Beachfront resort located on Simpson Bay in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. The best restaurants on the island are mainly concentrated in two areas. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holland House Beach Hotel, Also See:Best Beaches: BaliBarbados Beaches, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson BaySint Maarten, NLD 1744. There are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. You can also enjoy the day at Great Bay Beach, Divi Little Bay Beach. Cupecoy is a half hour west of the port and requires a taxi or rental car to get there. What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Orient Bay Beach. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. Beforehand, youll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. Kids can play on the sand and enjoy a splash in the calm water. The beach has rental chairs and umbrellas available for rent for the day. While the other is a rocky beach that faces the other side and is exposed to the rough side of nature but bears beautiful rock formations. This area is family-friendly. 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. It is popular with hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. One of the more famous and controversial attractions is the Maho Bay beach next to Princess Juliana International Airport. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. The islands rugged coastline features 37 beaches all around. 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. September and November historically have the highest rainfall and are the riskiest months to go there. St. Maarten. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. Boutique hotel situated on Great Bay Beach in downtown Philipsburg. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. Other than the makeup of the countrys population, St. Maarten is also popular for its beaches. Vans are also available, and prices vary depending on the number of people on board. Day and night, theres always a lively atmosphere in Kim Sha Beach, St Maarten. 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. Maarten; Cruise Critic Community. If you walk it's a 15-20 min walk cruise port-beach or vv. We visited Secrets Resort in Saint Martin a week ago. You can even take a short taxi ride into Maho to watch the planes take-off and land. Your email address will not be published. We recommend booking Great Bay Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. Galion Beach is very popular with families and adrenaline junkies. 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. But dont take our word for it see for yourself. The ride is only 10 minutes long. Orient Bay, which is located on the French side of the island, is arguably the islands most famous and popular beach. Anse Marcel is one of St. Martins best kept secrets. Great food and lots of cold drinks to keep you refreshed while lounging in the sun. But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive Adults Only, The Villas at Simpson Bay Beach Resort and Marina, Atrium Beach Resort and Spa St Maarten a Ramada by Wyndham, Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa, Marys Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa, 35 Best Places to Visit in August in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in July in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in June in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in May in the USA. It has been quite a few years since I've been to St. Maarten. A five-hour shore excursion with transportation to Orient Bay and Maho Beach will start at $40 per person. If you are planning an upcoming cruise for St Maarten or the rest of the Caribbean, I have an awesome product recommendation that can save you money. Orient is a community beach where people mingle, lay in the sand, watch the sunset and the adjacent hills. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. This beach is as relaxing as relaxing gets; it even offers spa services to enhance the experience. However, if you are looking for a quieter beach, then this isnt that beach, and you should probably try Mullet beach found nearby. Maarten . The powdery soft sand and coconut trees backdrop give it a magical atmosphere. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. The main appeal is the convenient Great Bay Beach, the long boardwalk that runs parallel to it and the shops and restaurants that line the boardwalk. A snorkeling excursion there costs about $75 per person including transportation. While it is useful to consider a rental car, bus or taxi, it is wise to avoid renting a bicycle or scooter. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. At the time of this writing, getting to Marigot is $18 and Orient Beach is $20. With close to 45 miles of beautiful coastline, you'll find some amazing beaches near St Maarten cruise port. The island has a small number of narrow winding roads, so car rentals even for a day are quite commonso common that traffic jams are frequent. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. This hidden gem is seldom crowded because its tricky to find. The beach is certainly grand in Sint Maarten, and within steps from the port (unlike Cayman). A 20minutes taxi ride from the cruise pier will get you to the beach. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. There is also a small souvenir flea market nearby, just keep walking straight in pass Back Street, its hard to miss. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Two beach chairs and an umbrella go for $20. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. St. Maartens average weather consists of warm temperatures year round that average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit. This is a very nice beach, with soft sand, and gorgeous turquoise water. Bicycles / scooters. The beach is not far, and an affordable taxi ride takes you there. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The calm waters on this beach justify its spot as the best beach for swimming in St Maarten. A nice day trip is a jaunt from the Philipsburg cruise port over to Marigot, capital of the French side, or Grand Case. St. Maarten cruise docks. Our Cousin is a very active- independent young man that is in a wheelchair- I think it's going to be fine, but wanted to check? Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Sint Maarten Beach Hotels; Sint Maarten Green Hotels; Sint Maarten Business Hotels; By Hotel Class. Its also a very active beach offering waters sports such as snorkeling, boat rides, volleyball, and all other common water sports. One of the best beaches in St. Maarten is Mullet Bay Beach. You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach. If you've only got six hours: Dive or snorkel the second-largest coral reef in the world. We were there for happy hour from 1pm to 3pm and had 2 cocktails for $10 from the Nazca bar and restaurant. Additionally, there is a nearby fishing village by the beach, giving a tranquil vibe that is different from the vibrant nightlife of other beaches in St Maarten. 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Its wide shoreline makes it a perfect spot for beach picnics and playing games on the shore. The Happy bay beach is also known as the best snorkel spot in St Maarten. water warm and lovely, beach clean. The top three excursions in St. Maarten are 1) The Flying Dutchman zip-line, 2) a chairlift to the top of sentry hill and 3) racing on a multi-million dollar America's Cup yacht boat. Grand Case Beach. Pinel Beach is found in an island lying just a few yards off the east coast of Sint Martin. This is the most affordable option. Forums. A 10-15 percent tip for bus and taxi drivers is common. An invisible boundary divides the 37 km island into two countries. Check these impressive Beach Foot Pads, definitely worth packing for your cruise. Philipsburg Cruise Port in Sint Maarten. There are villas located on the mountainous side, fun tours to try, and sightseeing activities on this island. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. Alternatively, you can take a 20 minute stroll to Great Bay Beach. St Maarten has 37 different sandy beaches that you could choose from, all equipped with their own vibe and quirks. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Top 6 Car Rentals in St. Maarten Cruise Port. It consists of a small stretch of white sandy beach located next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Happy Cruising!! It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. The roads are narrow and winding. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? Great for: Beach time, diving, snorkeling, water sports. 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. The nearby amenities and close proximity to the ship make it a very popular choice for cruise guests. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. Enjoy an exciting experience with this unique water ride. Or try a restaurant that serves local cuisine to taste an array of delicious dishes. This lovely, well-sheltered beach offers crystal-clear calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. Theres so many places to check out you can get dizzy with a choice. This beach is very popular with the locals during the weekends, but its also very tranquil and uncrowded during the weekdays. It has become a popular destination for people ready to enjoy the sun rise and set while relaxing with a cocktail. Nature lovers have additional reasons to love this beach, owing to the fact that its located near the Oyster pond marina. Rates include all on-property. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Kim Sha beach is the place to be for party-goers who want the time of their life. Views remarkable. It creates a very magical experience. Which St Maarten Beaches Near Cruise Port Should I Visit? A St. Maarten bus is often an SUV. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Little Bay has perfect calm crystal clear waters resultant from the protection offered by the peninsula. Its a beautiful beach with a great variety of fish in its ecosystem, and we suggest trying out the snorkeling activities for fun! Recommended Hotel Nearby: Commodore Suites, Divi Beach, Little Bay RdSint Maarten, NLD 1744. Known to be a part of the Natural Reserve of Saint-Martin, this island is a famous snorkeling spot. As a former crew member for Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line I can continue my passion by sharing my experiences with readers. You can access this beach by walking. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. coveneiet water taxi. TThings to do near the St. Maarten Cruise Port. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Grand Case Beach Club, Also See:Top Beaches in The CaribbeanBeaches in Aruba, Orient Bay BeachSint Maarten, NLD 1744+31 6 83359253. If youre looking for a particular piece of jewelry Im sure you can find it here no doubt. From the comfort of your lounge chair under the sun . They guarantee a low waiting time of 10 minutes or less. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. St. Martin/St. The beach is 18 minutes or five miles from the Havensight cruise docks. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. In Phillipsburg, one of the best things to do is shopping on Front Street or Back Street or hang out in Wathey Square. Seawater averages about three degrees cooler, which makes swimming good at any time.