Dont be surprised to see a beach goer who wears nothing at all. But be aware that some people have been hurt by the jet blasts. Grand Case Beach. Easily one of our favorite destinations among the best beaches in St Maarten, Baie Rouge offers long extensive shores and pristine cool waters. This beach is as relaxing as relaxing gets; it even offers spa services to enhance the experience. Things To Bring On A Cruise: 19 Cheap & Really Useful Cruise Items, 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love. View of cruise ship and stores. Related:15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. For tourists who have a heart for adventure, this ones for you. Unfortunately, you may only get a glimpse of this gem of an island, I always recommend a proper vacation for a week or two. The island only has one major road. You can also walk from the port which takes 15-20 minutes. Forums. Great beach. Be sure to pack some goggles or eye protective gear with you because when the larger planes take off from the airport, watch out for sand sprays on the shore may occur. . The terminal has useful signs that point people to where they want to go. Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of the island and is the last beach on the way to the French side. New restaurant Oleos had good food and amazing view. All Inclusive Hotels in Sint Maarten; Near Airports. Recommended Hotel Nearby: El Zafiro Boutique Hotel. Charged 30 dollars(should have haggled) for two sunbeds and an umbrella plus 6 free beers! Why We Recommend This Beach They can walk a hundred more feet to reach many more restaurants and the ports extensive shopping district, most of which falls along the lengthy Front Street. Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. Water Shoes might be good for a day on the beach when snorkeling, get yours here. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. Top 5 Best Beach In St Maarten For Snorkeling Happy Bay Beach Happy Bay is a small beautiful beach that is located in the Northwest of the island between the Bay of Grand Case and Friars Bay. Quite packed thoughClose by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here. 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. It is larger than Maho beach and it a good option for beginner snorkeling as you can see fishes near the shoreline. Asked for Miguel after reading recomendations but he wasn't around so headed off to quiet end with wider beach and Sweet Andy looked after us. Fine sandy beach alongside a boardwalk. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. But among this plethora of sandy dunes and pristine waters, we went ahead and narrowed down a list of the best beaches in St Maarten. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. Great Bay Beach is one of the closest beaches to the cruise port terminal in Philipsburg. Anyone with an interest in good beaches might instead consider a shore excursion to one of the neighboring islands, such as Anguilla, St. Barth or Saba. The high rocks block most of the wind, so its a good choice when the Caribbean trade winds are strong that day. They also have showers and restrooms that are all nearby and available for everyone to use. The uncrowded shore of Grand Case Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, will lure you in with its clear turquoise seas and long, expansive coastline. We were taken to two cushioned beach chairs one row back from the beach with umbrellas. Clothing is optional because it is secluded and located by the French St. Martin border. That aspect alone would make you want to visit this spot, and it also makes Burgeaux beach one of the best beach destinations on the island. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. The eateries are a hive of energy with an exciting atmosphere as many businesses, and VIP parties are held here. Sint Maarten as called by the Dutch and St. Martin by the French, is a 37 sq mile island that features all the charm of the Caribbean. Little Bay is located about a 10 minute drive from the cruise port. The crystal-clear waters beckon to beach bummers, and once you are in you might not get out till its time to head back. You can also take a stroll to the nearby market for the local cuisine. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Walk around to get the best deals on t-shirts, perfumes, cigarettes/cigars, alcohol, homeware and electronics, all duty-free. 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. Didnt feel too crowded and it was a great beach for kids to play and swim. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in St Maarten, located near Princess Juliana Airport. It requires steering with your bodymovements, if you have 2 people riding you must lean in unison. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Atrium Beach Resort and Spa St Maarten a Ramada by Wyndham, Also See:Beaches in BermudaBest Beaches in JamaicaPhuket Beaches, Guana Bay, PhilipsburgSint Maarten, NLD 1744. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. But dont take our word for it see for yourself. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. A St. Maarten bus is often an SUV. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. Maarten . TThings to do near the St. Maarten Cruise Port. From this lovely beach, you will also see beautiful mountains against the magnificent blue sky over the sea. Very pretty mountains around the bay and it's great to watch the ships come and go. Dawn Beach offers spectacular views of sunrises. Great Bay beach is a lovely beach to sit and relax while soaking up the sun or enjoying the view of the ocean. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. Make sure to take some home with you. Front Street in Philipsburg. This white sandy beach is a sight to behold. However, the good news is that the beaches are there and your favorite restaurants and resorts are hard at work rebuilding. Public bus. Visitors should know in advance that restaurants and food stands are a bit expensive, so it pays to bring food along on the visit. Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. It's about a $50-$60 for the round trip but it all depends on how many passengers. 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. Some of the beds were very worn one or two broken so check that your bed is ok before sitting down. The beach strip has enough to offer during the day, though, and stores galore towards Achter Straatan enduring shopping destination! Visit the beach and enjoy the long crescent-shaped spread of soft white sandy beach. Its located on the northeastern coast of the French side. A cab to the beach costs about $9 per person while a bus costs $2 per person. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. So get a taxi or car rental if you plan to see more than just the tourism district. Complete with the softest powdery coasts, turquoise waters, and the freshest breezes of cool air, this island is a breathtaking destination. Time to ged inspired by these 13 stunning St. Maarten beaches you can experience during a cruise vacation in the eastern Caribbean. They also give you free Wi-Fi so dont forget to ask for the Wi-Fi code, especially for your social media buffs. Do you need to book in advance to visit Great Bay Beach? Snorkeling, swimming, and jet skiing are the reigning favorite things to do on Maho Beach. Clean restrooms are available to visitors. You can access this beach by walking. Walk along the beach on the boardwalk to find shops, food and drink or grab a chair and umbrella (usually for a fee) and take a dip in the bay. 2022 Scott S. Bateman. However, this laid-back Caribbean destination is also host to some amazing shopping, where you can unearth authentic souvenirs and gifts. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. The sea was crystal clear light blue and the sand v clean and there was a lovely breeze. Beach 3 Snorkeling 4 St. Maartan Airport Tour 5 Catamaran Tour 6 4x4 Adventure 7 Dolphin Encounter 8 Butterfly Farm 9 Scuba Diving 10 Horseback Riding 11 ATV 12 Kayaking 13 Bicycle Tour 14. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? With all that said remember to carry good water shoes, lots of sunscreen, your bathing suit and enjoy your cruise vacation. The Sunset Beach Bar is a popular destination amongst St.Maarten tourists and locals, other places in Maho are Driftwood Boat bar right on the beach great spot to catch the planes and a new bar called Sand bar. Anyone who walks around the Philipsburg waterfront wont find much else to see other than the beach, boardwalk, shops and restaurants. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. The walk is about 10 minutes, goes three fourths of a mile and is not difficult on a warm day. 17 Best Beaches in St. Maarten Top Public Beach Spots! From the great restaurants to the funky music, you cant afford to not love this beach. More restaurants are in the packed resort areas. 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. This Beach is a hidden gem found behind Divi resorts and makes for a perfect escape from the crowds. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region. Few facilities or commercial establishments are available nearby. This beach presents a serene environment for laying back and just busking. 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. Outside of Philipsburg, two of the most famous attractions on the island are beaches. Took a water taxi from cruise port area $7 per person round trip. 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. Enjoy a nice blood warming match of volley ball. Competent swimmers should try this beach and swim out to the arch and enjoy the other hidden beach found at the base of the cliff. St.Barths is only 30 minutes away from this beach, and we suggest you take a side trip there to complete your ultimate Caribbean vacation. It creates a very magical experience. St. Martin is named as the French side and St. Maarten is named as the Dutch side. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. Maho Beach is a bucket list item for most tourists visiting St. Martin. Great food and lots of cold drinks to keep you refreshed while lounging in the sun. Around The Caribbean is a resource for persons who want to learn more about the Caribbean islands. before joining cruise ship. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. What restaurants are near Great Bay Beach? The waters on this beach are very inviting. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. Maho Beach is also known as the airplane beach and is the most famous and favorite spot for locals and tourists. The beach which starts at the end of Princess Juliana Airport Runway attracts airplane fanatics, thrill seekers and even photographers. Take a water taxi to the island and enjoy the amazing beaches and scenery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The short runway forces planes to fly low over the beach. Water sports are also an option for the group who looks for day thrills. One beach faces Saint Martin and is a perfect stretch of sandbar with shallow, calm waters perfect for families with kids. Please note that some of the beaches mentioned were heavily hit by hurricane Irma and are still rebuilding. Therefore, be sure to gauge return time to the ship properly as there can be traffic jams on afternoons from this beach back to the port. I've lived on St. Martin/St. You can take off and walk the boardwalk and sightsee or just relax and work on your tan. Do the taxis going from the St. Maarten cruise port to great bay beach dock at a pier or beach? The place is fabulous. Take a swim in the clear blue sea. September and November historically have the highest rainfall and are the riskiest months to go there. In this post we will explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in St Maarten on a cruise. Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Swim shoes may come in handy when walking by the shore, and there may be small rocks you may encounter when walking in the waters. Mullet Bay has beautiful white sand with calm waters and amazing views and landscape. St Maarten is loved by tourists and visitors to the island for its bustling night life, diverse dining options and its exciting duty free shopping experience. Beach nice enough, sea was lovely but quite a drop as the current changed..safe enough though. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? You can get to this beach via a taxi or a bus. If you are looking for a beach away from the hustle of the capital city with a Caribbean feel, then Orient Bay Beach is an amazing option to consider. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Orient Bay, which is located on the French side of the island, is arguably the islands most famous and popular beach. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 2. The island has virtually no stop signs or stop lights. Show Prices. The liquor is a rare combination of aged rum, sugar cane, and wild guava berries found in the central part of the island. But it is one of the most convenient beaches in the Caribbean for cruise port visitors because it is within walking distance of the docks. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. 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. Little Bay has perfect calm crystal clear waters resultant from the protection offered by the peninsula. This is the most affordable option. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. St Maarten has one major road and it is not uncommon for there to be huge traffic congestion especially on afternoons. The beach is 18 minutes or five miles from the Havensight cruise docks. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Playa Orient Bay. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. The water is warm with a pleasant surf. Budget-minded walkers will go less than one mile or about 10 to 12 minutes to reach the beginning of the beach. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. All sun protection wear can be found on Amazon by clicking here. This Is What You Need To Plan The Best Cruise With A Baby, How To Plan Awesome Family Cruise Shore Excursions Youll Love. One of the more interesting beaches on St. Maarten is Cupecoy because of its white sand, sandstone cliffs and small caves along the shore. Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse. Wathey Square is where the boat taxis operate from. With its beautiful calm waters and sandy shores, it truly is one of the top beaches in St Maarten. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Excited about sunrise and sunsets? Other than the makeup of the countrys population, St. Maarten is also popular for its beaches. Say Maho! when the planes fly over your head; its a tradition on the island! I know you will love visiting this Caribbean island as much as I do. - Best is subjective as some prefer a cab, while others favour a Jinty They dont tell you how much the braids cost till the end and this lady wanted $65 for some braids she put in my sons hair but my daughters cost $25. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its location near the runway of the Princess Juliana Airport. With its nice horizon, outstanding view, and superb restaurants to trythe Oyster pond is one of the prettiest beaches in St Maarten. Little Bay, located near Fort Amsterdam and Philipsburg, is a beach dive location with calm waters and rock beach breaks. It has beautiful white sand beaches and is reachable by ferry or excursion boat from Simpson Bay and Marigot. from the cruise ship pier shopping area to the center of Great Bay beach ($7 for unlimited tri 93% of travelers recommend this experience. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. Shops and food along the boardwalk. The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. The beach is seven miles west of the cruise port by Simpson Bay, which has a cluster of hotels, resorts and restaurants. Mullet Bay may get too busy on the weekends, so we suggest that you visit during the weekdays to maximize your relaxation by the beach. Check these impressive Beach Foot Pads, definitely worth packing for your cruise. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. From water sports, swimming, sunbathingyoull never run out of things to do. Not only will the beach take your breath away but also the view, including the sunsets and docked yachts, produce a postcard memory if you go on a trip in the Oyster Pond. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. Vacationers will find this place different from other St Maarten beaches because it is divided into smaller shores with surrounding limestone cliffs. The Great Bay Beach is a well-maintained destination complete with white sandy dunes and clear waters, which is why its among our top picks when it comes to the different nice beaches in St Maarten. With its mesmerizing blue waters, sunny beaches, and lively nightlifeSt Maarten in the Caribbean islands is lauded as a prime vacation spot, especially for those who are in need of travel inspiration. The city of Philipsburg itself is one of the best attractions on the island because of its appealing and well-developed tourism district. This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. Top 10 St. Maarten Excursions Catamaran ($1599.99) Sonesta Day Pass ($88.99) Speedboat & Snorkel ($124.99) Highlights & Beach ($55.99) Sightseeing ($44.99) Attraction Park ($138.99) ATV HIghlight and Beach ($99.99) Beach Bum Combo ($44.99) Full Day Sailing ($134.99) Sky Explorer and Dutchman ($98.99) St. Maarten Cruise Excursions Reviews 4.8/5 Snorkeling and diving equipment are available for rent as well as jet skis. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port.