What To Do In St Martin Cruise Port?

Great Bay Beach, located in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, is a popular destination for cruise passengers looking to explore the island. The beach offers a stunning view of Philipsburg’s Great Bay Beach, making it the closest beach to the cruise terminal. Other popular attractions include Maho Beach, Marigot Grand Case, Pic du Paradis, Orient Beach, and Philipsburg.

Cruise ships arriving in St. Maarten can enjoy a breathtaking view of Great Bay Beach. Other activities include exploring Philipsburg, taking an island tour, and diving with sharks. The best things to do in St. Maarten cruise port include zip-lining, ATV and jeep tours, snorkeling, toppers, Rhum Distillery, Pinel Island, Captain Bob Speed Boat, snorkeling, and beach tours.

The town of Philipsburg is home to many great things to do in St. Maarten, including beautiful beaches near the cruise port, exciting excursions, and island tours. Most guests spend most of their time relaxing on Great Bay Beach or browsing duty-free shops. In summary, St. Maarten offers a variety of activities for cruise passengers, from relaxing on the beach to exploring the island’s hidden gems.

What do you do on port days on a cruise?

The choice is totally yours. You can go ashore on a tour, explore the cruise port on your own or stay onboard and relax by the pool, book a (usually discounted on port days) spa treatment or take advantage of other activities on your ship during the day.

Are beaches free in St Maarten?

Both St. Maarten and St. Martin beaches are free of charge. Contrary to various other islands in the region, both Dutch side St. Maarten and French sideSt. Martin have free beach access for all. In some cases, you would either need to go around a resort or pass through – just let the guard know you are coming for the beach.

If you have difficulty choosing your beach, see our guide to St. Maarten / St. Martin beaches to select your seaside spot of preference. Go explore the 37 breathtaking beaches that St Maarten/ St Martin has to offer!

See for more questions you might have before traveling to St. Maarten our frequently asked questions page.

What happens on port Day?

You will need to go through some basic security checks when you leave the ship, and have your cruise card scanned by crew. Depending on the port, you may also have do go through some immigration checks; ensure you check this before you sail and bring any visa or travel documentation with you.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship at a port of call?. When it comes to getting on and off the ship, the crew always endeavor to make the process as seamless as possible. One of the reasons you may be given an allocated time to exit the ship is to avoid queuing, allowing you to get into port quicker. Should you be arriving at a tender port, it will take a little longer because of the time spent on the tender boat. If you have a Shore Experience booked, make sure to leave plenty of time so that you can get to your meeting point.

What will I need to bring when I go ashore?. You will need to take your passport, cruise card, and other travel documents with you when you go ashore (as some ports have additional immigration checks), plus local currency or a credit card. Passports may not be required for getting on and off the ship in many port calls, however they may be useful in an emergency. We also suggest bringing your Daily Program with you, as it contains useful local emergency information in case of difficulty.

Is St Maarten walkable from cruise port?

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

Can you stay on ship on port days?

Feel free to stay on board our ships on port days. There’s plenty to do…. Sleep in and catch up with much needed sleep after last night’s FUN! Into outdoor games?

Feel free to stay on boardour ships on port days. There’s plenty to do….

Sleep in and catch up with much needed sleep after last night’s FUN!How about relaxing your mind with some morning YogaEnjoy a late breakfast in the Lido RestaurantInto outdoor games?bean bag toss or a game of ping pong?Need to burn off calories from last night’s melting chocolate cake? the Fitness Center is calling your nameHow about brain teasers?trivia or the daily puzzle?A spa seminar?Or better yet, a verrrrrry relaxing massage at our Spa?Grab a lounge chair poolside for some sun and fun!Connect to the internet and contact friends and family back homeHop in the whirlpool with your favorite frozen drinkSit on your balcony and finish that best seller your started at home.

And if you want to pick up that last minute souvenir, there maystill be time to venture off the ship.

Can you walk in St Martin?

Hikers’ Paradise. A number of hiking trails also start at the island’s high point. You can follow them to the coast and the many beaches of Saint Martin. Your efforts will be well rewarded!

We suggest four itineraries for you to try, preferably with hiking boots. A compass will come in handy because the uneven terrain through the forest can mess up your sense of direction.

Northeast Ridges. Distance: 2.8 mi – Elevation drop: 1,345 ft – Starts at: Pic Paradis – Ends at: Orient Bay. From the island’s highest point, head north along a mountain path, and turn eastwards once you’re above the hill named Montagne France. Then continue through the forest, cutting across the ruins and tombs of the abandoned hamlet of Petit-Fond. Get back on the main path, head toward and cross the N7 road. The Orient Bay area is just ahead of you. You might want to continue to the beach for a swim in the sea.

Central Ridges. Distance: 2.8 mi – Elevation drop: 508 ft – Starts at: Pic Paradis antenna -Ends at: Concordia Hill and St Peters Hill antenna. Head south from Pic Paradis. Beware, this hiking trail can become impassable in rainy weather. The path stays close to the ridge line, which you’ll follow down to Mount Flagstaff. You’ll then follow the border, a long stone wall running between the two parts of the island. Concordia Hill is on the French side and St Peters Hill is just opposite, on the Dutch side of the border.

Can you walk to a beach from St Maarten Cruise Port?

St Maarten is the only country in the world with a beachside capital, and this beach stretches along its full length. Like Philipsburg itself, Great Bay Beach is only a five to ten minute walk from the cruise port. No other cruise port along your itinerary will provide a beach so close, so you might as well want to grasp this opportunity! Along the beach goes Philipsburg’s boardwalk, making the beach easily walkable.

The boardwalk is approximately a mile and a half long so within walking distance range for most. The boardwalk, as well as parallel running Front Street, is dotted with restaurants and things to do. Please see below clusters around the three cruise port water taxi / ferry pickups:

Walking & Water Taxis / Ferries from the Cruise pier to Philipsburg. The St Maarten cruise terminal is uniquely located close to the Dutch Side capital, Philipsburg. You can walk from the port to the town center in 10 minutes along the main road outside the port gates. You can also take a water taxi / ferry from the port to Philipsburg. These will bring you to either of these three moorings:

How to get around St Maarten from Cruise Port?

Taxi Services to St. Maarten Cruise Port. Taxi services are the easiest way to travel to and from the St. Maarten Cruise Terminal. Taxis and water taxis are located a short walk from the cruise pier and take passengers to Philipsburg by water taxi or all over the island by normal taxi.

Saxsen Norton, an actress and model, Hero Otway, a model and actress, and Geo Vanna Gonzalez, a Miami-based artist, enjoy drinks at Sunset Bar on Celebrity Edge. (Photo: Naima Green/AIPP)

Cruisers requiring mobility help may be dropped off by car or taxi at the main entrance to the terminal. The open-air cruise terminal is flat and accessible for wheelchair users.

How to get around St Maarten from cruise port?

Taxi Services to St. Maarten Cruise Port. Taxi services are the easiest way to travel to and from the St. Maarten Cruise Terminal. Taxis and water taxis are located a short walk from the cruise pier and take passengers to Philipsburg by water taxi or all over the island by normal taxi.

Saxsen Norton, an actress and model, Hero Otway, a model and actress, and Geo Vanna Gonzalez, a Miami-based artist, enjoy drinks at Sunset Bar on Celebrity Edge. (Photo: Naima Green/AIPP)

Cruisers requiring mobility help may be dropped off by car or taxi at the main entrance to the terminal. The open-air cruise terminal is flat and accessible for wheelchair users.

Can you travel freely between St. Martin and St. Maarten?

A true “Tale of Two Cities,” the island of St. Martin and St. Maarten is proud of its dual heritage and customs. There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island.

What is the best way to get around in St Maarten?

The best way to get around St. Martin and St. Maarten is in a rental car. But really, outside of walking, just about any means of navigating between the French and Dutch sides of the island is manageable.

When not to go to St. Martin?

Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there’s a chance of hurricanes.