Philipsburg St Maarten Netherlands Antilles cruise port schedule
Table Of Content
Probably the most crowded beach during the cruise season is Maho Beach watching the planes land and take off, never gets old. I myself have been frequenting the island since 1995 and still love watching the planes from Maho. Located in Philipsburg this shopping mecca is popular for jewelry shops.
Little Bay Beach
The bustling Philipsburg provides a fusion of shopping, dining, and historical sites, all within a short distance from the cruise port. Riding these buses offers a more authentic local experience and is much cheaper than other modes of transportation, with fares generally being only a few dollars per ride. The buses run on various routes, connecting major areas, attractions, and beaches, making them convenient for tourists wanting to visit popular spots. It's also a great way to interact with locals and experience the island's culture more directly. The boardwalk promenade in Philipsburg runs parallel to the beach and is lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants.
St. Martin’s Nature Reserve
This beach is around 11 km from the cruise port, a journey of about 20 minutes by taxi. Its popularity stems from the thrill of plane-spotting, making it a unique shore excursion option, and one of the most popular beaches in the world. Like all Caribbean islands, St. Maarten offers plenty of fun water activities. Most beach resorts have snorkeling gear for hire and rentals for water sports.
Discovering Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cruise passengers wondering if and when to visit St Marteen should know that all services were fully operational until one year ago. Yes, there are still signs of the devastating passage of hurricane Irma. These scars may last for a long time, but the island has been open for business and welcoming cruise visitors with its renowned hospitality as soon as possible.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Take the mountainside staircase up the steep hill to get to the fort at the top. It will all be worth it once you see the view of the island and its surrounding neighbors from the advantageous panoramic view afforded to you up there. Besides shopping and eating, the next best thing to do while on the French side is to hike up the green hills in its background.
Orient Bay Beach
THE BEST Cruises from Port Canaveral to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE BEST Cruises from Port Canaveral to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:46:44 GMT [source]
The water taxi runs almost continuously, is a large boat and is reasonably priced - offering a single fare ($5.00) or a day pass ($7.00) that allows as many trips as you want. Because the difference in price is minimal, most cruisers end up using the Water Taxi for both ways. The piers are fairly close to the exiting gates where your ID will be checked when returning to the ship. Cruise passengers with walking difficulties will find transportation (trolleys) between the gangway an the exit gates. Although the Editor has not been in Philipsburg since Irma, we are in touch with residents on the island. Numerous cruise visitors have confirmed that the Terminal is impeccable, the water taxi is fully functional, and most services on the island are operating as usual.
Great Bay Beach is a beautiful beach that stretches 2 miles (3.22 km) long that looks like a postcard from every angle. 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. The port of St. Maarten boasts two enormous docks that can accommodate up to seven cruise ships at once. The port village offers duty-free shops, many tourist opportunities, and a large staff to answer questions and facilitate many requests. Mullet Bay Beach is easily accessible from the cruise port and is a 30-minute drive. Facilities at the beach include a beach bar, loungers, and umbrellas for hire.
Little Bay Beach is in a half-moon-shaped cove on the other side of Fort Amsterdam from the Great Bay. Close to Philipsburg, the pretty beach has soft, white sand, calm waters, and plenty of facilities. Two hotels also front the beach, but the beach is open to the public. During the tour, you have the opportunity to sample a variety of rums, including their signature rums. Many of the specialty rums for sale are not available elsewhere on the island.
Great Bay Beach (Dutch Side)
You will see the distilling process up close, from fermenting and distilling to aging and bottling. Fort Amsterdam is a popular tourist attraction, a 10-minute taxi drive from the Cruise Pier. You can explore the fort’s ramparts and cannons and enjoy panoramic views of Philipsburg and the surrounding coastline. Exploring the attractions in St. Maarten is easy thanks to the excellent choice of taxis, water taxis, and buses. Hiring a car to give you more freedom to enjoy St. Maarten is also possible.
Air pressure in the helmet keeps water at shoulder height, allowing you to breathe normally. The popular beach has over a mile of fine sand, stunning turquoise waters, and a lively atmosphere. You can relax on a beach chair, paddleboard in the calm waters of Simpson Bay, or enjoy riding a jet ski. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to make your beach day enjoyable.
Maho Beach in St. Maarten is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Tourists flock to the beach to experience the thrill of watching planes land and take off at Princess Juliana International Airport. When planes take off, they blow people into the water—called the Maho Airplane Experience. In Marigot, the best place to try locally produced guavaberry rums is the Guavaberry Colombier Tradition on Rue de Hollande. In Philipsburg, you can stop at the Caribbean Liquor store near the pier or purchase rum within the cruise pier area. Unfortunately, the Guavaberry Emporium near the terminal has closed.
This Leeward island has been famously bisected into French and Dutch territories since 1648, and is referred to both as Saint Martin and Sint Maarten. In their respective capitals—Marigot and Philipsburg—there are ancient stone forts and candy-colored buildings lining winding streets. The Dutch side has a slightly larger population but is a bit smaller, at 34 square kilometers (13 square miles), versus the 53-square-kilometer (20-square-mile) Saint Martin. If you’re into water sports, this is a one of a kind attraction in the Caribbean, great fun! It requires steering with your bodymovements, if you have 2 people riding you must lean in unison. There are many beach bars located in Maho such as Sunset Beach Bar, Driftwood Boat Bar, and the new Sandbar Beach Bar.
Tobacco and alcohol, electronics and specially photo cameras are the best-buys but also jewelery and watches. Cruise passengers interested in shopping, should not miss the shops in Philipsburg. However, you will also find a number of good shops in the cruise terminal such as Little Switzerland, Diamonds International, Boolchands, Ballerina’s Jewelers or Effy. Last but not least, the cruise traveler will find a few nice shaded places to enjoy local drinks and flavors. Whether you like to beach bar hop or to grab a stool at a bar closeby to the cruise port, St. Maarteen is a great place to enjoy a frozen cocktail or local beer. Paddle through the calm waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon, spotting wildlife and mangrove forests.
Comments
Post a Comment