Maho Beach is famous because it is located so close to the airport that landing planes will swoop so close over the heads of beachgoers that some of them get knocked off their feet. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. There are many places to shop around and search for deals. Grab a beach chair and umbrella and enjoy your day in port at this lovely beach. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. They called him cheap and and wouldnt leave him alone. All Inclusive. 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 All Inclusive Hotels in Sint Maarten; Near Airports. The Guava berry Emporium is the spot to taste and sample this locally made liquor. Due to traffic congestion on afternoons, remember to give yourself sufficient time to return to the ship. A five-hour shore excursion with transportation to Orient Bay and Maho Beach will start at $40 per person. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. Just a short walk away you can enjoy some duty-free shopping, great food, and delicious cocktails. Its like a 3 min ride. Rates include all on-property. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Before we get started, youre going to need to check all these beach accessories. . It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. Also Read:15 Best Cozumel Beaches You Should Experience. Log in. Cruise passengers get from the docks to Philipsburg via walking, taxi or an inexpensive water taxi. Another beach that is well loved by both locals and visitors to the island is Mullet Bay Beach. What restaurants are near Great Bay Beach? Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. The nearby amenities and close proximity to the ship make it a very popular choice for cruise guests. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. Located at the northwestern coast of St Maarten, it is a great surfing stop for beginners due to its gentle waves. It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. This place is also less crowded and suitable for families looking for a spot for bonding and activities. Located on the French side, the beach is only 30 minutes away. You can access this beach by walking. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. We took a water taxi to this beach. Arrived on cruise ship having read the reviews and took the $7 water taxi as advised. Great Bay and Orient Bay are the best St Maarten beaches near the cruise port. 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 consists of a small stretch of white sandy beach located next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. It was easy to relax and get the drinks. They have Jet-Skis rentals and water sports equipment rentals. Browse the shops for souvenirs and gorgeous beach wear. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. Whether you prefer to be laid back or power shop, St, Maarten is the island for you and your family to enjoy it all. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Villas at Simpson Bay Beach Resort and Marina, Little Bay Beach, Octavius L. Richardson Rd, PhilipsburgSint Maarten, NLD 1744. 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. Maarten . Peaceful and serene. We did end up getting some of our kids hair braided by two different people. 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Located on the northeast coast of St Maarten is The Orient Bay Beach, the perfect vacation spot. Gizmos bar located on the beach has AMAZING . Little Bay Beach is just right next to Great Bay Beach only separated by the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. It is reasonably private and not crowded, giving you ample time for relaxation and sunbathing. The sea was crystal clear light blue and the sand v clean and there was a lovely breeze. Surfing is also one of the best things to do in St Maarten; Mullet bay has northern winds, making it an excellent spot for surfers. Its not easy elsewhere to find washrooms for public use, except at restaurants by the beach. They should eat and drink at Emilio's, Come y Calla, Freedom Fighters Ital Shack, and Sunset Caf. 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. There is a large Westin resort located on this beach. Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. Other St. Maarten attractions include the Mont Vernon Plantation and the Butterfly Farm. Day and night, theres always a lively atmosphere in Kim Sha Beach, St Maarten. Public bus. With palm trees leaning in, Do some hammock napping with your family. The beach also features great restaurants like the Rainbow caf, popular for freshly caught fish dishes and cocktails. It is a must-see stop for any southern or eastern Caribbean cruise and why 2 million cruise visitors come to the port every year. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Re: Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten 5 years ago Save Hi Maria, The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. 17 Best Beaches in St. Maarten Top Public Beach Spots! All sun protection wear can be found on Amazon by clicking here. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Playa Orient Bay. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Having your towels on your beach loungers will reserve them for the day. This beach is very popular with the locals during the weekends, but its also very tranquil and uncrowded during the weekdays. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Swim shoes may come in handy when walking by the shore, and there may be small rocks you may encounter when walking in the waters. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. With all that said remember to carry good water shoes, lots of sunscreen, your bathing suit and enjoy your cruise vacation. The casino hours are 10am to 4am daily. 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. The sunset in Cupecoy Beach is astounding, and we suggest you spend it at the bar while waiting for the vibrant ambiance at night. The extended stretch of fine white sand is great, and the swaying palm trees offer respite from the harsh sun. Magens Bay has an entry fee of $5 for adults and children 13 and older. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in St Maarten, located near Princess Juliana Airport. Unfortunately, you may only get a glimpse of this gem of an island, I always recommend a proper vacation for a week or two. It is a definite try if youre on a trip to the Caribbean. St. Maarten. You have detailed explanations in my Maho Beach review. Vans are also available, and prices vary depending on the number of people on board. Maarten; Cruise Critic Community. A 10-15 percent tip for bus and taxi drivers is common. Get sandblasted by the jets as the plane fly by. Riselle Celestina for Insider. 2022. Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of the island and is the last beach on the way to the French side. The swell is never too high thanks to its coral reefs. You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. The islands rugged coastline features 37 beaches all around. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Hotels near Princ. There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. A smaller number of restaurants are on the French side in Marigot and Grand Case. One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. These cliffs are eroded to create perfect small coves that create small secluded romantic beaches on their own. The beach is seven miles west of the cruise port by Simpson Bay, which has a cluster of hotels, resorts and restaurants. Where you can relax and just enjoy the beauty. The crystal-clear waters beckon to beach bummers, and once you are in you might not get out till its time to head back. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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 In Phillipsburg, one of the best things to do is shopping on Front Street or Back Street or hang out in Wathey Square. Rates are $8-10 per person one way. St. Martin/St. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. If you get bored and want to try a different scene, you can visit Happy Bay beach which is just a short distance away. Some include Orient Bay, Red bay and Anse Marcel. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. 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. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. Forums. Maho Beach is usually a favorite of visitors to the island and it is a tiny beach. Theres so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. Indigo Beach Bay offers a variety of activities. What part of the beach is the best to spend few hrs, coming via cruise plan to walk or take taxi. Driving around parts of the Dutch side, especially around Simpson Bay, adds some risk of traffic jams and late returns to the ship. Here are the best things to do while in Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port! An island tour that includes quick stops at Orient Beach, Maho Bay, Marigot, Mullet Bay Beach and other attractions will cost about $50 per person. From water sports, swimming, sunbathingyoull never run out of things to do. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport. I think you can also walk around to the beach instead of the water taxi. There you have it, 13 of the best beaches in Saint Martin. A St. Maarten cruise has great appeal simply because the island has one of the best cruise ports in the entire Caribbean. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its location near the runway of the Princess Juliana Airport. Beforehand, youll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Children under 13 are free. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. This hidden gem is seldom crowded because its tricky to find. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Boasting a fantastic marine life and youd get a glimpse of it if you opt to try snorkeling. before joining cruise ship. The high rocks block most of the wind, so its a good choice when the Caribbean trade winds are strong that day. This beach is about 30 minutes from the cruise port via taxi along Airport road. The water taxi takes you to a dock right at the public beach. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. INDULGENCE BY THE SEA Photo courtesy of Indulgence by the Sea LITTLE BAY BEACH ST. MAARTEN TREASURE SEEKER Photo courtesy of Treasure Seeker WATHEY SQUARE Photo courtesy of Vacation St. Maarten WATER UFO ST. MAARTEN Photo courtesy of Water UFO SUNSET BAR AND GRILL #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. 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. Again, look for signs point the way. 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. Some of the ladies started harassing a guy because he said no to a massage for his wife. What's the best way to see Great Bay Beach? When you get hungry, visit the popular Chez Raymond for grilled foods and drinks. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. But once found, its truly worthwhile. Then one thing to include in your list of things to do is to visit one of the islands finest beaches. 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. You can even take a short taxi ride into Maho to watch the planes take-off and land. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. 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.