How Far Is Le Galion Beach From Cruise Port?

Le Galion Beach is a quiet family beach on the French side of St. Martin, known for its horseshoe-shaped shape and kid-friendly atmosphere. It is a shallow lagoon, and adults can walk out many ways to enjoy the beach. The beach is a short drive from where Royal Caribbean docks its cruise ships and just over the French side of the border.

The beach is a short drive away from Princess Juliana International Airport and the Philipsburg Cruise Terminal. Upon arrival, getting to Le Galion Beach is a breeze, as it is just a short drive away from the Princess Juliana International Airport and the Philipsburg Cruise Terminal. The best time to visit Le Galion Beach is during the summer months when there are few people there.

Cruise ships dock at the AC Wathey Pier Port Facility around 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Philipsburg center. It is an easy 20-minute walk into town, but water taxis also make the short trip, leaving from Captain Hodge Pier (signposted at the terminal).

For a while, Le Galion seemed like an undiscovered beach, never crowded. However, during 2014-2016, days when people from cruise ships would show up on Le Galion would feel strangely crowded. Despite this, the beach was a great place to spend a relaxing day. Prune Beach (or Plum Bay) is frequented by surfers, while Rouge Beach offers great snorkeling and is considered the islands most beautiful. Long Beach is on the border with Dutch St Maarten and has little shade and generally no breeze, making it known as a hot spot.

Le Galion Beach was also impacted by Hurricane Irma, but it was a welcome respite for those days when multiple ships were in port. The beach is a small cove with a reef sandbar that breaks any waves, making it perfect for non-swimmers and kids to have a relaxing day.