International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is reachable by ferry or excursion boat from Simpson Bay and Marigot. You also get the use of their facilities. This beach is as relaxing as relaxing gets; it even offers spa services to enhance the experience. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. Its a long stretch of several white sandy beaches nestled at the foot of sapphire colored sand cliffs. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. The major cruise ships will dock in Philipsburg located on the Dutch side. Day and night, theres always a lively atmosphere in Kim Sha Beach, St Maarten. 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). 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. Clean restrooms are available to visitors. 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. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. You can take a taxi which charges about $6 per person to the beach. The islands rugged coastline features 37 beaches all around. Directly a few blocks inland from the duty free store, past the courthouse, the yellow and blue RBC bank building with automated teller machine is always open to tourists in need of cash for excursions / tipping. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. Visitors who take a 20-minute hike from Cole Bay Hill will reach Cove Bay, located between Cole Bay and Little Bay. Calm and clear azure waters with an excellent view of the Ocean is what greets you at Grand Case Beach. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Marys Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa. This is a very nice beach, with soft sand, and gorgeous turquoise water. Anyone visiting St. Maarten by cruise ship or to stay at the resorts should consider Orient Bay Beach as another one worth visiting. Great Bay and Orient Bay are the best St Maarten beaches near the cruise port. The short runway forces planes to fly low over the beach. 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The Dawn Beach is a picturesque vacation spot which can be located at the south of St the Maarten border. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun. Located at the northern portions of St Maarten, Tintamarre Island is a secluded paradise unlike anywhere else. It's about a $50-$60 for the round trip but it all depends on how many passengers. Then it climbs to a high point for the rest of the year. The clear crystal waters offer the perfect chance to snorkel, especially on the rockier shores. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. There are street bars, rum shacks serving ice-cold beer, and restaurants serving delicious food. Running parallel to the boardwalk is Front Street, which has most of the shops in the city. The street is a long walk but not too challenging for anyone who is somewhat fit. The locals are also friendly and charming to the tourists, making Divi Beach a warm place to stay at. With all that said remember to carry good water shoes, lots of sunscreen, your bathing suit and enjoy your cruise vacation. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. It takes one about 25 minutes to get to the beach. 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. Very busy day when we went and so lots of sunbeds-a bit crowded together. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holland House Beach Hotel, Also See:Best Beaches: BaliBarbados Beaches, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. Water Shoes might be good for a day on the beach when snorkeling, get yours here. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Moreover, go for snorkeling and explore the underwater world. 2. Again, look for signs point the way. Martin. 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. Some of the ladies started harassing a guy because he said no to a massage for his wife. Before we get started, youre going to need to check all these beach accessories. After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. Just a short walk away you can enjoy some duty-free shopping, great food, and delicious cocktails. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. Water taxis dock at the pier which is right on the beach - not in the very central part, but 3 min walk from it. The swell is never too high thanks to its coral reefs. You can take a tour of the nature reserve nearby as you explore the majestic beauty of the place. 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. Gizmos bar located on the beach has AMAZING . Galion Beach is very popular with families and adrenaline junkies. This makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Marigot Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. If you get bored and want to try a different scene, you can visit Happy Bay beach which is just a short distance away. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel. This is the beach for you. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes. We ended up at the far end with our beach towels on the sand as we were not spending a whole daythat was perfect. On foot. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. Maarten . Show Prices. Do you need to book in advance to visit Great Bay Beach? 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 beach is great for swimming but at times can be rough so definitely one has to be cautious with children. We took a water taxi to this beach. Taking a bus is a less expensive option. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. Anyone who walks around the Philipsburg waterfront wont find much else to see other than the beach, boardwalk, shops and restaurants. There were multiple ships in port so you could probably negotiate a better deal on a less busy day. 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. Is this beach wheelchair friendly? Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! niNice beach, water clean and lovely. Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. St Maarten has one major road and it is not uncommon for there to be huge traffic congestion especially on afternoons. 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. Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. Are you looking for a unique experience by the beach thats accessible and convenient? Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Sint Maarten Beach Hotels; Sint Maarten Green Hotels; Sint Maarten Business Hotels; By Hotel Class. Great beach. Head to St. Martin, the French side of St. Maarten, where you'll find a peaceful environment. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. Great care must be exercised as persons have died in the past due to the effects of the jet blast. At the far end #27 is Dutch Blonds pancakes and escape rooms; just look for the windmill. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region. more. 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. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. Philipsburg Cruise Port in Sint Maarten. Maarten for 20 years, and I'm sharing the best things on the island. You can also take a stroll to the nearby market for the local cuisine. Little Bay, located near Fort Amsterdam and Philipsburg, is a beach dive location with calm waters and rock beach breaks. The water is calm, no waves. And that brings up Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only, The Villas at Simpson Bay Beach Resort and Marina, Atrium Beach Resort and Spa St Maarten a Ramada by Wyndham, Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa, Marys Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa, 35 Best Places to Visit in August in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in July in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in June in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in May in the USA. 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. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. Travel by water taxi is about 5 minutes and via taxi (car) about 8 minutes via Walter A Nisbeth Road. Orient Beach and the town of Marigot are two popular attractions on the French side of the island. Children under 13 are free. 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? Beachfront resort located on Simpson Bay in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. The St. Martin French restaurants in Marigot are smaller and more casual. 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. Say Maho! when the planes fly over your head; its a tradition on the island! They also have many water sports that are available. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful beach of St Maarten. Great Bay Beach is one of the closest beaches to the cruise port terminal in Philipsburg. Oyster Pond is perfect if youre looking for a place that exudes tranquility. There are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking in St Maarten? Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. 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. It takes approximately 5 minutes by water taxi and 8 minutes by car to arrive at this location. An exclusive shore excursion to Orient Bay costs about $70 per person. Its arguably famously known as the bikini beach as it entertains many lively parties and holds huge crowds of party people. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. 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.