very magical experience. This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! If I wanted to go to the French side, what is the best/easiest/cheapest way to do so? Visitors who take a 20-minute hike from Cole Bay Hill will reach Cove Bay, located between Cole Bay and Little Bay. What's the best way to see Great Bay Beach? 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. They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. This beach offers chairs and umbrellas by the shore, which is perfect when youre in the mood to get a tan and bask out in the sun! The Guava berry Emporium is the spot to taste and sample this locally made liquor. How to Get from St Maarten Airport to Hotel? My favorite is the guava berry colada. Taxis. Therefore, be sure to gauge return time to the ship properly as there can be traffic jams on afternoons from this beach back to the port. This was our second visit. The sand is indeed white, waves are crystal clear, and gives you a fun experience with the planes in the sky. Walk around to get the best deals on t-shirts, perfumes, cigarettes/cigars, alcohol, homeware and electronics, all duty-free. Children under 13 are free. Probably the most crowded beach during the cruise season is Maho Beach watching the planes land and take off, never gets old.
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