Things to do in St Maarten Cruise Port Philipsburg

Table Of Content

• Carnival Cruises to St. Maarten
• Night Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway 7d Ph1...Details
• Final Thoughts on St. Maarten Cruise Port and Best Things to Do
• Water taxi / ferry to Captain Hodge Pier / AC Wathey square
• Philipsburg Shore Excursions
• Great Bay Beach (Dutch Side)
• Night Caribbean CruiseDetails

This is the cosmopolitan hub of the city full of shops, bars, restaurants, and events is always packed with people. The boardwalk lines the beachfront and offers unique views of the cruise ships and the whole Great Bay. If you plan to have some beach time, make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat as there is not much natural shade. At Great Bay Beach, you’ll have a beautiful view of the cruise ships docked nearby. You’ll also be within walking distance of local restaurants, bars and shops along Front Street and the downtown core.

Carnival Cruises to St. Maarten

Otherwise, the French side accepts the euro while the Dutch side takes the Netherlands Antillean guilder. It’s good to have some cash with you, because not all ATMs accept foreign credit cards. When it comes to tipping, round up to the nearest bill for your taxi driver, and leave a few euros or dollars behind for excellent service in a restaurant.

Night Beach Fun & Sun: A Remote Caribbean Getaway 7d Ph1...Details

Simpson Bay Beach is well known for it’s beautiful white sand beach and clear turquoise waters. Mullet Bay beach in St. Maarten is well loved by locals, tourists and cruise passengers who prefer a tranquil and laid-back beach experience. Shopping in St. Maarten includes a lot of handmade jewelry, small shopping stands, and local vendors hawking their wares to tourists.

Final Thoughts on St. Maarten Cruise Port and Best Things to Do

You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds from local people, prices are reasonable. It’s about a half-hour walk to get from the Philipsburg pier to the center of town. Maho Beach on Saint Maarten offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Various water sports, like windsurfing and snorkeling, are available as well.

Water taxi / ferry to Captain Hodge Pier / AC Wathey square

•  Take a walk along the Philipsburg boardwalk that starts here, also home to the two other water taxi / ferry disembarkation points, or a famed St. Rose Beach Bar Mojito. I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins. On your way to Philipsburg city center, visit this amazing store where you can taste and purchase delicious cheese and other food and drinks.

This incredible sanctuary combines nature, adventure, and relaxation. St. Maarten has a tropical climate, and experiences sunny and warm temperatures throughout the year. It can get hot and humid in St. Maarten, which makes the island perfect for beach lovers. A meal at The Greenhouse offers the standard classics like chicken fingers, burgers and fries, steaks, and sandwiches. On Monday and Thursday nights, all-you-can-eat ribs are the best seller here.

Great Bay Beach (Dutch Side)

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Loterie Farm is a nature sanctuary in the middle of the island where visitors can unwind at its well-maintained 135 acres. The nature sanctuary offers a lounge, pools, bar, eatery, hiking trails and zip lines. Beaches on St. Martin are worthy sites to explore, too, like Grand Case Beach with its private beach club called the Grand Case Beach Club and Cupecoy Bay Beach.

Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary

In the 17th century, both the Dutch and the French colonized St. Maarten. The Dutch later built Fort Amsterdam as a military outpost in Philipsburg for protection from intruders. Over time, the Dutch and French found ways to maintain their island colonies, respecting each other’s cultures and heritage. St. Maarten has steadily grown in popularity as a tourism destination in recent years.

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The bird sanctuary houses a diverse array of colorful and exotic bird species from around the world. The remnants of the fort offer a glimpse into St. Martin’s past as a strategic stronghold. Other major sights which are often included in the island tour are Fort Amsterdam, Baie Rouge, and Sunset Beach. Even though the area is ruled by both the Dutch and the French, U.S. dollars are commonly accepted and often preferred on cruises to St. Maarten to lessen any confusion.

This zipline excursion is for those that are looking for an adventurous activity in St. Maarten. If you want to save money on a cruise, you can take the public bus, which is the least expensive option. The local currency in St. Martin, on the French side of the island is the Euro (€). This unique Caribbean island is home to two distinct cultures and countries, often referred to as the Dutch and French sides. Children ages 2 to 17 can also join the tour but cannot sample the liquor. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #stmaarten — you may see them right here.

The calmness of Grand Case Beach is a welcome break from the busier party beaches of St. Maarten like Maho Beach or Orient Beach on the French side of the island. North of Marigot is the formidable Fort Louis, which is the oldest monument on the island. It was built to protect Marigot from invaders and spot passing enemy ships. Today, a trip up Fort Louis promises the best view of the entire island.

Orient Bay and Le Galion Beach are two of the top spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing on St. Maarten. Book a course with a local instructor or rent gear at popular surf spots like Saint Martin Surf Club. Take your adventure to the next level with a diving experience to see Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Highlights here include shopping at the Marigot Market, its bustling marina, and plenty of stylish cafes and restaurants. Pop into the boutiques, chat with the locals, and enjoy the beauty of the Marina Royale as you explore. On the French side, there are cafés serving café au lait and pain au chocolat and sidewalk bistros offering chilled rosé and savory crepes. A variety of luxury shops and cosmopolitan boutiques beckon to sophisticated shoppers who love a good bargain—the entire island has no sales tax.

•  Go shopping along Front Street, take a coffee at Coffee Lounge with locally roasted beans, have a shot of Holland at Amasterdam. •  Learn about the true history of pirates in a multimedia presentation at the Rusty Parrot. If you plan to shop, this is a great place as the prices are low and very affordable (St Maarten is a duty-free island). Most commonly, cruises from St. Maarten go to exciting destinations such as Transatlantic, Caribbean - All, Caribbean - Southern, World Cruise, and France. Unfortunately, according to recent reviews, the beach hasn’t fully recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Irma a few years ago. If you’ve been to St. Maarten before, consider taking a ferry ride or boat trip from St. Maarten to Anguilla.

Orient Bay Beach, located on the French side of St. Martin (St. Maarten), is one of the most famous and picturesque beaches in the Caribbean. In addition to it’s natural beauty, you’ll also find a vibrant beach club style atmosphere with restaurants, bars and water-sports all available. It is also possible to rent a car in St. Maarten if you’re comfortable driving.

During the tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to sample different varieties of the liquor, with several fruit flavors. The best ways to get around St. Maarten as a cruise traveler are by foot, taxi or water taxi. Arguably the most popular beach that travelers on cruises to St. Maarten visit is Maho Beach, which is known for having the area’s longest stretch of hotels and resorts. Snorkeling, swimming, and jet skiing are the reigning favorite things to do on Maho Beach. On the French side, you’ll find Marigot, boasting vibrantly painted houses and beaches, markets, and restaurants to satisfy your cravings. Marigot has local Caribbean vibes and atmosphere while simultaneously having a more elegant side with fine dining restaurants and fashion.