if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-box-4-0');There are many beach bars located in Maho such as Sunset Beach Bar, Driftwood Boat Bar, and the new Sandbar Beach Bar. Views remarkable. Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. Day and night, theres always a lively atmosphere in Kim Sha Beach, St Maarten. There are street bars, rum shacks serving ice-cold beer, and restaurants serving delicious food. Great Bay and Orient Bay are the best St Maarten beaches near the cruise port. Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. Directly a few blocks inland from the duty free store, past the courthouse, the yellow and blue RBC bank building with automated teller machine is always open to tourists in need of cash for excursions / tipping. Orient and Maho are the most popular shore excursion beaches, but Great Bay is free and a short walk away. Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. If tanning or water sports are not your thing, then you can take a walk around and enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and shops located in the area. Royal Palm Beach Resort. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. Taxis, which also are usually SUVs, have a T at the beginning of the license plate. Reviews. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel. View of cruise ship and stores. With so many things to do and see in St. Maarten, you may need to come back and spend a weeks holiday to really enjoy the rest of the island. This place is also less crowded and suitable for families looking for a spot for bonding and activities. Philipsburg Cruise Port in Sint Maarten. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. There are few chain restaurants. Around The Caribbean is a resource for persons who want to learn more about the Caribbean islands. "All of St. Maarten has been hit hard by a hurricane followed by a pandemic. This beach is about 30 minutes from the cruise port via taxi along Airport road. Just a short walk away you can enjoy some duty-free shopping, great food, and delicious cocktails. Great Bay Beachs location is ideal if you want to enjoy the beach as well as take advantage of the excellent duty free opportunities available on the island. St. Martin/St. "Everything was great, except check in because there's no place to park immediately until after you check in and pay the fees for the parking lot. At least when you get hungry, you are within easy reach of a restaurant, or you can go back to the ship for lunch. It is very close to the cruise terminal and you can get there either by water taxi for $7 with a return ticket or pay $5 for a one way. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. This beach offers chairs and umbrellas by the shore, which is perfect when youre in the mood to get a tan and bask out in the sun! But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. This is the most affordable option. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. You get 2 Beach Loungers and 1 umbrella and 6 beers all for approximately $25-$30 depending on which restaurant or bar you go to. We were taken to two cushioned beach chairs one row back from the beach with umbrellas. The sunset seen from Cupecoy is majestic, with views of Saba in the distance. Very busy day when we went and so lots of sunbeds-a bit crowded together. Here are the best things to do while in Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port! Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Anyone visiting St. Maarten by cruise ship or to stay at the resorts should consider Orient Bay Beach as another one worth visiting. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. The beach is seven miles west of the cruise port by Simpson Bay, which has a cluster of hotels, resorts and restaurants. Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. Great views of the cruise ships and the marina at one end and at the other end are great views of the mountains. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. For the vacationers who are early birds, they get to have a glimpse of a spectacular sunset, so be sure to set your alarms early. Kim Sha is a popular starting point for dive and excursion boats. The popular cruise destination in the Eastern Caribbean has two sides and is known for being the smallest landmass to host two nations in one place. They also have many water sports that are available. They can rent umbrellas and chairs for a reasonable price and a lovely view of the bay. Whether you prefer to be laid back or power shop, St, Maarten is the island for you and your family to enjoy it all. There are so many things to do around the cruise port that you will never be bored but may be pressed for time. INDULGENCE BY THE SEA Photo courtesy of Indulgence by the Sea LITTLE BAY BEACH ST. MAARTEN TREASURE SEEKER Photo courtesy of Treasure Seeker WATHEY SQUARE Photo courtesy of Vacation St. Maarten WATER UFO ST. MAARTEN Photo courtesy of Water UFO SUNSET BAR AND GRILL Rates include all on-property. The beach is about 1/3 mile long. 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. Drivers are sometimes aggressive when fighting through traffic. From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. Orient Bay, which is located on the French side of the island, is arguably the islands most famous and popular beach. This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. What's Included: Three types of passes are available: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $90, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $105 and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. (full-day pass) for $195. Happy Cruising!! Taxi rates are set according to more than 20 zones around the island. As such there is little vegetation. We've found the most popular sights, attractions and shore excursions for a truly amazing day. A guide, complimentary refreshments and round-trip transportation from the . Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun. 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. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. Make sure to take some home with you. coveneiet water taxi. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. Carry snacks and drinks though there are vendors on the beach. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holland House Beach Hotel, Also See:Best Beaches: BaliBarbados Beaches, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. Explore different ways to experience this place. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. Burgeaux Beach, located in the southwest heart of St Maarten, is the spot for surfers. The place is fabulous. The Philipsburg St. Maarten cruise port has three major attractions: the massive John Craane cruise terminal, the nearby city and Great Bay Beach right beside it. Though it's not nearly as . Cruise passengers get from the docks to Philipsburg via walking, taxi or an inexpensive water taxi. It was easy to relax and get the drinks. One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Orient Bay Beach. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. Jet ski, paraglide or sail at Orient Beach, then grab a snack at one of the many bars and restaurants there. Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. The island is also a famous spot for hiking and exploring the enthralling red cliffs scattered all throughout the area. It also has the massive cruise terminal nearby. From the comfort of your lounge chair under the sun . The clear crystal waters offer the perfect chance to snorkel, especially on the rockier shores. It takes just a 20-minute stroll to get there, and the beach area and boardwalk. After youve gone hiking, a replenishing meal is a definite try in the famous beachside restaurants in Friars bay. 2 sun beds, umbrella and table for $30. Remember especially if you are traveling via taxi or bus to give yourself ample time to get to your cruise ship. Little Bay Beach is known for its long stretch of white sand, calm waters, and excellent snorkeling activities. Is your upcoming Caribbean cruise docking in St Maarten? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. These Are The Cruise Accessories Youll Absolutely Love! 2022. Its located near Maho beach, and though you can see the airplanes flying above, they are usually far away and therefore less noisy. This is the beach for you. This was our second visit. Where they serve fresh fish and lobsters for lunch among others. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Great Bay Beach: Great Bay Beach, Philipsburg: Address, Great Bay Beach Reviews: 4.5/5. 1. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Esmeralda Resort, Burgeaux Beach, Burgeaux BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. It is a definite try if youre on a trip to the Caribbean. Anguilla is the most popular of the three and only 10 miles off the St. Maarten coast. 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. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach is a beautiful beach that stretches 2 miles (3.22 km) long that looks like a postcard from every angle. This is something extraordinary to write home about. Dont miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the aquatic beauty underneath the surface. This beach is found on the Dutch side of the island towards the southwestern ends. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. 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. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour 206 Recommended Bus Tours from $450.00 $382.25 per group (up to 10) Ultimate Eco and Sightseeing Tour 33 Recommended Power Boats from $95.00 per adult Sunset Champagne Cruise in St. Maarten 18 Recommended Sailing from $50.26 per adult Private St Maarten Island Sightseeing Tour 7 Adventure Tours from St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. Orient Beach and the town of Marigot are two popular attractions on the French side of the island. Car rentals. See all 9 Great Bay Beach tours on Tripadvisor, See all Great Bay Beach experiences on Tripadvisor, Luxury Beachfront 2 Bedroom Condo In The Heart Of Philipsburg/Great Bay, View all hotels near Great Bay Beach on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Great Bay Beach on Tripadvisor, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Philipsburg, Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store: Tickets & Tours, The Rusty Parrot - Sint Maarten Pirate Experience: Tickets & Tours, Healing Hands of Crystal: Tickets & Tours, Philipsburg Marketplace: Tickets & Tours, Evening Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo with Private Transport, Amalfi Coast Small group Tour by Boat from Sorrento, Shared Ferry Shuttle from St. Maarten to Anguilla, Rhythm Of Rum Tour & Rum Tasting Saint Lucia, Grand Staircase Escalante UT-12 Self-Driving Tour, 2 Day Argentinian and Brazilian Iguazu Falls, Premium Hanbok Experience in Hanboknam Gyeongbok Palace Branch, Orange County Premier Dinner Cruise from Newport Beach, Airport transportation between San Juan and Rio Grande. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes.