Nicknamed: the Friendly Island
We are in the North East of the Caribbean and 190 miles east of Puerto Rico. This island is divided in a 40% southern part owned by the Kingdom of Netherlands and a 60% northern of the French Republic. The Dutch part counts over 40,000 of population.
Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten and is also the main city on the island. It has two main streets, Front Street (Voorstraat) and Back Street (Achterstraat). They are connected by numerous streets always full of people and mainly full of duty-free shops, cafes and courtyards overflowing with flowers.
Sint Maarten has unusual scenery, located on a small stretch of land between Great Bay, on the south coast, and the Great Salt Pond. It’s the reference port for hundreds of many ships, which satisfies the main need of passengers who arrive ashore either to enjoy nature or to shop. That’s why it became one of the busiest port of the Caribbean.
What to see & what to do
Do not miss the beaches of St. Maarten starting from Great Bay, a half-mile sand crescent in front of Philipsburg. Beyond the promontory of Fort Amsterdam, the Dutch fortress of 1630 with a beautiful display of historical finds, you can follow the coast by car and reach Maho Beach. This is one of the most famous one in the world, that probably you have seen in picture before. Looking at a Boeing 747 landing at the beach, it only happens once. Last but not least, one of the best panorama can be enjoyed at the Rockland Estate with trilling zip line and cable car adventures.
Beaches
Anse Marcel Beach
30 min car from the cruise port. If you already know the Island and you wanna discover a new secluded and remarkable spot, Happy Bay Beach is definitely the place to visit. In general if you like to go away from the crowd or you are in search of a romantic day, this is the one. A french restaurant is available here, where food and service are usually appreciated. On the north side is also good for snorkeling and turtles are also spotted sometimes.
Cupecoy Bay Beach
35 min by car form the cruise port. Following along the coast towards the west end of the Dutch Sint Maarten, Cupecoy Bay reserves a set of 3 beaches, surrounded by limestone cliffs. The entrance is for free and parking places and beach bars are available. The coastline here is home to a multitude of colorful reef fishes, making the place a nice one for snorkel.
Great Bay Beach
10 min walk from the cruise port. This beach is the closest to the cruise port, really comfortable with all the amenities needed. Lots of bars, ice cream shops and restaurants are all along the boardwalk. It's practically in the downtown of Philipsburg, so in the very center of the shopping district as well.
Maho Beach
30 min by car from the Cruise Port. Maho Beach is located just at the bottom of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. The crowd here constantly gathers to watch airplanes landing, passing very close above their head. The enchanting beach and the crystal clear sea make Maho an ideal place to spend fun and relaxing days. You can relax with a drink at the Sunset Beach Bar, watching the planes hover above and observe the fantastic colors of the ocean.
Mullet Bay Beach
30 min car from the cruise port. Mullet Beach is the most famous beach of the island, after the popular Maho Beach for its airplane landing experience. But this one is just less crowded and more equipped, thus the perfect place for a day at the beach to enjoy the crystal clear Caribbean water. Sun chairs and umbrellas are for rent at reasonable price. On the northern-end of the beach (right-side looking at the sea), going along the rocks it's a nice place for snorkeling.
Orient Bay Beach
20 min by car from the cruise port. Located on the north-east, French side of the island, this is a long beach with a fee to enter the facility. Plenty of sun chairs and umbrella to rent for a reasonable price. This is a nice place to relax, sun tan, swim and enjoy water sports. The very end is a nude beach, but for the majority is family friendly.
Simpson Bay Beach
35 min by car from the Cruise Port. Simpson Bay is located along one side of the Princess Juliana International Airport and a small but colorful fishing village. It is not in a particularly developed position but a causeway was built a few years ago, which has increased the attractiveness of the lagoon. The beach itself is about three kilometers long and the west beach is fairly quiet; an ideal place to relax and enjoy vacation days for families who want to avoid significant crowds.
Park & Landmarks
Seaside Nature Park
15 Min by car from the Cruise Port. The Seaside Nature Park crosses a beautiful natural coast and combines it with kilometers of paths that wind in and out of the wonderful forest. Here guests can tour, swim on the beach or even ride horses along the miles of trails and even across the water. Horse riding is the main theme of this natural park, however it will be possible to go hiking, kayaking, camping and children's birthday parties are also optional activities.
Sentry Hill adventure park
This park is offering three different adventures: the Flying Dutchman, Schooner Ride & Canopy Zip Line. The panoramic view is spectacular from here. That's why this experience is something different and remarkable. If you already enjoyed your beach day somewhere else during your cruise, consider this as a valid option when coming in Sint Maarten. You won't be disappointed.
Snorkelling
Cupecoy Bay Beach
35 min by car form the cruise port. Following along the coast towards the west end of the Dutch Sint Maarten, Cupecoy Bay reserves a set of 3 beaches, surrounded by limestone cliffs. The entrance is for free and parking places and beach bars are available. The coastline here is home to a multitude of colorful reef fishes, making the place a nice one for snorkel.
Mullet Bay Beach
30 min car from the cruise port. Mullet Beach is the most famous beach of the island, after the popular Maho Beach for its airplane landing experience. But this one is just less crowded and more equipped, thus the perfect place for a day at the beach to enjoy the crystal clear Caribbean water. Sun chairs and umbrellas are for rent at reasonable price. On the northern-end of the beach (right-side looking at the sea), going along the rocks it's a nice place for snorkeling.
Animal Encounter
Seaside Nature Park
15 Min by car from the Cruise Port. The Seaside Nature Park crosses a beautiful natural coast and combines it with kilometers of paths that wind in and out of the wonderful forest. Here guests can tour, swim on the beach or even ride horses along the miles of trails and even across the water. Horse riding is the main theme of this natural park, however it will be possible to go hiking, kayaking, camping and children's birthday parties are also optional activities.
Family
Seaside Nature Park
15 Min by car from the Cruise Port. The Seaside Nature Park crosses a beautiful natural coast and combines it with kilometers of paths that wind in and out of the wonderful forest. Here guests can tour, swim on the beach or even ride horses along the miles of trails and even across the water. Horse riding is the main theme of this natural park, however it will be possible to go hiking, kayaking, camping and children's birthday parties are also optional activities.
Sentry Hill adventure park
This park is offering three different adventures: the Flying Dutchman, Schooner Ride & Canopy Zip Line. The panoramic view is spectacular from here. That's why this experience is something different and remarkable. If you already enjoyed your beach day somewhere else during your cruise, consider this as a valid option when coming in Sint Maarten. You won't be disappointed.
Simpson Bay Beach
35 min by car from the Cruise Port. Simpson Bay is located along one side of the Princess Juliana International Airport and a small but colorful fishing village. It is not in a particularly developed position but a causeway was built a few years ago, which has increased the attractiveness of the lagoon. The beach itself is about three kilometers long and the west beach is fairly quiet; an ideal place to relax and enjoy vacation days for families who want to avoid significant crowds.
Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
10 min walk from the cruise port. This beautiful museum on the 1st floor was born from an idea by Nick Maley, whose role in creating Yoda's fame in Star Wars earned him the nice nickname "That Yoda Guy". A substantial amount of rotating film memorabilia can be found which may include Han Solo frozen in carbonite, celebrity life films from Marlon Brando to Michael Jackson and a Yoda robotic puppet alongside photos, props, scripts, vintage posters, storyboards.
History & Culture
Fort Amsterdam Philipsburg
10 min by car from the cruise port. after living the car, is just a little walk from Divi Beach Resort. This Fort is an historic fort located on top of the hill between Great Bay and Little Bay. So it rise above the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. It is from 1631, when it was built serving as defense of the colonial port. But just after two years from the construction, it was captured by Spanish. Not much of the original fort is still visible, but still worth a visit.
Fort St. Louis Marigot
Fort Saint-Louis was built on top of Marigot Bay, back during the reign of King Louis XVI in 1789. Now just a ruin is left, but it reserves a wide view consisting of Marigot, Simpson Bay lagoon, Simpson Bay and Anguilla. If visiting Marigot, this is definitely to check out. Mind that going up take a walk for easy hikers, going down is blissful.
Methodist Church
Located in the popular Front Street in Sint Maarten, it’s a 2-storied wood shingled building with neat white shutters. This is the first Methodist Church on the island, dating to 1851.
The Sint Maarten's Museum
10 min by walk from the Cruise Port. This very little museum is free of charge and it's maintained by volunteers. At the entrance you will be introduced to the history of the island by the supervisors, providing glimpses of history, geology, marine biology and anthropology. A small shop is available to bring home some souvenirs. Donation are well accepted as well.
Walking
Boardwalk Philipsburg
10 min walk from the cruise port. This boardwalk is within easy reach from the port and has access to anything you may like for a day visit. The beach of Great Bay, with the possibility to rent sun chairs and umbrella to relax. Walking around to enjoy an ice cream while checking out shops. In fact the famous front street, is just beside the boardwalk.
Marigot Town
25 min from the cruise port. Marigot is the French capital of Saint Martin, the French side of the island. It's a picturesque village where the French Riviera spirit is mixed with a Caribbean twist. Palm trees, cafes, restaurant and the yacht marina make this place pleasant to walk around and eventually do some shopping. It can be alternated with a visit in Philipsburg on the Dutch side, if you are not a beach lover and you like to visit more towns in once. In one day visit, it's still manageable.
Shopping
Front Street Philipsburg
10 min walk from the cruise port. We are in the downtown of the Dutch capital, Philipsburg. Walking around and visiting shops is a must here. In fact there are lots of souvenir stores, jewelries, electronics and great clothing stores. Downtown it's also packed of restaurants and bars of any kind. It's beside the Great Bay Beach, so it becomes really accessible for a full day of beach and shopping.
Philipsburg Cruise Terminal
This is a well organized facility with lots of shops right in front of the pier. If you have very little time to enjoy outside, give it a try.
Best cruise deals: (Cruises are still suspended till 2021)
MSC Crociere
Departing from: Fort De France, Pointe a Pitre.
Royal Caribbean
Departing from: San Juan, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Baltimore, Cape Liberty, Port Canaveral.
Carnival Cruise Line
Departing from: Miami, Port Canaveral, New York, Charleston, Galveston, Baltimore, Barbados, Barcelona.
Celebrity Cruises
Departing from: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, San Juan, Boston, Tampa.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Departing from: Miami, Port Canaveral, San Juan, New York.
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