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The St. Maarten Cruise Port is situated in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. It is conveniently located just a short distance from Princess Juliana International Airport, making it easily accessible for cruise passengers arriving by air. Anguilla is the most popular of the three and only 10 miles off the St. Maarten coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is reachable by ferry or excursion boat from Simpson Bay and Marigot. Anyone who walks around the Philipsburg waterfront won’t find much else to see other than the beach, boardwalk, shops and restaurants. Very energetic walkers can hike 2.5 miles to the other side of the bay to Little Bay Beach and the small ruins of Fort Amsterdam.
Grand Case Beach
Rent a jet ski and explore the coastline at your own pace, speeding through the waves and feeling the wind in your hair. Jet skiing is a thrilling and exhilarating way to discover the beauty of St. Maarten from a different perspective. Anyone wanting a break from Great Bay Beach can stroll along the Boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants and shops. Outside of Philipsburg, two of the most famous attractions on the island are beaches.
Q: What are some popular attractions within walking distance of the St Maarten cruise port?
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During this 3.5 hour tour, you will be taken via high speed boat to snorkel at Simpson Bay Lagoon before heading to the beach afterwards. Jeep and ATV tours are also pretty popular among older cruise guests (i.e., not those with young children). They are a great way to see more of the island without sitting on a cramped coach.
Water taxis
The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Philipsburg St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, and the taxi fare costs $20 to $30. Confirming the fare with the drive before the journey is always a good idea. Many visitors to Saint Martin rate Grand Case Beach as one of the best in the Caribbean. Here, you can also experience traditional lolos—small local restaurants that line the beach—and enjoy Caribbean specialties at excellent value.
Grand Case is an old fishing village on the French side of the island that is well-known for its authenticity and cuisine. To make the most of your time on the island, I would recommend booking a tour through your cruise line for this. While it might not be much cheaper than purchasing a ticket directly through the operator, it will include transportation from the ship. I would also go as early as you can and pair it with another activity, as the entire tour took around one hour, including less than two minutes of flight time.
A shore excursion to Pinel Island on the northeast coast of Saint Martin is a fantastic way to spend a day in port. Pinel Island is a small, secluded paradise where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the busy port city. The island has pristine beaches where you can swim in crystal-clear waters and enjoy delicious food and drinks.
St. Maarten Food: Experience the Island’s Flavorful Delights
Those wishing to stretch their legs and go on foot need a mere 15 minutes to reach the island’s capital city. Cabs, water taxis and tour buses stand ready to whisk the less adventurous or less mobile away. While cruise lines will offer transportation to Maho Beach, I recommend taking a local taxi. Cruise line transfers are often overpriced and limit your time on the beach. By taking a taxi, you can stay as long as you'd like, so long as you make sure that you return to the ship on time!
St Maarten/St Martin Beaches
Enhancing the visitor experience means being innovative and inventive. Upgrading of existing overnight facilities to cater to the ever-expanding number of staying guests, we are always a port on the move. Here most of the tour and excursion pick up and drop off points are found as well as bus tour stands and the cab stand. Friendly harbour staff are on hand to assist visitors and an information center is located in the main building.
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Posted: Thu, 25 Nov 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore St. Maarten Beaches: Taxis, Tours & More!
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, this island paradise has something for everyone. Hop aboard a catamaran or sailboat and cruise along the coastline, enjoying breathtaking views of the turquoise waters and picturesque beaches. Stop at secluded coves for swimming and snorkeling, and indulge in a delicious Caribbean-style barbecue prepared on board. St. Maarten is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, offering a wide range of watersports and outdoor activities. Whether you prefer to be in the water, soaring through the air, or exploring the island’s natural beauty on land, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For those looking to explore beyond the port area, transportation options are readily available.
All major cruise liners in the world visit the St Maarten Cruise port, like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Disney, MSC, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian, Windstar and many more. Most shops and restaurants on the Dutch side of the island accept US dollars, though the official currency there remains the Netherlands Antilles florin. If a car rental is an overkill for the amount of automotive use you plan for while you visit the island, taxis are a viable alternative. They’re quite popular at the airport, and once you’ve reached your hotel, you don’t have to worry about parking.
Built in Philipsburg’s charming old architectural style, the Village contains duty-free outlets, souvenir shops and market stalls as well as bars and a restaurant. Loterie Farm is a nature sanctuary that features hiking trails, zip lines, a pool, and restaurant. Their mission is to protect 135 acres of land that is set in the interior of the island. While you won't get any ocean views here, you will be able to admire the beautiful countryside. At Topper's Rhum Distillery, you can tour the 6,000 square foot distillery while getting to sample different artisanal flavors.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach, a charter boat might be the best way to find it. This means that if it’s a place people want to go, there’s probably a bus that goes there. There’s also sports betting and tiered memberships for those looking for more perks.
Creating your own perfume or cologne is one of the most unusual things to do on a cruise day in Saint Martin. Located in Grand Case, 30 minutes from the cruise pier, the boutique Tijon is a perfumery that creates custom fragrances. Expert guides help you understand the perfume-making process to create a unique scent. You can either book a combo island excursion that includes the park or take a cab to the park. One of the highlights of shopping in Marigot, the French capital city, is the influence of French design.
It is also an important bird life area, with a breeding colony of brown pelicans on the peninsula’s west side. These are some of the best things to buy while in St. Maarten during your Caribbean cruise. Unfortunately, according to recent reviews, the beach hasn’t fully recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Irma a few years ago.
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