It's perfect for a lazy beach day. Here you can dine at French, Thai, and Italian restaurants. This hidden gem is seldom crowded because its tricky to find. Forums. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. 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 Dont miss out on visiting the different souvenir shops where you could snag some trinkets and memorabilia to remember your Caribbean Trip here in Great Bay Beach. Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. Oyster Pond is perfect if youre looking for a place that exudes tranquility. 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. Friars Bay beach is a hidden gem amongst the best beach spots in St Maarten. Its perfect for a lazy beach day. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. The short runway forces planes to fly low over the beach. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops. 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! This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. Located at the northwestern coast of St Maarten, it is a great surfing stop for beginners due to its gentle waves. 3-Hour Guided Jeep Tour Island Highlights and 1-Hour Relax by Beach, The Best of St Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour, The Original Eco Tour Full-Day Around the Island of Sint Maarten, Private St Maarten Island Sightseeing Tour, Best Of St Maarten Private Nightlife Tour, Modern Interactive Art MaShin Tour in Philipsburg with Pickup, @Philipsburg: calling all Sunbathers and shoppers. Grand case beach is a clean, tourist-friendly beach that you are bound to enjoy. A snorkeling excursion there costs about $75 per person including transportation. Orient Bay is a fairly quick drive by taxi, rental car or excursion bus from Philipsburg. #2 Best Value of 7 Cruise Port Hotels in Philipsburg. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and local foods can be found at Rosies Snack Bar. Thats where Europeans set up shop and schooling for local children over a century ago. Central town beaches usually aren't great, but that's not the case here. Authentic name brands like Armani, Versace, Gucci are just some designer brands you will find. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful beach of St Maarten. Best for Crown Bay Cruisers: Emerald Beach (Lindbergh Bay Beach) Why go: Home to the Emerald Beach Resort, Lindbergh Bay has all the things you want in a beach, while being located close. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Great food and lots of cold drinks to keep you refreshed while lounging in the sun. Though it's not nearly as . All sun protection wear can be found on Amazon by clicking here. There are several beach bars such as Waikiki Beach, Kakao, Perch Bar & Grill, Bikini Beach and Kontiki Beach in this area. The island only has one major road. Running parallel to the boardwalk is Front Street, which has most of the shops in the city. Shopping and Dining | Attractions | Getting Around | Beaches | Weather. 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 sea was crystal clear light blue and the sand v clean and there was a lovely breeze. Before we get started, youre going to need to check all these beach accessories. Snorkeling and diving equipment are available for rent as well as jet skis. What Attractions Are At Orient Bay Beach? These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. A 15-minute taxi ride will get you to this beach. Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. What restaurants are near Great 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. more. The beach restaurants are currently closed due to hurricane Irmas damage, but rebuilding is taking place. A St. Maarten bus is often an SUV. The following are some of our articles which we believe may be suitable for you. For $7 you can get a water taxi round trip from the cruise port. Alicia's Inn. Its worth noting that shopping on Front Street has declined in recent years because much of it has moved to the John Craane cruise terminal. The beach which starts at the end of Princess Juliana Airport Runway attracts airplane fanatics, thrill seekers and even photographers. Martin. 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. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. Sit on the pier with a great view of the cruise ships that have docked in the port. Right around the corner was the bar which was basically a guy pouring mixed drinks and coolers with beer, soda and waters. Two beach chairs and an umbrella go for $20. 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. An exclusive shore excursion to Orient Bay costs about $70 per person. Maho Beach Arguably the most popular beach that travelers on cruises to St. Maarten visit is Maho Beach, which is known for having the area's longest stretch of hotels and resorts. Great views of the cruise ships and the marina at one end and at the other end are great views of the mountains. Kids can play on the sand and enjoy a splash in the calm water. A guide, complimentary refreshments and round-trip transportation from the . 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. Riselle Celestina for Insider. At least when you get hungry, you are within easy reach of a restaurant, or you can go back to the ship for lunch. You can take a taxi which charges about $6 per person to the beach. Cruise passengers get from the docks to Philipsburg via walking, taxi or an inexpensive water taxi. 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. The place is fabulous. Located on the northeast coast of St Maarten is The Orient Bay Beach, the perfect vacation spot. The beach is 18 minutes or five miles from the Havensight cruise docks. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. The sunset in Cupecoy Beach is astounding, and we suggest you spend it at the bar while waiting for the vibrant ambiance at night. Its turquoise blue waters hit the shorelines and leave a gushing atmosphere at its wake. There are a number of bars that offer drinks and lounge chairs at the beach. 15 Best Cozumel Beaches You Should Experience, 15 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise, Photos Reveal Progress at Carnival Cruise Lines New Port, Cunard Line Unveils Historical Photo ExhibitionFrom Past 100 Years, Royal Caribbean Cuts Back on Housekeeping Service, Fourth Carnival Cruise Ship Will Be Based Out of Galveston, Texas. If you're wondering how to get from St. Maarten Airport to your hotel, I highly recommend pre-booking a private car transfer. These beaches are unique and vary in features courtesy of the Caribbean and Atlantic sea that border the island on either side. It offers convenient access and plenty to do right there by the port. Enjoy an exciting experience with this unique water ride. So, go there early to get a good spot on the beach. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. 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. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. You have detailed explanations in my Maho Beach review. If youre feeling adventurous, you could go for a hike in Happy Bay, a local and tourist favourite. We took a water taxi to this beach. The beach is certainly grand in Sint Maarten, and within steps from the port (unlike Cayman). Great Bay beach is a lovely beach to sit and relax while soaking up the sun or enjoying the view of the ocean. A smaller number of restaurants are on the French side in Marigot and Grand Case. Seawater averages about three degrees cooler, which makes swimming good at any time. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino & Spa. But all in all, both sides offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea, and keep an eye on the time, time flies when youre having fun. Juliana Airport (SXM) Hotels near Esperance Airport (SFG) Hotels near Wallblake Airport (AXA) Tours; Add a . The destruction and lack of money from tourism has resulted in most of the island being in some state of disrepair. What Costs Are Involved In Visiting Orient Bay Beach. Kim Sha is a popular starting point for dive and excursion boats. 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. 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. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. Outside of Philipsburg, two of the most famous attractions on the island are beaches. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. There are many places to shop around and search for deals. This lovely, well-sheltered beach offers crystal-clear calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. St. Martin/St. Are You Thinking About Going on a Cruise With Your Family? Once we got the the beach there are people there trying to rent you lounge chairs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',113,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stmaartenadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-113{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}If youre into water sports, this is a one of a kind attraction in the Caribbean, great fun! Fine sandy beach alongside a boardwalk. A cruise visitor who is thinking about a car rental might do so for visits to the less-populated French side of the island, especially the quaint city of Marigot. If this is something you would like to see and enjoy, then, by all means, visit Maho beach for this once in a lifetime experience. Arrived on cruise ship having read the reviews and took the $7 water taxi as advised. More restaurants are in the packed resort areas. 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. St Maarten is Dutch and to the north the French side is called St Martin. 2. Here are 10 attractions near the cruise port to make planning easier for passengers. Always give yourself ample time for traffic, and theres always traffic in St.Maarten. Sea Palace Resort. It is reasonably private and not crowded, giving you ample time for relaxation and sunbathing. There were multiple ships in port so you could probably negotiate a better deal on a less busy day. Have a sizzling barbeque with family and friends. It is located right at the heart of Philipsburg. Maarten . Now, its a silent part of the busy beach leading to the cruise ship terminal, where tour operators await with open-air trucks to carry passengers to activities (USD cash accepted). But traffic outside of the Boardwalk and Front Street is often heavy. The chairs and umbrellas are $5 each. The overhead plane landing makes it one of the most popular beaches in St Maarten. St. Maarten is one of the most popular destinations for eastern and southern Caribbean cruises, so cruise visitors need to know that Great Bay Beach is one of the best beaches near the cruise port. I finally had to ask her to stop because my daughter was about to cry. The sunset of this destination is one of the most beautiful ones weve ever seen. Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Maho Beach is a bucket list item for most tourists visiting St. Martin. Guana Bay Beach is on the route to Philipsburg, making it easy for day tourists to take a detour and have fun at this little beach. house for rent with fenced in backyard fargo, nd, who died in avengers: endgame,
