Youll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. The casino hours are 10am to 4am daily. This lovely, well-sheltered beach offers crystal-clear calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. This hidden gem is seldom crowded because its tricky to find. Great Bay Beach is also a family beach which is kid-friendly so that the whole family can enjoy. The beach itself has suffered significant erosion due to the jet blast. Theres so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. 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. Kayaking is also available on this island where you get to paddle across the entirety of the waters, a must-try activity for all ages. One of the more interesting beaches on St. Maarten is Cupecoy because of its white sand, sandstone cliffs and small caves along the shore. Great care must be exercised as persons have died in the past due to the effects of the jet blast. 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(Which Is Better For A Vacation), St Thomas vs St Maarten ( Which Island Is Better To Visit), Your email address will not be published. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful beach of St Maarten. Sint Maarten as called by the Dutch and St. Martin by the French, is a 37 sq mile island that features all the charm of the Caribbean. Mullet Bay Mullet Bay Beach Sint Maarten, NLD 1744 Mullet Bay is ideal for travellers who are looking for a lowkey beach with a relaxing ambiance. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. The Philipsburg St. Maarten cruise port has three major attractions: the massive John Craane cruise terminal, the nearby city and Great Bay Beach right beside it. What's the best way to see Great Bay Beach? There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'stmaartenadventure_com-box-3','ezslot_2',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-box-3-0');When youre on a Caribbean cruise, most likely you will end up stopping in Sint Maarten, the cruise capital of the Caribbean. Then travelled back on water taxi (very good ride!) It is a definite try if youre on a trip to the Caribbean. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. Baie Rouge or the RedBay beach is a gorgeous beach on the French side named so because of its pink sands. Known to be near the Great Bay, you could make a side trip here to experience this beachs greatness. Great views of the cruise ships and the marina at one end and at the other end are great views of the mountains. Located at the northwestern coast of St Maarten, it is a great surfing stop for beginners due to its gentle waves. 285 reviews. This beach is also an excellent spot for snorkeling through the astounding coral reefs and bodies of water. Very convenient. The clear crystal waters offer the perfect chance to snorkel, especially on the rockier shores. 1. Here are some of the best activities in St. Maarten. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in St Maarten, located near Princess Juliana Airport. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. Other St. Maarten attractions include the Mont Vernon Plantation and the Butterfly Farm. When you get hungry, visit the popular Chez Raymond for grilled foods and drinks. The beach is 18 minutes or five miles from the Havensight cruise docks. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. Dont be surprised to see a beach goer who wears nothing at all. As such there is little vegetation. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Due to traffic congestion on afternoons, remember to give yourself sufficient time to return to the ship. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. 1. 1 mile away from Friars Bay Beach is a walking trail that takes you right into the heart of the open beach and the black rock formation. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. Just a short walk away you can enjoy some duty-free shopping, great food, and delicious cocktails. The water taxi takes you to a dock right at the public beach. Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Should I Visit? Competent swimmers should try this beach and swim out to the arch and enjoy the other hidden beach found at the base of the cliff. coveneiet water taxi. Little Bay Beach. They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We rented chairs with wonderful service from Jimmy from the love boat restaurant and beach service , chair rental and service right on the beach with food and reasonably priced drinks were exceptional.. could not have asked for a more pleasant day til, Convenient swimming with shopping and restaurants. It requires steering with your bodymovements, if you have 2 people riding you must lean in unison. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. Whether youre looking for a nice day out on the beach, or a day filled with fun things to do, this place is definitely enjoyable. Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. Guana Bay Beach, located on the southeast coast of the island, offers great views of St. Barthelemy and is used for wind and kite surfing. Tourists should visit Rainforest Adventures, Seaside Nature Park, and Tintamarre island. The beach is great for swimming but at times can be rough so definitely one has to be cautious with children. The calm waters on this beach justify its spot as the best beach for swimming in St Maarten. However, the good news is that the beaches are there and your favorite restaurants and resorts are hard at work rebuilding. The nearby amenities and close proximity to the ship make it a very popular choice for cruise guests. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. A 15-minute taxi ride will get you to this beach. There are few chain restaurants. We suggest checking in to the lovely villas by the cliff, and youll surely enjoy your time with a majestic view of the blue waters. Very pretty mountains around the bay and it's great to watch the ships come and go. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Little Bay Beach is known for its long stretch of white sand, calm waters, and excellent snorkeling activities. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Front Street is famous for its duty-free shopping. St. Martin/St. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. They also have showers and restrooms that are all nearby and available for everyone to use. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. Indigo Bay Beach is famous because of its quality attributes, making it popular with tourists. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. A St. Maarten cruise has great appeal simply because the island has one of the best cruise ports in the entire Caribbean. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. They called him cheap and and wouldnt leave him alone. All Inclusive Hotels in Sint Maarten; Near Airports. Maho Beach is also known as the airplane beach and is the most famous and favorite spot for locals and tourists. You only need to get to the port early. Always give yourself ample time for traffic, and theres always traffic in St.Maarten. Your email address will not be published. From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. Time to ged inspired by these 13 stunning St. Maarten beaches you can experience during a cruise vacation in the eastern Caribbean. It's a nice swimming beach with gentle surf, but there are also jet ski rentals and a pier you can sit on to enjoy the view of cruise ships and sailboats. 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. We recommend booking Great Bay Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The sunset seen from Cupecoy is majestic, with views of Saba in the distance. The ride is only 10 minutes long. They can rent umbrellas and chairs for a reasonable price and a lovely view of the bay. Get a lounge chair and umbrella going for about $7, kick back and relax. Riselle Celestina for Insider. Enjoy an exciting experience with this unique water ride. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. An invisible boundary divides the 37 km island into two countries. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. 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. Pinel has two breathtaking beaches. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau Oyster Pond is perfect if youre looking for a place that exudes tranquility. If you are going to be traveling to Maho beach its best to pack up and head back to the port latest 3:30 pm if your ships leaving at 5 pm. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. They guarantee a low waiting time of 10 minutes or less. You also get the use of their facilities. It is often moderate from January through July. A 20minutes taxi ride from the cruise pier will get you to the beach. A weather forecasting app may help to ensure that your visit to the beach will be exquisite. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. For tourists who have a heart for adventure, this ones for you. The Dawn Beach is a picturesque vacation spot which can be located at the south of St the Maarten border. Located on the northeast coast of St Maarten is The Orient Bay Beach, the perfect vacation spot. 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. This place is also less crowded and suitable for families looking for a spot for bonding and activities. I trust that you have found this information useful if your plans are to visit a beach while on a cruise to St Maarten. Driving around parts of the Dutch side, especially around Simpson Bay, adds some risk of traffic jams and late returns to the ship. Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. Arrived on cruise ship having read the reviews and took the $7 water taxi as advised. Bicycles / scooters. If you prefer to walk its about 20 minutes. 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 This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Friars Bay beach is a hidden gem amongst the best beach spots in St Maarten. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. Is there anything near the cruise port? Rent a jet ski and take a ride on the water. However, if you are looking for a quieter beach, then this isnt that beach, and you should probably try Mullet beach found nearby. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. Burgeaux Beach, located in the southwest heart of St Maarten, is the spot for surfers. Asked for Miguel after reading recomendations but he wasn't around so headed off to quiet end with wider beach and Sweet Andy looked after us. Some jet skis nearby filling up with fuel every 10 minutes which smelt terriblenot very safety conscious either as they were floating about in the water while filling up. Galion Beach is very popular with families and adrenaline junkies. It gives a semiprivate vibe but is not totally secluded, still giving you a public place to stroll and bask in the sun. This beach offers a lively atmosphere that is perfect for beachgoers. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. Though it's not nearly as . It is very close to the cruise terminal and you can get there either by water taxi for $7 with a return ticket or pay $5 for a one way. It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of the island and is the last beach on the way to the French side. Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. Otherwise, walk the boardwalk, and pick a spot on the beach and relax for the day, swim, drink, or tan. Drop off at the resort and walk in between the buildings to get to the beach behind it. The Guava berry Emporium is the spot to taste and sample this locally made liquor. St. Maarten. The Sunset Beach Bar is a popular destination amongst St.Maarten tourists and locals, other places in Maho are Driftwood Boat bar right on the beach great spot to catch the planes and a new bar called Sand bar. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its a beautiful beach with a great variety of fish in its ecosystem, and we suggest trying out the snorkeling activities for fun! Logo Store; Find Your Roll Call; Meet & Mingle; Guidelines; Community Help Center; . The walk is about 10 minutes, goes three fourths of a mile and is not difficult on a warm day. Boasting a fantastic marine life and youd get a glimpse of it if you opt to try snorkeling. Probably the most crowded beach during the cruise season is Maho Beach watching the planes land and take off, never gets old. All Rights Reserved. Report inappropriate content sxmlover Cupecoy Bay, St. Level Contributor 13,129 posts 18 reviews 50 helpful votes 9. The terminal has useful signs that point people to where they want to go. Didnt swim, but its safe, I was told. Taking a bus is a less expensive option. Excited about sunrise and sunsets? Vacationers will find this place different from other St Maarten beaches because it is divided into smaller shores with surrounding limestone cliffs. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. Alternatively, you can take a 20 minute stroll to Great Bay Beach. As a former crew member for Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line I can continue my passion by sharing my experiences with readers. Location You can find them at Airport Rd, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten Star Lite Car Rentals Star Lite Car Rentals are a local rental service provider in Cruise Port of St, Maarten. Deals. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. A taxi ride to this beach costs approximately $16 a trip. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. As a result, it often draws large crowds. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun.