Magens Bay has an entry fee of $5 for adults and children 13 and older. 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 crystal-clear waters beckon to beach bummers, and once you are in you might not get out till its time to head back. They called him cheap and and wouldnt leave him alone. Great beach. Orient Bay is the most popular beach in St. Martin. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We left our cruise ship and headed for the water taxis -7 dollars return to the beach and back. Beforehand, youll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. View of cruise ship and stores. Worth it even if you take just a dip. We walked from the port to the beach area around 20 mins and walked along the beach front stopping in and out of shops on routewe must have been offered sunbeds by at least 10 different people..most were polite enough when you said no but most were quite persistent and it was pretty irritating one after the other continuously. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. Pinel has two breathtaking beaches. I've lived on St. Martin/St. All Inclusive. All Inclusive Hotels in Sint Maarten; Near Airports. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Very energetic walkers can hike 2.5 miles to the other side of the bay to Little Bay Beach and the small ruins of Fort Amsterdam. They are Philipsburg on the southern coast and Simpson Bay on the southwest coast because they have the cruise port and the airport. There is also a small souvenir flea market nearby, just keep walking straight in pass Back Street, its hard to miss. Martin. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. . The chairs and umbrellas are $5 each. 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. Vacationers will find this place different from other St Maarten beaches because it is divided into smaller shores with surrounding limestone cliffs. Surfing is also one of the best things to do in St Maarten; Mullet bay has northern winds, making it an excellent spot for surfers. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. It is larger than Maho beach and it a good option for beginner snorkeling as you can see fishes near the shoreline. A snorkeling excursion there costs about $75 per person including transportation. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. You only need to get to the port early. I know you will love visiting this Caribbean island as much as I do. There are few chain restaurants. $$ - $$$ Caribbean Cajun & Creole Pub, Neighborhoods Points of Interest & Landmarks. Beach bumming is the main activity here, but you can also try the locals favorite guava berry rum Coladas served at the little bars nearby. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. Marigot Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. However, the good news is that the beaches are there and your favorite restaurants and resorts are hard at work rebuilding. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. Known to be a favorite spot among celebrities, this outstanding beach showcases a plethora of restaurants, hotels, and shops by the oceanfront, making it convenient for the tourists to go souvenir shopping. Known to be a part of the Natural Reserve of Saint-Martin, this island is a famous snorkeling spot. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. The water taxi stand at the cruise port is just a quick walk north of the docks. Its like a 3 min ride. If youre looking for a particular piece of jewelry Im sure you can find it here no doubt. We visited Secrets Resort in Saint Martin a week ago. Since 1648, Philipsburg has been a site of settlement or port of call for travellers as well as slave ships past (see Lizzy Wade for Science 9 Mar 2015). If youre on a Caribbean cruise tour, Great Bay Beach is a fun stopover for daytrippers since it is located at the peak of Philipsburg. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. They prob stop and ask about every 5 mins so it does get annoying. Rates include all on-property. Time to ged inspired by these 13 stunning St. Maarten beaches you can experience during a cruise vacation in the eastern Caribbean. Taxis, which also are usually SUVs, have a T at the beginning of the license plate. Located at the northwestern coast of St Maarten, it is a great surfing stop for beginners due to its gentle waves. In this post we will explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in St Maarten on a cruise. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. It is located right at the heart of Philipsburg. Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. Again, look for signs point the way. Known to be near the Great Bay, you could make a side trip here to experience this beachs greatness. The Philipsburg and Simpson Bay restaurants cater to all tastes. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. Very convenient. This lovely, well-sheltered beach offers crystal-clear calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. The overhead plane landing makes it one of the most popular beaches in St Maarten. We were family of 5 with late teens, beautiful day off a cruise ship. Orient Bay Beach is excellent for water sport activities such as snorkeling and many individuals prefer it for swimming and sunbathing than Great Bay Beach. The best beach near the St. Maarten cruise port is just a quick walk or taxi ride away. St Maarten/St Martin Beaches Maho Beach - This famous beach is one of the main St Maarten attractions and is located a 25-minute drive (14 km/9 miles) from the cruise ship terminal. Rates quoted by the St. Maarten Taxi Association are $10 per person each way for two passengers and $9 per person for three to five passengers. Are you looking for a unique experience by the beach thats accessible and convenient? Your email address will not be published. Beaches In St Maarten Near Cruise Port (The Ultimate Guide), Living In The Caribbean (Pros & Cons Fully Explained). If walking isnt appealing, there are quite a few transportation options. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. If these beaches dont meet your needs, then try any of the 24 remaining beaches you are sure to find what you are looking for. Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking in St Maarten? Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. Log in. Little Bay rests at the base of Fort . Little Bay Beach is just right next to Great Bay Beach only separated by the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The swell is never too high thanks to its coral reefs. When you get hungry, visit the popular Chez Raymond for grilled foods and drinks. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. 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. It actually runs parallel to Front Street just one street over, do not miss out on the experience. There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. Cheap property set in the centre of the city, walking distance from beach. Kim Sha beach is the place to be for party-goers who want the time of their life. It is reasonably private and not crowded, giving you ample time for relaxation and sunbathing. This area is family-friendly. They have Jet-Skis rentals and water sports equipment rentals. Feel free to browse our website for more content on St Maarten, the Dutch Caribbean and rest of the Caribbean by using the search bar located at the top of this page. It. Note that it is clothing optional. Its surrounded by perfect vistas of the ocean and lush hills. Do the taxis going from the St. Maarten cruise port to great bay beach dock at a pier or beach? You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. The beach is seven miles west of the cruise port by Simpson Bay, which has a cluster of hotels, resorts and restaurants. Forums. A St. Maarten cruise has great appeal simply because the island has one of the best cruise ports in the entire Caribbean. If youre coming with kids who love water activities, you could try out their snorkeling and underwater fun for a lower price than other beaches in St Maarten. Most people visit the beach to see the Jumbo jets that fly over it at very close proximities when landing or taking off from the airport right next door. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Then travelled back on water taxi (very good ride!) Recommended Hotel Nearby: Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-banner-1-0');Visit Little Bay Beach if youre looking for a beach thats close to the cruise port, about 7-minute cab ride. The following are some of our articles which we believe may be suitable for you. Otherwise, look for signs at the mall pointing toward the $5 water taxi. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? Its not difficult to spend a day exploring this fantastic beach, be sure to pack some energy and appetite when trying out the local cuisine. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. Check it out and enjoy your Caribbean adventure to the fullest! 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. The ride is only 10 minutes long. This was our second visit. This is an active beach with water sports ranging from kayaking to paddle boarding. But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port. Roatan, Honduras. 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. The water is calm, no waves. What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Orient Bay Beach. It has become a popular destination for people ready to enjoy the sun rise and set while relaxing with a cocktail. Friars Bay beach is a hidden gem amongst the best beach spots in St Maarten. With palm trees leaning in, Do some hammock napping with your family. 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. You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. An invisible boundary divides the 37 km island into two countries. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. You can take a tour of the nature reserve nearby as you explore the majestic beauty of the place. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. Some of the ladies started harassing a guy because he said no to a massage for his wife. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. More restaurants are in the packed resort areas. Its arguably famously known as the bikini beach as it entertains many lively parties and holds huge crowds of party people. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. Pinel Beach is found in an island lying just a few yards off the east coast of Sint Martin. This beach is public, and you only need to rent chairs and umbrellas if you so wish. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and local foods can be found at Rosies Snack Bar. Enjoy swimming in the water or lazing in the sun.