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With them come extensive opportunities for adventure—hiking, biking and zip lining—and amazing wildlife sightings in the sea, on land and in the sky. The Dutch side is called Sint Maarten (St Maarten) and occupies the southern half of the island. A water taxi is a nice minute ride that will bring you to Great Bay Beach or Front Street, where you can spend the day exploring the town. On an Eastern Caribbean cruise, you’ll quickly be charmed by all sides of the island. Of course, this Caribbean island is best known for its beaches, like Maho Beach or Great Bay Beach, one of the area’s best snorkeling spots. Sample local seafood or rum during your time in port, which have become symbols of St. Maarten life.
Marigot
Continue walking to historic Old Street, which is charming area with boutique shops and art galleries, perfect for finding unique gifts and local crafts. Front Street, the main shopping area in Philipsburg, has a wide range of stores and souvenir shops selling jewelry, electronics, fashion, and more. Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side of St. Maarten is a captivating and rugged destination known for its dramatic limestone cliffs and sea caves. It’s a great option for cruisers who prefer a beach that’s off the beaten path or those who have been to St. Maarten cruise port before. St. Maarten is one of the most beautiful cruises port of call in the Caribbean and a favorite among cruise travelers.
Night Carnival Journeys - Exotic Eastern CaribDetails
In their respective capitals—Marigot and Philipsburg—there are ancient stone forts and candy-colored buildings lining winding streets. The Dutch side has a slightly larger population but is a bit smaller, at 34 square kilometers (13 square miles), versus the 53-square-kilometer (20-square-mile) Saint Martin. Many visitors like to see the spectacular airplane landings on Maho Beach, also known informally as “Airport Beach”. You can do so by island tour (make sure this stop is included in the itinerary), by taxi or bus. Minivan Buses to Maho leave from Emmaplein every ten to twenty minutes and take averagely 30 minutes to reach the beach. Emmaplein is a five to ten minutes walk from the cruise pier, at the start of Front Street.
9 Best Things To Do In St. Maarten During A Day In Port - TravelAwaits
9 Best Things To Do In St. Maarten During A Day In Port.
Posted: Tue, 05 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Water taxi / ferry to Captain Hodge Pier / AC Wathey square
Don’t miss out on some of the world’s best scuba and snorkel spots while in St. Maarten. Man of War Shoal Marine Park is the most popular dive site on the island and is home to a variety of sea life, including coral reefs, sea stars, lobster and sharks. For the best snorkeling, head to Cupecoy Beach or Kim Sha Beach for a great snorkeling session to explore the seabed and natural sea life. Unsurprisingly, one of the top things to do in St. Maarten is to hit the beach. These Caribbean beaches are known for their breathtaking views, crystal clear waters, fun water sports and activities that entertain the whole family.
Cruise ships coming in already have a breathtaking view over Philipsburg’s Great Bay Beach. A popular way to spend the day on St Maarten when coming by cruise, is to spend a day at Great Bay Beach. Welcome to one of the most visited cruise ports in the Caribbean and the world!
St. Maarten Cruise Ship Schedule
After Hurricane Irma in 2017, St. Maarten suffered significant damage that it’s still working to recover from. Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. The capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten is the town of Philipsburg, though St. Maarten is an island with two distinct sides. To the north is the French side, whose capital is Marigot, while Philipsburg sits on the southern part of the island.
Great Bay Beach (Dutch Side)
This unique exhibit showcases movie memorabilia from iconic films like Star Wars, Superman, and The Terminator. This fun tourist attraction is a treat for movie enthusiasts and travelers alike. If you’re looking for a unique and tasty experience during your time in St. Maarten, you’ll enjoy a Guava Berry Liquor tasting. This locally-produced liquor is traditionally enjoyed at Christmas by local families.
Explore Philipsburg in St. Maarten or Marigot in St. Martin
It is a beautiful sandy beach with some rocky parts with a lot of stones and pebbles, so make sure you bring water shoes. The beach is nice and quiet, with amenities that consist of a couple of beach bars serving food and drinks, and a possibility to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. This is a long public beach located in the south of the island, in the heart of Philipsburg, backed by a boardwalk full of shops, restaurants, cocktail bars, and places for fun.
This gourmet capital of the Caribbean serves a mix of French, East Indian and island flavors. Cruise to St. Maarten and stop by a roadside barbecue stand (called a lolo) and enjoy lobster grilled on split-metal drums. Be sure to try some guavaberry liqueur, made exclusively on the island.
When exploring on cruises that go to St. Maarten, it’s important to visit both sides to understand their customs and heritage. Sign up for the America’s Cup Regatta, a yacht-racing event that simulates the experience of a true sporting event on the water. Cruisers can book the excursion onboard their cruise ship; no previous racing experience is required.
The latter is set amongst limestone cliffs, possessing both incredible natural beauty and natural wind protection. At the top of the cliffs are shops and beach bars to entertain you when you’re bored of the beach. When you take a St Maarten cruise with Holland America Line Cruises we not only want you relax and enjoy yourself, we want you to have and experience like no other. This Leeward island has been famously bisected into French and Dutch territories since 1648, and is referred to both as Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.
This is the one-of-a-kind place in Philipsburg and a must-see stop if you are a fan of Star Wars and Sci-Fi. The Great Bay beach is sandy, long, and beautiful, boasting crystal clear, warm water. There is an option to rent beach beds and umbrellas from the locals, but if you prefer you can relax in the shade of one of the countless seafront cocktail bars. Whether you like to beach bar hop or to grab a stool at a bar closeby to the cruise port, St. Maarteen is a great place to enjoy a frozen cocktail or local beer.
The beach is one of the best snorkeling spots on Saint Martin and a true paradise for those who seek peace and a scenic natural setting. You can access it by car (go to Friar’s Bay, and from there follow the directions) or by boat. It is a popular beach resort boasting a long stretch of calm, sandy beach with a lot of facilities such as water activities, umbrella and sunbed rentals, restaurants, and beach bars.
There’s just enough to fill the day here, especially if you hop between the French and Dutch beaches. Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten and home to bright-colored houses with duty-free shops and many delicious restaurants to discover. Great Bay Beach runs along the Philipsburg boardwalk, so stopping at one of the beach bars and testing tropical cocktails is a common way to spend a few hours here. If you choose to remain close by the cruise port, there is still plenty to do! Many choose take a stroll to Philipsburg or take an activity close to this main town.
Loterie Farm is a nature sanctuary with 135 acres of hiking trails, a zip line adventure course, and a spring fed multi-level pool with cascading waterfalls.. Both the Dutch (Sint Maarten) and French (Saint Martin) sides are beautiful and offer various sights and activities. If you want to take a glimpse of the whole island, you should definitely join a sightseeing tour that covers both St Maarten and St Martin highlights. St Maarten – the Eastern Caribbean pearl boasting stunning beaches, lush tropical nature, and kind, friendly residents – is an island of diversities! It is a small island divided between two countries – France and the Kingdom of Netherlands. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
