We visited St Maarten as a stop on our Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise and quickly discovered why it is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. Between famous planes landing at Maho Beach, beautiful beaches and the unique mix of Dutch and French culture, there was plenty to do during a port day.
This St Maarten itinerary shows exactly how to spend one day in St Maarten from Philipsburg cruise port, including beaches, sightseeing, transport tips and excursion options.
Table of Contents
St Maarten Cruise Port Information
The Philipsburg cruise terminal is located in the south of the island within walking distance from Philipsburg town. We walked there in about 15-20 minutes. There are taxis available from the port which charge approximately $3 USD to get to town from the port. USD is the widely accepted currency and it is a good idea to have some with you for taxis or buses if you want to get around. We felt safe walking into and around the town, we also caught some of the local minibuses and didn’t have any issues. We used SIM Local as our eSim and it worked perfectly.
Best Things To Do In St Maarten From Cruise Port
There are so many exciting things to do from Philipsburg cruise port, these are our favourites.
- Visit Maho Beach
- Relax at Mullet Bay Beach
- Explore Philipsburg
- Visit Fort Amsterdam
- Take an Island Tour
Map Of This St Maarten Port Day Itinerary
Stop 1: Watch Planes At Maho Beach
We went straight out to the most famous attraction in St Maarten, Maho Beach. You will see aircraft landing directly overhead as you stand on the sand. To get there we walked from the port into town and caught a local mini bus on Back Street out to the beach. They will have a sign in the window with Maho on it and it cost us $2 USD each one way. We also heard other tourists being charged $30 USD for a taxi out there. We loved visiting this beach for such a unique experience. It was so exciting to watch the planes fly so closely over head and land right in front of you, trying to get a picture as it zooms in.
Tip
A great tip is to check the airport arrival schedule so you know when the bigger planes are landing. We spent around 2 hours at Maho Beach and saw everything from small regional planes to large jets arriving at the airport.
Be careful to notice when the planes are taking off as they are no joke! We didn’t think too much of it and didn’t pay attention but when a big plane took off it whipped up so much sand that stung my back so loudly I screamed. It was surprisingly powerful and the sand stung quite a bit. If you see everyone moving away from the centre of the beach, you should too. Moving to the sides will save you the stress of getting caught up in the sand storm.
We went out there first thing as it was the furthest we were planning to go and therefore would be closer to the ship in the afternoon to return. You could also do it in the afternoon but be aware that the roads can get congested later in the day and you may find it takes a long time to return to the ship and you definitely don’t want to miss all aboard. This tour saves you the hassle of getting to Maho and back.
Is Maho Beach worth visiting from a cruise ship?
Maho is absolutely worth visiting from a cruise ship. We loved seeing the planes land overhead, it was such a unique experience. If it is your first time on St Maarten, I would highly recommend it.
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Stop 2: Explore Mullet Bay Beach
After you have had your fill of watching the planes land you can take a taxi or walk further around to Mullet Bay Beach. We were told by a local that it was prettier and less crowded however there were loads of sun-beds out with lots of people swimming. It is a really nice beach and there are bars and restaurants on the water with clean amenities available for a fee. We walked here to swim and relax on the sand for a bit without having to think about moving for the planes landing all the time.
Stop 3: Visit Fort Amsterdam
On the way back from Maho Beach you can stop off at Fort Amsterdam. Just ask the taxi to take you there or ask the bus driver if they can stop at the Fort. Here you will find a spot of historical significance to this Dutch colony, Fort Amsterdam. The fort ruins date to the 1600s and there are placards with information around the ruins and stunning views of nearby beaches. Lots of people like that it is less busy and great for birdwatching. It is a 1.5km walk to Great Bay Beach heading back into Philipsburg.
Stop 4: Relax At Great Bay Beach
Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise port. There are lots of beach chairs and umbrellas here to hire and spend the day relaxing. The beach is good for swimming and the water quality is quite good. This beach often makes the ideal place for cruise passengers to come and relax, soaking up the Caribbean sun and sea while being close enough to the port to not be concerned about getting back in time.
Stop 5: Walk The Philipsburg Boardwalk
Stroll along the Philipsburg boardwalk back towards the port. Here you will find the beachfront promenade, lots of restaurants, bars and duty-free shopping. It is a great spot to check out, shop and it is about a 20 minute walk (1.4km) back to the port.
Stop in to a bar or this market that has cheap cold drinks and sit to people watch. The grocery here is quite good too.
Alternative Option: Take A St Maarten Island Tour
If you are a first-time visitor and you want to see as much of the island as possible then visit both the Dutch and French sides on an island tour. You can book either through your cruise line which is a little more expensive or with these companies that understand your need to be back on time. The tours are usually 3-5 hours long, these are the top rated: St.Maarten Top Ten Highlights Island Tour, St. Maarten Half-Day Tour of French & Dutch Sides, For cruise passengers: Guided ATV Tour Dutch/French St. Maarten or for a private experience try: The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour.
Alternative Option: Visit Marigot On The French Side
Marigot is located on the French side of St Maarten and it feels like a whole different island. Here you will experience a vibrant blend of Caribbean charm and French elegance, excellent dining, historical points of interest, markets and cute cafes and bakeries. It is easiest to take a tour here so you can see all the best of the area, this one has great reviews: Shore Excursion: Philipsburg to Marigot Sightseeing Tour.
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Best Beaches Near Philipsburg Cruise Port
There are some great beaches that are really accessible from the Philipsburg port, the best are Great Bay Beach, Maho Beach, Mullet Bay Beach and Simpson Bay Beach. The furthest is ~15km away from the port. They are great swimming beaches and perfect to relax on. We loved Maho for the planes and Mullet Bay for the relaxation, both had stunning clear water and white sand. Great Bay Beach was nice but much busier as it is close to town and the port.
How To Get Around St Maarten
The main ways to get around St Maarten are by tour, taxi and local minibus. You can also rent a car but honestly I don’t really think it is worth it, in fact I think it would just add stress to your day. If using taxis be aware that the first price may not be the actual price. We heard quite different prices being quoted by different drivers, so it is worth confirming the fare before getting in to the taxi. A general fare to Maho beach should be approximately $10-15 USD each way.
The mini buses that run around the island are pretty easy to catch, we walked into Back Street and found one that said Maho on it and jumped in to go to the beach. We did the same thing to return to the town area. These buses go all over the island but traffic can get congested later in the day so I would be careful going too far from the port in the afternoon. We found the local minibuses surprisingly easy to use and they were by far the cheapest way to get around the island.
A tour or shore excursion is a great way to see the island in an efficient manner. The tours are used to cruise ship schedules and the importance of getting back in time. One thing to note is that if you are booked through your cruise ship for a shore excursion then the ship does have to make sure you get back in time for all aboard. If you book it independently then you have to make sure you are back in time. Tour companies are pretty used to this situation and the tours are usually around 4-5 hours long.
Is St Maarten Safe For Cruise Passengers?
We felt safe walking around St Maarten, the main boardwalk and beach areas are busy with tourists most of the time. There are some common scams such as taxi pricing, fake tour guides (usually trying to get people in person while leaving the port) and pickpocketing (usually at beaches). Be aware of your surroundings and belongings, have pre-booked tours and excursions and use your usual travel safety precautions.
What To Pack For A St Maarten Port Day
We took a tote bag and a dry bag out to the beaches, we prefer to take a small dry bag with our electronics in it so that they don’t get either wet or covered in sand at beaches. Alternatively there is this waterproof Yeti backpack that works like a dry bag! This is what we took with us:
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Swimsuit, swim cover up & swimsuit dry bag if you want to change out for the rest of the day
- Water shoes
- comfortable walking sneakers
- Portable charger
- Cash and cards
- Snorkel gear if applicable
St Maarten Cruise Port FAQs
Can You Walk To A Beach From St Maarten Cruise Port?
Yes you can walk to Great Bay Beach from the Philipsburg cruise port in about 20 minutes depending on your pace.
How Far Is Maho Beach From The Cruise Port?
Maho Beach is 15km and about 30 minutes by car from the cruise port.
Is St Maarten Better Than St Thomas?
Rather than ‘better’ St Maarten and St Thomas are different. St Thomas offers dramatic island views, a more American feel and snorkelling, St Maarten offers a vibrant mix of Caribbean and Dutch or French cultures, shopping and beaches.
What Currency Is Used In St Maarten?
The offical currency on the Dutch side of St Maarten the Caribbean guilder while the Euro is used on the French side, Saint Martin. USD is widely accepted across the island.
How Much Is A Taxi From Philipsburg Cruise Port To Maho Beach?
Taxi fares vary depending on the driver and number of passengers. During our visit we heard quotes ranging $9-$30 USD. Always confirm the price before starting the journey. We caught the local mini bus from Philipsburg cruise port to Maho Beach for $2 USD.
Is One Day Enough In St Maarten?
In one day you can definitely see some of St Maarten, it is much easier if you take a tour as you will cover more ground. If you are sightseeing independently then you will have time to see a few places but not the whole island.
Final Thoughts
St Maarten is a great port to get out and explore from, not only is Philipsburg walkable from the port but there are also great beaches not far away. You can be plane spotting in the morning and relaxing on a beach for the rest of the day or taking a tour to cover most of the island to get immersed in the Dutch and French cultures. This is an island that packs a lot in, follow our guide which is great for first time visitors or take a tour to make your day stress free, either way St Maarten is absolutely worth exploring.
Plan your trip:
→ Aruba Travel Guide
→ MSC Bahamas Review
→ Antigua Cruise Port Guide
→ Barbados Cruise Port Guide
→ Martinique Cruise Port Guide
→ MSC Gluten Free Review
→ Virgin Voyages Caribbean Review
→ Virgin Voyages Gluten Free Review
→ Nassau Cruise Port Guide
→ Curacao Travel Guide
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We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
