With over 500 duty-free stores this must be absolute shoppers paradise. The buses depart at back street (one of the 2 main streets in Philipsburg). !as they posed for group photos. . Birds eye view of the real-life rainbow fish , Number 15 In the 17th century, both the Dutch and the French colonized St. Maarten. Kind of like never standing at the back end of a horse. Ask for specifications at the booth. The sky might have been blue by then, but the sea was ragingly choppy and the tide swept me off my feet several times before I could even think about getting further out into the water. - Wikipedia. Visit the Loterie Farm found on one side of Pic Paradis. February 18. Taxis you will see passengers lining up at the pier for taxis, by destination and fare type. St. Martin is one of the best shopping ports of the Caribbean. Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isnt particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. It does have a european attitude so there will be a number of topless bathers. How to Get to Philipsburg From the St. Maarten Cruise Port Cruise ships dock at the AC Wathey Pier & Port Facility around 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Philipsburg center. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). By clicking I Agree, you accept our privacy policy. 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. Underneath you will find your transportation options: The water taxi is a very popular way to go to the city centre of Philipsburg. See All St Martin / St Maarten Conversations, Please recommend an all inclusive 5* adult only resort. 2. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. 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. Try and get a seat along the railing! The first beach you will come across on the island is Great Bay beach which is readily accessible from the boardwalk. Its capital is Philipsburg a major commercial hub and a cruise port that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships of all sizes due to its great infrastructure and port facilities. The island has long been a top destination for cruisers and it looks like thats going to continue into the future! Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, which is divided between France and the Netherlands. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. They'll keep a running tab for you as long as you are there. I would recommend a taxi ride from cruise port to Mullet Bay instead of excursion. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Indirect flights to St Maartens airport can be sought by going via Paris or Amsterdam. Sint Maarten Bed and Breakfast; Sint Maarten Vacation Rentals; Sint Maarten Vacation Packages A spot of late afternoon blinding sunshine . http://www.yapta.com/search/results/?id=03735b347bad15f9770ef1e8a196df8c. Rome2rio makes travelling from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay easy. In my blog, I share with you my insider tips & knowledge and about cruise ports, shore excursions, cruise destinations, and crew life onboard a cruise ship! Good to know, ya know.). Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! - to help you get the most out of your next trip. The cruise ships often dock on the Dutch side near Philipsburg. The French side draw bridge will open at 8:15 A.M. Hopefully you will already have been at the airport one hour before the Dutch side bridge opens. 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. There are lots of beaches nearby. There are great sites to visit and memories to make. Enjoy The Beaches. Just make sure you keep the water on your left hand side walking to the town. Since travel rules and restrictions can change, make sure you double check whats required before you head to the airport! Round-trip transfers are the complete package, taking you to and from the airport. Shopping: at the cruise terminal or in townTransportation: 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. 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. It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. Port essentials with port maps, taxi prices, cruise terminal & water taxi info. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for Saint Martin. About 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico in the northeast part of the Caribbean lies St. Maarten, a cruise community favorite destination. Re: St Martin airport beach to cruise port. The cheapest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry which costs $20-$50 and takes 1h 10m. And even if it happens, the island has plenty of attractions which helps spread out the masses. 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. Philipsburg St. Maarten has established a cruise welcome center next to the cruise dock. 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. Ive already listed a few: Maho, Mullet, Cupecoy, Orient, Happy Bay, Grand-Case, and Pinel Island. 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. Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Philipsburg is located on the Dutch side of the island (Sint Maarten). For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Saint Martin. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. . . Welcome to the St. Maarten cruise port guide. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 10m. For more information about the latest travel restrictions or port updates, please check: https://portstmaarten.com. 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). Cancun Airport has four passenger terminals (total 62 gates) of . 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. Holland House Beach Hotel is one of the nearest hotels from the St Maarten cruise port, located right on Great Bay Beach promenade in downtown Philipsburg. The French route it is just too much travel time and distance. if your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Some (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The longer route will take about an hour BUT.no bridge wait time. Jetblue starts daily service next week from JFK chexk online there schedule for arrival and departure times . They are consistently winning the award since 2016. When you disembark from your ship, start walking towards the shops and look for the large Water Taxi sign on the left. However, of course, this is when there are most cruise liners docking and so more people. St. Maarten Two Islands Private Day TourTwo countries on one island for almost 400 years. Nowadays, the island reflects a blend of two cultures and mentalities that learned to live, work, and grow together. The island has a tropical, warm climate all year round. Your ship will dock on the Dutch side of the island at Philipsburg, where all large vessels such as cruise ships dock. Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier, in Dutch St. Maarten. 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. Its also a very beautiful place to have a wedding at. A constituency country controlled by the Dutch, St. Maarten occupies the southern half of an island whose northern half, St. Martin, is controlled by the French. It runs from top of Pic Paradis to the farm below. The roads were not meant to carry current traffic volumes, resulting slow driving times. This island is an extremely popular stopping point for cruise ships, and whenever we ported here there were at least three other ships parked up at the same time, although none of them were anywhere near full capacity. 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. 9. Both the Dutch (Sint Maarten) and French (Saint Martin) sides are beautiful and offer various sights and activities. It's an easy 20-minute walk into town, but water taxis also make the short trip, leaving from Captain Hodge Pier (signposted at the terminal). 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. Absolutely not. Chesterfields located closest to the pier, on the way to Philipsburg has a great view and pub fare, Lazy Lizard Beach Bar & Grill rated as the #1 restaurant in St. Maarten, this casual stop offers burgers, sandwiches, seafood and Johnny Cakes, Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar rated as the #1 bar in St. Maarten, offering fantastic cocktails in a fun atmosphere, Ital Shack super laid back, offers local, organic, vegan fare and fresh juices for a reasonable price, Burger Madness Amazing burgers with all the toppings you could imagine, located right on the beach. Required fields are marked *. Absolutely not. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port. There are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Airplane traffic is light (only one big plane when we were there), but Maho is still fun and the bars are up and running. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. 3. not as many planes to watch though as traffic at the airport is still somewhat slow. When we left the ship that morning the sky was overcast and there was drizzle all around; but the weather in the Caribbean can change in a matter of minutes. As previously mentioned, Mullet Bay was fantastic. (But its still pretty fun to be in the sea when a plane comes in to land.). The St. Maarten cruise terminal does not provide free wi-fi, but youll find that wifi is often included with a purchase at one of the cafes and restaurants at the cruise terminal. You might have already sensed from my description that this beach is not my kind of place. I hope my article gave you an insight into the best of St Maarten/Saint-Martin. Tour buses and taxi rank are located nearby to get there, you need to turn right and keep walking to the exit of the terminal area until you reach a small building housing a tourist information desk. However, due to the number of cruise visitors, US dollars are widely accepted. You are free to walk, but you can also take the water taxi or a regular taxi. No, there is not a beach within walking distance of the St. Maarten cruise port. . Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Saint Martin, Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Sint Maarten, Top of the art penthouse on the beach - 4000 sq. Currency: The official currency in St Maarten is the Antillean Guilder and the Euro depending on which side you are on. . There is a car rental facility as well at the St. Martin cruise terminal. Walk. The water taxi is wheelchair accessible. Here, you will find the Pinel Island Marine Trail, a designated snorkeling route teeming with marine life. Yes, the driving distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is 5 miles. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Philipsburg 8.8 km. The island has no human occupants, but has been inhabited in the past. 1 American Airlines flight in at 2:00pm - the rest prop planes. You can rent the ATV on your own, or you can book one of the off-road tours that will take you through the rugged terrain of the island and stop at the islands main landmarks. You cant miss it. le Tintamarre is a small island with an area of approximately 0.8km2. Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. Check out, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch. It is a large cruise facility that can accomodate several mega cruise ships. Creole Rock is a small island nestled in a protected marine reserve. Rental Car this can be a great way to see the island, especially if you have more than a group of 3 people. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor seating and beach lounges with umbrellas. Old Street in Philipsburg | Photo: Vacation St. Maarten/Facebook, How to Indulge At the Philipsburg, St. Maarten Cruise Port | Celebrity Cruises, Symphony of the Seas | Our first Royal Caribbean Cruise | Port Day St. Maarten, St Maarten Cruise Terminal Philipsburg Cruise Ship Port St Martin, How Much Are Drinks On Viking River Cruises, Where Are Norwegian Cruise Ships Registered, Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam, Can You See The Northern Lights On An Alaskan Cruise, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort- All Inclusive, What Is The Best Month To Take An Alaskan Cruise, Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico, Cruise Lines Departing From Mobile Alabama. Pbx: +1-721-542-0108 visitstmaarten @ shta.com The port offers plenty of shopping opportunities and access to the island's town and Great Bay Beach. The drive from the cruise port to Maho Beach is about 10 minutes. Also, AA airline flight departs at 10:30 am..can I make this flight? A scenic half-hour taxi ride from port is Marigot, the main town on the French side. That's Maho Beach, aka Airport Beach. . Great value shore excursions, prices lower than the cruise lines. One price will do you for the day and youll get a great view of the harbor. The northern part, measures 52 km2 / 20 m2, is French. Id really been expecting a Dutch island. Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. June 15, 2022 rey chavez distributor weekly specials rey chavez distributor weekly specials The Seabourn Pride docks at 8 am but now I'm thinking of simply flying to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It features a large pool, restaurants and large picnic-play grounds. The liquor is a rare combination of aged rum, sugar cane, and wild guava berries found in the central part of the island. Your email address will not be published. Anyone familiar with Villa Oyster Pearl and/or Dawn Beach? 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!!! It is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, and is a popular site for tourists and planewatchers, who visit the beach to watch aircraft on final approach landing at the airport, passing only a short distance above their heads. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. More 1 hour Free Cancellation From $9.00 Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to St Maarten Airport 86 Reply Jan 30th, 2010, 03:53 AM # 3 Barbara1 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 686 Likes: 0 Received 0. After you have bought your ticket you will receive a paper bracelet as proof of payment and you proceed to the pier. Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. This opportunity alone makes any St. Maarten shore excursion and trip incredibly fulfilling. One-way transfers are perfect for those who just want to get to their destination without worrying about how they'll get back. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status in Sint Maarten, please check government recommendations. Many, many thanks for all the expert help! Sailfish and marlin are popular during the summer months, while kingfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are highly sought after. The most famous of all the beaches on the island is Maho Bay Beach thanks to its proximity to the airport. A boat transfer only takes 30 minutes to get to the island. 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. Taxi fare from the cruise pier in Phillipsburg to Orient beach is about $30 + tip each way. I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. GOOD LUCK. To the original poster,I didn't mention the "bridge" on the "longer route" because it's daily opening is not a given as the boat traffic @ Sandy Ground is far less than the bridge on the shorter route (Simpson Bay) as I've gone through there days on end and it never opened.And chances are it will not open 12/27 IF you take that route.IF it does, the time open will be very short as compared to Simpson bay. . The only thing that separates the beach from the runway is a narrow tarmac road and a wire fence, on which signs are tacked, warning people to stay back because of blasts from the jets. . Even more encouraging news arrived a couple of weeks later when five cruise ships visited St Martin on Christmas and Boxing Day Marella and Independence of the Seas , Grandeur of the Seas, Azamara Quest and Jewel of the Seas . It is within sight of the ship, in the city centre and there are lots of facilities. You can book an excursion to Anguilla via your ship or local tour operators. Hi, the 27th is on a Saturday ---your docking time WILL BE KEY. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Find the tender platform right in the city centre of Philipsburg. Theres two more on the Dutch side you should visit, if you have the time, and at least 5 more on the French side. For over 350 years they have been living alongside one another on this small island. The cruise port is located on the French side of the island. The new year started with the return of Disney Cruises, Marella Celebration and Royal Caribbeans massive Harmony of the Seas on January 2. Wow, I think that is tight. I drive past (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Dr Wathey Pier, on a walking distance from Philipsburg, is a strategic hub for cruise vessels in the middle of the Caribbean. The zip line course at this farm dubbed the extreme fly zone shouldnt be missed. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Cruise for 9 nights departing in October 2023 | Cruise code departing from Boston . . I will be disembarking a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Leisure car rental service recently won the WTA awards as the best St. Maarten car rental company for 2020. Pinel Island can be reached via a short ferry trip across Cul de Sac as well. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14735143', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight depending upon many conditions at the airport. Coastal has some no-so-good reviews and that worries me. This is the most convenient beach for a cruiser not . Or even go deep-sea fishing, which is an option with Viator, a TripAdvisor company that I've used around the world. Want more tales from the Caribbean? Sint Maarten has several COVID-19 testing centers on the island and many of the hotels and resorts have sample collection services for getting tested upon your return home. Portland, OR. Built in 1787 by Will Blake, a sugar planter, it is stated to be the oldest structure on the island. This boutique-style property offers stylish rooms with either city of views across the Caribbean sea to the cruise terminal. Currently, we are unable to provide domestic travel restriction information for travelling within Saint Martin. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! The distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) and Port de Galisbay is 3 miles. There are water taxis, vehicles, trams, buses and even ATVs at the transport stand. They have not yet announced if they are going t o do that yet. Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. Allow at least 1/2 hour to get to the airport. and that is Christmas week, so it might even take longer. The cruise port was visited by 6,8 million cruise tourists in 2008-2009, 7,9M (2014-2015) and 1,5M (2015-2016). Rainclouds rarely stick around for long, and we were confident that by the time we reached the airplane beach it would have passed. (At the end nearest the car park is also, FYI, a public bathroom. You can access this beach by walking. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. For the latest travel status in Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88391878', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maho beach every day. Sint Maarten Tourism; Sint Maarten Hotels; Sint Maarten Bed and Breakfast. St Maartens cruise port is in the capital city- Philipsburg which has space for a whole load of cruise ships to dock at once. This was the first four ship day for St. Maartens 2018 season. Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Terminal Mobile Al. For those looking for a different kind of beauty, the Caribbeans finest butterfly farm and a guided local artisan tour are fine ways to spend the day. Some tours include beach time, so make sure you bring proper clothing. comes and goes as sxmlover says. In the sea, people swam and jumped in the swell whilst waiting for the next plane to land. See map above to see the exact location. There is widespread community transmission globally. Tour buses and a taxi rank are located nearby; to get there, you need to turn right and keep walking to the exit of the terminal area until you reach a small building housing a tourist information desk. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. Check out the St Maarten/St Martin boat and snorkeling tours, rel="sponsored nofollow noopener". The driest months are February and March, while the rainy season lasts from June to November. Ooh la la. The Dutch call their part of the island Sint Maarten and its capital is Philipsburg. Whenever a plane appeared, twinkling in the distance of the now completely vivid blue sky, the throngs would gather tighter together, all vying for the best spot. The nicest beaches in St. Maarten are Majo Beach, located at the end of the airport runway, and Orient Beach, located on the French side of the island. The fare is 2 to 3 US dollar. 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. . On St Martin, the question is not distance but driving time. Spending the day on the beach is usually high on the to-do list for travelers and there might not be a better island in the Caribbean to do just that. Amongst many others, ships of Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar have the island in their itineraries. A church in the vicinity contains a stone fascia with open-air side walls and a ceiling, which is the form of a hull of a ship. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88437021', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mullet Bay. For a cruise port that used to have as many as 6 cruise ships docked on weekdays before hurricane Irma, it may sound like a slow recovery. Both beach bars on the beach are up and running for some time. Anyone have a suggestion as to an airline flying to San Juan? St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. St Maarten/St Martin has two airports. How to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach in one day. There are a few popular snorkeling/scuba diving sites you should check out: Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch is one of the top-rated shore excursions suitable for cruise ship guests, and the return to the cruise ship is guaranteed. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. This is your ticket to the beach and back; the taxi will drop you in the car park close to Maho Beach, and taxi vans regularly take passengers back from the exact same spot. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. 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. For a slightly different vibe, and the opportunity to cook your own food on lava stones, head to the Palms Grill at the opposite end of the beach. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. With its European influences , St. Maarten is just begging to be explored from the land or sea via cruise ship. Total cost to go and come back from the Sint Maarten cruise terminal (Philipsburg) to "airplane beach" (Maho Beach): $5.00 USD Total time: approximately 30 minutes to go and 30 minutes to return FINAL TIP: Just make sure you return with lots of time before your ship leaves! 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.