3. . In St. Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island, the official currency is the antillean guilder. Nowadays, the island reflects a blend of two cultures and mentalities that learned to live, work, and grow together. Walk. 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The restaurants and bars are huddled at opposite ends of Maho Beach, although the entire thing is so small that it only takes about ten minutes to walk from one end to the other. Some (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From the deck of your ship you will be able to see this pier (longer pier with red rooftop). Leisure Car rental provides clean and well-maintained vehicles in all categories. The fastest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry. Whether you are coming for the first time or you have already been, make sure you plan your day ahead to maximize your stay in this amazing port of call. For over 350 years they have been living alongside one another on this small island. With over 500 duty-free stores this must be absolute shoppers paradise. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Port de Galisbay. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you're looking for a beach day in St. Maarten during your Caribbean cruise, one of the best beaches in St Maarten to consider is this one right here. The public ferry leaves from the port of Marigot on St. Martin (the French side of the island), while SXM Airport is on St. Maarten (the Dutch side). But eventually the tide came in so close that there was nothing else for it but to pack up and move on. Plenty of crew from our ship had decided to visit that day as well, and we passed about thirty galley guys and their supervisor yelling GALLEY GALLEY GALLEY!!! Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. The zip line course at this farm dubbed the extreme fly zone shouldnt be missed. GOOD LUCK. As part of the islands COVID-19 response, all travelers to the island by air must complete a mandatory electronic health authorization application or they will not be able to board their flight. With more than 30 unique beaches to choose from, the island offers no shortage of places to kick back and relax with your toes in the sand and a cold drink in hand. Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. In the 17th century, both the Dutch and the French colonized St. Maarten. It is a beautiful resort dotted with beautiful wooden cabanas hidden among the trees. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There are a few shops in the new cruise terminal. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 3km from the island of Saint Martin, and is administered as part of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. Each airplane came in so low over the sand that it felt as if you could almost reach out and touch them as they rumbled onwards to the tarmac across the road. St Maarten / St Martin has for decades been a popular port of call for cruise passengers. The most popular resorts in this area are Coralita Beach, Oyster Bay, and Dawn Beach. However, you must leave the airport (which requires going through immigration) and take a cab to get to the ferry port . See All St Martin / St Maarten Conversations, Please recommend an all inclusive 5* adult only resort. Before I share with you the best things to do in Philipsburg, I invite you to subscribe below and get my exclusive, insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE! ', 'How much should I expect to pay? For $7, you can get an all day pass for the water taxi that leaves right near where the cruise ships dock. Check out, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. Marigot to Grand Case should take 15 minutes, but here as well it can sometimes take longer. Steve D the beach is back. It is a large cruise facility that can accomodate several mega cruise ships. The Dr Wathey Pier, on a walking distance from Philipsburg, is a strategic hub for cruise vessels in the middle of the Caribbean. There are plenty of beachside chair and umbrella rental services for a relaxing day watching the turquoise waters of the bay lap against the sand. . The walk is 100-200 meters long (depending on the location of your cruise ships dock), and in case you have difficulty in walking, there is a small trolley that can take you there for free. Buy a ticket for the water taxi at the St Maarten cruise terminal. The tide was in so close that there wasnt a lot of free sand space at all- although Im told theres not a drastic difference between high and low tide at Maho. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. Enjoy The Beaches. Notify the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Get around town by utilizing either the Philipsburg Ferry Terminal down the street, or a modest bus line whose only downfall is waiting on a lax schedule. Shopping: at the cruise terminal or in town Transportation: Taxis at the cruise terminal Watertaxi available to get you from the cruise terminal to town Beach: Great Bay Beach is the main beach in town. Indirect flights to St Maartens airport can be sought by going via Paris or Amsterdam. But dont let the facts get in the way of enjoying this enticing cruise destination that goes by the name of Saint-Martin on the northern French side and Sint Maarten on the southern Dutch side. Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. It's famous because if you're there at the right time, and if you've got the right spot on the beach, planes will fly . It will likely take half an hour from Philipsburg to Marigot, but one time it took us closer to an hour. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14741495', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise personel and they will make sure you make your connection at the airport. You can access this beach by walking. Everyday Im hustlin We went to a beach just past the airport call Mullet Bay - if you want you can actually walk to runway to watch landings - for us, we skipped it because the only flights in / out were small inter-island planes. For more information about the latest travel restrictions or port updates, please check: Also find all detailed information about cruise port St. Maarten and what to see and do underneath. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14734771', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship on Dec. 27th, flying to Dallas. This opportunity alone makes any St. Maarten shore excursion and trip incredibly fulfilling. It is right in town at the main boulevard. Cab was $9us each way per person - they fill a van with a bunch of people (there was 13 of us that caught the same taxi - 11 from the UK and my wife and I) - and they will arrange a time to come back and pick you up (it is about a 30 min drive, so plan return time accordingly). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88299225', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship landing in St Martin on 16th Jan 2018. It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. Because of this vibrant but peaceful history the island shows two beautiful and diverse faces and personalities. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14754404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Juan.spend the night at the airport then flying AA direct to Dallas on Dec. 28th. Sorry, that would be a .2-acre island governed by Norway and Sweden. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for Saint Martin. The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. Philipsburg is located on the Dutch side of the island (Sint Maarten). . Should I visit Marigot on the french side or just spend time on the Dutch side for shopping and maybe a little beach time? Take into account that the walk to the water taxi pier can be about a 10 minute walk depending on where your ship is docked. Best time to visit: As with most Caribbean islands the best time to visit is between the months of November to March as this is when the weather is the driest. You can book an excursion to Anguilla via your ship or local tour operators. A boat transfer only takes 30 minutes to get to the island. For more packing tips, check out my article. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88390607', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maho beach was washed away by hurricane Irma and all that is left is rock - and the bar at the end of the beach is gone - completely destroyed. Traffic is crazy that time of year. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status in Sint Maarten, please check government recommendations. Creole Rock is a small island nestled in a protected marine reserve. Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Allow at least 1/2 hour to get to the airport. and that is Christmas week, so it might even take longer. AA has (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Alow more time to return as traffic tends to back-up coming into Phillipsburg. 5. Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Terminal Mobile Al. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Add it! Just watch the video below filmed on January 11, 2017. The French side is called Saint Martin (St Martin). One-way transfers are perfect for those who just want to get to their destination without worrying about how they'll get back. Try and get a seat along the railing! Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isn't particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. . Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Just visited Dec 26th - was told by multiple people that Maho beach was washed away by hurricane Irma and all that is left is rock - and the bar at the end of the beach is gone - completely destroyed. One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port. The best way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay without a car is to ferry which takes 1h 10m and costs $20-$50. There is a large taxi stand at the cruise terminal in St. Maarten. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Philipsburg: Awarded Cruise Harbor. Aside from this fact, the island has lots of sights to offer. It's perhaps a 15- to 20-minute drive (sometimes more if the traffic is really bad). There were so many people that the waitstaff were ran off their feet, carrying gigantic trays from table to table and struggling to keep up with all the orders. The port is a popular cruise-ship stop. The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. About 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico in the northeast part of the Caribbean lies St. Maarten, a cruise community favorite destination. Along the south shore of Saint-Martin Island, the city of Philipsburg is an oasis of the Caribbean and a major connector for the neighboring island of Anguilla. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Popular landmarks include the island heritage of Saint Maarten Museum, home to views of traditional Arawak artifacts ranging from poetry to photography, attached the nearby Guavaberry Emporium offers views of the islands famed tradition of alcohol making. Ooh la la. Wow, I think that is tight. It occupies the northern part of the island, and the capital is Marigot, a charming town known for its vibrant markets and beautiful beaches, dominated by Fort St. Louis, the 18th-century military fort offering amazing panoramic views of the island.var cid='2861769772';var pid='ca-pub-7965674744033396';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} Rome2rio makes travelling from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay easy. We are looking to go to the beach to watch the planes land. In 2017 a woman from New Zealand was killed when she was thrown backwards by a jet blast from a Caribbean Airlines flight which was taking off. Sailfish and marlin are popular during the summer months, while kingfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are highly sought after. 4. Enjoy The Beaches. Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. For something more sober-minded, walk through historic landmarks like The Salt Pickers, located along the north end of the citys famed Great Salt Pond and doubling as a tranquil prelude to the relaxed ambiance of Pond Island. The Seabourn Pride docks at 8 am but now I'm thinking of simply flying to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Portland, OR. Barcelona airport from cruise ship in 3 hours ? The cruise ships often dock on the Dutch side near Philipsburg. Large dock and cruise terminal available: 1 mile from Philipsburg Tender dock available right in town. But whilst the Silver Wind was still in port, another 3 ships docked in St Maarten Regal Princess, Eurodam and Anthem of the Seas. Wait, what? Amongst many others, ships of Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar have the island in their itineraries. That was very silly of me. how to change chrome to desktop mode in mobile. ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true}); Despite the occasional conflicts they had in history, French and Dutch nations have lived together on this tiny piece of land for over three centuries. For more information about COVID-19 protocols, please visit www.stmaartenupdates.com. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. To start with, you will enjoy docking at St. Maarten as tendering is not necessary. Unlike the not-so-long-ago days of haggling a price with your taxi driver, prices are set, and after paying for your return taxi, youll be given a wrist band in the style of a package holiday. You are free to walk, but you can also take the water taxi or a regular taxi. Topless sunbathing is common on the far side of Orient Beach, and beyond Pedros restaurant, currently being rebuilt, is a nudist colony. Related Post:Best Snorkel Locations in the Caribbean. It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. St. Maarten Two Islands Private Day TourTwo countries on one island for almost 400 years. To get around the island you will need a vehicle and luckily transport is readily available at the end of the short pier. . Upon getting off the ship, a hundred meters further, youll spot Harbour Point Village a lively area full of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, market stalls, bars, and a restaurant. Below is the list of the main Philipsburg attractions: See the list of the best Philipsburg toursif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0'); rel="sponsored nofollow noopener", Check out St Maarten/St Martin beach tours and activities.