If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The chairs and umbrellas are $5 each. Beaches In St Maarten Near Cruise Port (The Ultimate Guide), Living In The Caribbean (Pros & Cons Fully Explained). Visit Orient Bay village, within walking distance of the beach. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Located about 20 minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal, this white sand beach is surrounded by lush green landscape. 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. THE 5 BEST Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg of 2023 (with Prices Then one thing to include in your list of things to do is to visit one of the islands finest beaches. 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. Burgeaux Beach, just beyond Simpson Bay, offers a cove and is a favorite of shell collectors and surfers. It gives a semiprivate vibe but is not totally secluded, still giving you a public place to stroll and bask in the sun. The idyllic island of St. Maarten is well known for its stunning white-sand beaches, impossibly aquamarine waters, and incredible culinary scene. We were family of 5 with late teens, beautiful day off a cruise ship. Took a water taxi from cruise port area $7 per person round trip. 13 Stunning St. Maarten Beaches You Should Experience - Cruise Hive Clean restrooms are available to visitors. Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten - Tripadvisor This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. Browse the shops for souvenirs and gorgeous beach wear. 17 Best Beaches in St Maarten (2023) Top Beach Spots! So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. Fine sandy beach alongside a boardwalk. It takes just a 20-minute stroll to get there, and the beach area and boardwalk. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. 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. St. Thomas/St. John Beach Guide - Cruise Critic They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. They can walk a hundred more feet to reach many more restaurants and the ports extensive shopping district, most of which falls along the lengthy Front Street. The overhead plane landing makes it one of the most popular beaches in St Maarten. Though it's not nearly as . If tanning or water sports are not your thing, then you can take a walk around and enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and shops located in the area. It takes one about 25 minutes to get to the beach. Otherwise, look for signs at the mall pointing toward the $5 water taxi. 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. While your ship is in St Maarten's port, swim and lounge at Orient Beach and Maho Beach on this half-day shore excursion. Best Family Beaches in St. Maarten for an Outstanding Time The beach also features great restaurants like the Rainbow caf, popular for freshly caught fish dishes and cocktails. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. Find a Cruise. Budget-minded walkers will go less than one mile or about 10 to 12 minutes to reach the beginning of the beach. Holland House Beach Hotel. They dont tell you how much the braids cost till the end and this lady wanted $65 for some braids she put in my sons hair but my daughters cost $25. It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. 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. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! 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. Some include Orient Bay, Red bay and Anse Marcel. Logo Store; Find Your Roll Call; Meet & Mingle; Guidelines; Community Help Center; . Now, its a silent part of the busy beach leading to the cruise ship terminal, where tour operators await with open-air trucks to carry passengers to activities (USD cash accepted). Whether you prefer to be laid back or power shop, St, Maarten is the island for you and your family to enjoy it all. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. . Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. On foot. Orient Bay, which is located on the French side of the island, is arguably the islands most famous and popular beach. Simpson Bay Beach is a long half-moon of white sand located by a fishing village. 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. Saba is known for hiking and other ecotourism activities. Where they want to go often includes Philipsburg itself. With so many things to do and see in St. Maarten, you may need to come back and spend a weeks holiday to really enjoy the rest of the island. Hotels near Princ. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. Rates are $8-10 per person one way. Frequented by tourists from far and wide, this beach is an amazing destination for all ages. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Here, you could try the local cuisine and fill your appetite with the delicious food in the numerous restaurants available in the place. Martin. Required fields are marked *. All Inclusive. Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. There you have it, 13 of the best beaches in Saint Martin. The sunset is also breathtaking, like on most beaches in St Maarten. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Great Bay Beach is also a family beach which is kid-friendly so that the whole family can enjoy. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. The sea was crystal clear light blue and the sand v clean and there was a lovely breeze. Water sports are also an option for the group who looks for day thrills. So, go there early to get a good spot on the beach. This makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 1.5 mi away from the city center.It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. Magens Bay has an entry fee of $5 for adults and children 13 and older. This beachs convenience makes it a hot spot for many tourists who are looking to relax and have some fun. Unfortunately, you may only get a glimpse of this gem of an island, I always recommend a proper vacation for a week or two. Jet ski, paraglide or sail at Orient Beach, then grab a snack at one of the many bars and restaurants there. Great for: Beach time, diving, snorkeling, water sports. Where on French side? As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. Walk along the beach on the boardwalk to find shops, food and drink or grab a chair and umbrella (usually for a fee) and take a dip in the bay. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Grand Case Beach Club, Also See:Top Beaches in The CaribbeanBeaches in Aruba, Orient Bay BeachSint Maarten, NLD 1744+31 6 83359253. 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. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. The high rocks block most of the wind, so its a good choice when the Caribbean trade winds are strong that day. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. All Rights Reserved. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. Explore different ways to experience this place. What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Curacao, What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Bonaire, Living In Aruba (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Eustatius ( Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Maarten (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In Saba Island (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), St Maarten Vs St Martin (Which Is Better For A Vacation), St Thomas vs St Maarten ( Which Island Is Better To Visit), Your email address will not be published. We recommend booking Great Bay Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. What is there to do near the cruise port? Best way to get to French Royal Palm Beach Resort. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. Best Caribbean Cruise Destinations and Ports of Call - Thrillist These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It is located on the French side and is about a 20-minute ride from the port. Located on the French side, the beach is only 30 minutes away. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. An invisible boundary divides the 37 km island into two countries. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. Theres so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. Want to have that french au naturel ambiance? Get forecasts each morning for every major island. The beach is about 1/3 mile long. The fact that its semi-secluded makes it a good spot for relaxation. Rainfall is a different matter. While it is useful to consider a rental car, bus or taxi, it is wise to avoid renting a bicycle or scooter. Here you can dine at French, Thai, and Italian restaurants. It actually runs parallel to Front Street just one street over, do not miss out on the experience.