A snorkeling excursion there costs about $75 per person including transportation. 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. Sint Maarten Beach Hotels; Sint Maarten Green Hotels; Sint Maarten Business Hotels; By Hotel Class. This is something extraordinary to write home about. Here are 10 attractions near the cruise port to make planning easier for passengers. Easily one of our favorite destinations among the best beaches in St Maarten, Baie Rouge offers long extensive shores and pristine cool waters. The idyllic island of St. Maarten is well known for its stunning white-sand beaches, impossibly aquamarine waters, and incredible culinary scene. They also have many water sports that are available. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. From the small pebbles found on the shore to its magnificent coastlines, you are bound to fall in love with the beach as you take a long stroll. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. Front Street in Philipsburg. We ended up at the far end with our beach towels on the sand as we were not spending a whole daythat was perfect. With its nice horizon, outstanding view, and superb restaurants to trythe Oyster pond is one of the prettiest beaches in St Maarten. Here are some of the best activities in St. Maarten. Its arguably famously known as the bikini beach as it entertains many lively parties and holds huge crowds of party people. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. Though it's not nearly as . From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. Cruise passengers get from the docks to Philipsburg via walking, taxi or an inexpensive water taxi. For tourists who have a heart for adventure, this ones 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. Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Should I Visit? If this is something you would like to see and enjoy, then, by all means, visit Maho beach for this once in a lifetime experience. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. Anyone wanting a break from Great Bay Beach can stroll along the Boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants and shops. The place is fabulous. 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. Travel by water taxi is about 5 minutes and via taxi (car) about 8 minutes via Walter A Nisbeth Road. This is the place to chill out, hang out with your friends while sipping a Pina Colada by the sand bar. They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-banner-1-0');Visit Little Bay Beach if youre looking for a beach thats close to the cruise port, about 7-minute cab ride. This beachs convenience makes it a hot spot for many tourists who are looking to relax and have some fun. Located about 20 minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal, this white sand beach is surrounded by lush green landscape. Beforehand, youll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking in St Maarten? Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun. Sunscreen can be expensive on the cruise ship, get yours here. What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Orient Bay Beach. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! 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. But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. You can take a tour of the nature reserve nearby as you explore the majestic beauty of the place. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region. 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. Shops and food along the boardwalk. Report inappropriate content sxmlover Cupecoy Bay, St. Level Contributor 13,129 posts 18 reviews 50 helpful votes 9. This beach offers a lively atmosphere that is perfect for beachgoers. Authentic name brands like Armani, Versace, Gucci are just some designer brands you will find. Car rentals. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. The water taxi stand at the cruise port is just a quick walk north of the docks. Little Bay beach is located West of the capital (Philipsburg) making the beach a little less busy and less crowded. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. Maho Beach is usually a favorite of visitors to the island and it is a tiny beach. Dont be surprised to see a beach goer who wears nothing at all. While your ship is in St Maarten's port, swim and lounge at Orient Beach and Maho Beach on this half-day shore excursion. 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. Want to have that french au naturel ambiance? The calm waters on this beach justify its spot as the best beach for swimming in St Maarten. Happy Cruising!! 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. 10 Indulgence by the Sea St. Maarten Photo courtesy of Indulgence by the Sea The Indulgence by the Sea Spa. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Its worth noting that shopping on Front Street has declined in recent years because much of it has moved to the John Craane cruise terminal. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Check it out and enjoy your Caribbean adventure to the fullest! Due to traffic congestion on afternoons, remember to give yourself sufficient time to return to the ship. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. Rent a jet ski and take a ride on the water. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and local foods can be found at Rosies Snack Bar. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. The Philipsburg boardwalk lies between the beach and the shopping district of the city. Having your towels on your beach loungers will reserve them for the day. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. View of cruise ship and stores. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. 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. Simpson Bay Beach is a long half-moon of white sand located by a fishing village. Note that the beach is on the French side and therefore clothing is optional. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. 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. Do the taxis going from the St. Maarten cruise port to great bay beach dock at a pier or beach? I myself have been frequenting the island since 1995 and still love watching the planes from Maho. 17 Best Beaches in St. Maarten Top Public Beach Spots! The nearby amenities and close proximity to the ship make it a very popular choice for cruise guests. However, if you are looking for a quieter beach, then this isnt that beach, and you should probably try Mullet beach found nearby. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. It's perfect for a lazy beach day. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. The middle area of the beach is usually where teenagers, couples, and families would go. Baie Rouge is what youll expect what a Caribbean beach would look like. Right around the corner was the bar which was basically a guy pouring mixed drinks and coolers with beer, soda and waters. It did shelve quite quickly. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. 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. There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. While the other is a rocky beach that faces the other side and is exposed to the rough side of nature but bears beautiful rock formations. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. 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. The Great Bay Beach is a well-maintained destination complete with white sandy dunes and clear waters, which is why its among our top picks when it comes to the different nice beaches in St Maarten. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. Mullet Bay is ideal for travellers who are looking for a lowkey beach with a relaxing ambiance. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. Juliana Airport (SXM) Hotels near Esperance Airport (SFG) Hotels near Wallblake Airport (AXA) Tours; Add a . Recommended Hotel Nearby: Commodore Suites, Divi Beach, Little Bay RdSint Maarten, NLD 1744. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Hence, the island of St. Maarten is one of the worlds top cruise port destinations. One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. 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. The sunset is also breathtaking, like on most beaches in St Maarten. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. Grand Case Beach. 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. Little Bay is located about a 10 minute drive from the cruise port. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. In Phillipsburg, one of the best things to do is shopping on Front Street or Back Street or hang out in Wathey Square. Where,s a nice beach on st martin calm waters, warm waters, for seven adults sandy beach no frills just drink and relax, swim . The beach is great for swimming but at times can be rough so definitely one has to be cautious with children. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Eat at one of many wonderful restaurants on the beach offering fantastic cuisine and refreshing drinks. Philipsburg is big enough and developed enough to spend most of the day on foot. We left our cruise ship and headed for the water taxis -7 dollars return to the beach and back. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. St. Maarten cruise docks. 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. 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. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Here, you could try the local cuisine and fill your appetite with the delicious food in the numerous restaurants available in the place. We did end up getting some of our kids hair braided by two different people. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Little bay beach is located adjacent to Little Divi Resort. Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes. Water taxis to Maho Beach from the cruise port is easy to find and cost about $20. Baie Rouge or the RedBay beach is a gorgeous beach on the French side named so because of its pink sands. A smaller number of restaurants are on the French side in Marigot and Grand Case. 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. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. Have a sizzling barbeque with family and friends. Theres so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. The John Craane cruise terminal is a large open-air mall where visitors can shop, dine and head for their paid shore excursions. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. The beach restaurants are currently closed due to hurricane Irmas damage, but rebuilding is taking place. 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! If these beaches dont meet your needs, then try any of the 24 remaining beaches you are sure to find what you are looking for. 2. An exclusive shore excursion to Orient Bay costs about $70 per person. How To Get From The Cruise Port To Great Bay Beach, What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Great Bay Beach, How To Get From The Cruise Port To Orient Bay Beach. Is there anything near the cruise port? ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It actually runs parallel to Front Street just one street over, do not miss out on the experience. Its named after a defeated captain who went after Saba and ran aground on the very same beach. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is reachable by ferry or excursion boat from Simpson Bay and Marigot. Taking a bus is a less expensive option. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. There is also a small souvenir flea market nearby, just keep walking straight in pass Back Street, its hard to miss. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? What's the best way to see Great Bay Beach? - Best is subjective as some prefer a cab, while others favour a Jinty After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. If walking isnt appealing, there are quite a few transportation options. A St. Maarten cruise has great appeal simply because the island has one of the best cruise ports in the entire Caribbean. Here you can dine at French, Thai, and Italian restaurants. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. Grab a beach chair and umbrella and enjoy your day in port at this lovely beach. 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. You can access this beach by walking. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Great Bay Beach: Great Bay Beach, Philipsburg: Address, Great Bay Beach Reviews: 4.5/5. 2017 Scott S. Bateman. Indigo Beach Bay offers a variety of activities. Guana Bay Beach is on the route to Philipsburg, making it easy for day tourists to take a detour and have fun at this little beach. Take a chance at the slot machines and bingo games. Where on French side? Orient and Maho are the most popular shore excursion beaches, but Great Bay is free and a short walk away. Around The Caribbean is a resource for persons who want to learn more about the Caribbean islands. But they mainly represent low-end casual in one group and high-end seafood and steak in the other. St. Barth is frequented by the rich and famous. Your email address will not be published. Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in St Maarten, located near Princess Juliana Airport. It features clear, calm crystalline waters with soft white sand and sprawling palm trees. Please note that some of the beaches mentioned were heavily hit by hurricane Irma and are still rebuilding. There are so many things to do around the cruise port that you will never be bored but may be pressed for time. It is located right at the heart of Philipsburg. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. Fondly known as the Friendly Island, St Maarten is unique in that it is the smallest landmass divided between two nations in the world. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. 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) If you're looking for the best time to visit St Maarten, you may find this guide helpful. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. From this lovely beach, you will also see beautiful mountains against the magnificent blue sky over the sea. Are you looking for a unique experience by the beach thats accessible and convenient? There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. You have detailed explanations in my Maho Beach review. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. Until the development of the new cruise terminal, Front Street ranked among one of the best shopping experiences in the Caribbeanalong with Playa Del Carmen, St. Thomas and Old San Juan. So, go there early to get a good spot on the beach. Have in mind last taxis back to cruise port depart around 5.30-6 PM, so if your ship departs late in the evening there's no point spending 7$ pp. It is quite a bit more quiet these days. Rates quoted by the St. Maarten Taxi Association are $10 per person each way for two passengers and $9 per person for three to five passengers. Again, look for signs point the way. Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. On foot. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. 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. 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.
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