The Philipsburg and Simpson Bay restaurants cater to all tastes. It is quite a bit more quiet these days. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 3. #3 Best Value of 7 Philipsburg Cruise Port Hotels. A playground is still delightful for toddlers across from shops beside Holland House Hotel, where cruise passengers can purchase the Beach Special ($25 toilets, beach chair and shower with wifi). 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. A guide, complimentary refreshments and round-trip transportation from the . Taxis. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Travel to Maho beach and watch jumbo jets fly overhead to land at the nearby airport. All Inclusive. While the Dutch side boasts of the closest beaches to the cruise port, the French side has some of the best. Didnt swim, but its safe, I was told. Please note that some of the beaches mentioned were heavily hit by hurricane Irma and are still rebuilding. View of cruise ship and stores. Maarten . This was our second visit. St Maarten/St Martin Beaches Maho Beach - 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. 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. Discover 9 Top Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love + 5 More For Kids! Happy Cruising!! Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking 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. Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only. $$ - $$$ Caribbean Cajun & Creole Pub, Neighborhoods Points of Interest & Landmarks. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. Cupecoy is a half hour west of the port and requires a taxi or rental car to get there. 2 sun beds, umbrella and table for $30. A taxi ride to this beach costs approximately $16 a trip. Hence, the island of St. Maarten is one of the worlds top cruise port destinations. It actually runs parallel to Front Street just one street over, do not miss out on the experience. 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. Rent a jet ski and take a ride on the water. If you are going to be traveling to Maho beach its best to pack up and head back to the port latest 3:30 pm if your ships leaving at 5 pm. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. It consists of a small stretch of white sandy beach located next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. 10 Best Attractions near the Cruise Port in St. Maarten/St. Martin Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its location near the runway of the Princess Juliana Airport. Great Bay beach is a lovely beach to sit and relax while soaking up the sun or enjoying the view of the ocean. Baie Rouge or the RedBay beach is a gorgeous beach on the French side named so because of its pink sands. Want to have that french au naturel ambiance? Taxis, which also are usually SUVs, have a T at the beginning of the license plate. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. However, if you are looking for a quieter beach, then this isnt that beach, and you should probably try Mullet beach found nearby. 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. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. When the clock hits at the time of sunset, thats where the flashing lights, livid atmosphere, and the nightlife starts. Anyone visiting St. Maarten by cruise ship or to stay at the resorts should consider Orient Bay Beach as another one worth visiting. Little Bay, located near Fort Amsterdam and Philipsburg, is a beach dive location with calm waters and rock beach breaks. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Numerous restaurants line the boardwalk; many more restaurants plus plenty of shopping lie only one block over on Philipsburgs popular Front Street. The powdery soft sand and coconut trees backdrop give it a magical atmosphere. From this lovely beach, you will also see beautiful mountains against the magnificent blue sky over the sea. A smaller number of restaurants are on the French side in Marigot and Grand Case. Children under 13 are free. The island only has one major road. Kim Sha is a popular starting point for dive and excursion boats. All Rights Reserved. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. The coral reefs offer snorkelers a peek into St. Maarten water inhabitants. Its a beautiful beach with a great variety of fish in its ecosystem, and we suggest trying out the snorkeling activities for fun! Once youre there you will be approached by vendors selling chairs and umbrella packages on the beach that include beer and Wi-Fi. You get 2 Beach Loungers and 1 umbrella and 6 beers all for approximately $25-$30 depending on which restaurant or bar you go to. 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 If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Here are 10 attractions near the cruise port to make planning easier for passengers. Its also a very active beach offering waters sports such as snorkeling, boat rides, volleyball, and all other common water sports. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Time to ged inspired by these 13 stunning St. Maarten beaches you can experience during a cruise vacation in the eastern Caribbean. Make sure to take some home with you. Martin. Its located near Maho beach, and though you can see the airplanes flying above, they are usually far away and therefore less noisy. Great Bay Beach is a fun beach and everything you will need will be there------the beach---water sports---bars--restaurants----long & wide and close to the docks and along one of the best shopping streets in the Caribbean. Do you need to book in advance to visit Great Bay Beach? But once found, its truly worthwhile. 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. The island has virtually no stop signs or stop lights. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. This is the place to chill out, hang out with your friends while sipping a Pina Colada by the sand bar. Right around the corner was the bar which was basically a guy pouring mixed drinks and coolers with beer, soda and waters. What restaurants are near Great Bay Beach? Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. 2022. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Where Is The Cruise Port In St Maarten - CruiseInfoClub.com Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Whether you prefer to be laid back or power shop, St, Maarten is the island for you and your family to enjoy it all. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. Taxi rates are set according to more than 20 zones around the island. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? St. Martin/St. 2022 Scott S. Bateman. For tourists who have a heart for adventure, this ones for you. Marigot Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. 30 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise However, this laid-back Caribbean destination is also host to some amazing shopping, where you can unearth authentic souvenirs and gifts. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. It is located on the French side and is about a 20-minute ride from the port. If you have a cruise vacation coming up in the Eastern Caribbean it might be worth finding out more about these stunning St.Martin/St. Luckily, given the islands size, you can visit any beach within the few hours allowed in port. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Drop off at the resort and walk in between the buildings to get to the beach behind it. 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. This area is family-friendly. Outside of Philipsburg, two of the most famous attractions on the island are beaches. Shops and food along the boardwalk. Its located on the northeastern coast of the French side. Take a swim in the clear blue sea. Clear waters, beautiful beach, and powdery sandy shoreswhat more could you ask for in Divi Beach? Orient Bay is a fairly quick drive by taxi, rental car or excursion bus from Philipsburg. Where they want to go often includes Philipsburg itself. I think you can also walk around to the beach instead of the water taxi. Then travelled back on water taxi (very good ride!) These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. In Phillipsburg, one of the best things to do is shopping on Front Street or Back Street or hang out in Wathey Square. Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. They guarantee a low waiting time of 10 minutes or less. Here are some of the best activities in St. Maarten. One of the more interesting beaches on St. Maarten is Cupecoy because of its white sand, sandstone cliffs and small caves along the shore. 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. 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. You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. 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. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. The beach is about 1/3 mile long. Its arguably famously known as the bikini beach as it entertains many lively parties and holds huge crowds of party people. I know you will love visiting this Caribbean island as much as I do. Having your towels on your beach loungers will reserve them for the day. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. 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. Report inappropriate content sxmlover Cupecoy Bay, St. Level Contributor 13,129 posts 18 reviews 50 helpful votes 9. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. 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. Water taxis dock at the pier which is right on the beach - not in the very central part, but 3 min walk from it. Great Bay Beach is also a family beach which is kid-friendly so that the whole family can enjoy. We ended up at the far end with our beach towels on the sand as we were not spending a whole daythat was perfect. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. Temperatures stay in the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter and reach the high 80s in the summer. This beach is very popular with the locals during the weekends, but its also very tranquil and uncrowded during the weekdays. There are so many things to do around the cruise port that you will never be bored but may be pressed for time. The water is calm, no waves. Recommended Hotel Nearby: El Zafiro Boutique Hotel. On foot. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. You can also enjoy the day at Great Bay Beach, Divi Little Bay Beach. Expect to pay anywhere between $7 and $35 to get to a zone. Best Family Beaches in St. Maarten for an Outstanding Time Calm and clear azure waters with an excellent view of the Ocean is what greets you at Grand Case Beach. The islands rugged coastline features 37 beaches all around. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. 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. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. A weather forecasting app may help to ensure that your visit to the beach will be exquisite. 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. 1. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. Orient Beach, which lies north of Philipsburg in the French district, is the most popular and well-known beach on the island. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. Find a Cruise. 13 Stunning St. Maarten Beaches You Should Experience - Cruise Hive We recommend booking Great Bay Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Pay a visit to the Maho Bay Beach which is situated right behind the Princess Juliana International Airport.
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