document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! . A scenic half-hour taxi ride from port is Marigot, the main town on the French side. Find the tender platform right in the city centre of Philipsburg. From the beach in Philipsburg you can see the ships in the distance. Most prices are clearly displayed in US dollars and most shops will have no problem accepting US dollars and will even have the change ready in US dollars. Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close. A-OO A-OO A-OO!! Locals will claim that its 37-square-mile island is the smallest in the world shared by two countries. 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. The most popular resorts in this area are Coralita Beach, Oyster Bay, and Dawn Beach. 2003-2021 AirportShuttles.com - All rights reserved. Rental Car this can be a great way to see the island, especially if you have more than a group of 3 people. There are a number of car rental locations near the port. . When you disembark from your ship, start walking towards the shops and look for the large Water Taxi sign on the left. 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. le Tintamarre is a small island with an area of approximately 0.8km2. Cupecoy Beach and Mullet Bay Beach are some popular choices among others. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. The sun was scorching hot and getting into the cool water melted away the crazy sweaty energy of the beach bar. 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. And lastly, retire ashore with sunset views from the dramatic cannons of Fort Amsterdam, finally grabbing a bite from the port-side ambiance of Chesterfields Restaurant & Bar. 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! Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. Cruise ships dock at the new cruise port (the AC Wathey Pier & Port Facility) located a 20 minute walk from the downtown area of Philipsburg. If you are going from the Dutch into French side and back there is no border control or anything like that. Source: Viator.com, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch, St Maarten/Saint Martin off-road island tours are. - Wikipedia. Wait, what? You are free to walk, but you can also take the water taxi or a regular taxi. 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. Yes, the driving distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is 5 miles. 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. Distance: 4 km Duration: 1h 10m What companies run services between St Maarten Airport (SXM), Sint Maarten and Marigot, Saint Martin? One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. Rodael ingored my email and car booking request made from their website. Distance to Cruise Port: 0.9 mile Distance from Airport: 23 minutes. St Maarten/St Martin has two airports. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88437021', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mullet Bay. Absolutely not. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Roundtrip watertaxi tickets from the St. Maarten cruise port to Philipsburg costs: Adults: 7 US dollars Crew member: 3 US dollars Children under 3 years old: Free You can pay cash in US dollar or with credit card. 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. Its just not a good idea. And even if it happens, the island has plenty of attractions which helps spread out the masses. Try and get a seat along the railing! There is a large taxi stand at the cruise terminal in St. Maarten. Both the Dutch side and French side of the island have so much to offer in the way of beaches. 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. There's no physical border or customs checkpoint between the two sides. 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The Dutch call their part of the island Sint Maarten and its capital is Philipsburg. Other popular beaches are not within walking distance, but if you are willing to take a taxi we can recommend Dawn beach, Mullet Bay Beach or Orient Beach. At its Great Bay is the Port of St. Maarten, a main gateway for experiencing the few blocks of historic city nearby. Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. As previously mentioned, Mullet Bay was fantastic. Cookie Policy - St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Your ship will dock on the Dutch side of the island at Philipsburg, where all large vessels such as cruise ships dock. I will be disembarking a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. The cutest little streets youll ever want to explore are here, plus white sand beaches that bow to the more liberal European culture. . You might also catch a glimpse of sea turtles and stingrays during your snorkeling adventure. St. Martin is great for any tourist! 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. Finally we decided on a spot at the very far end, clear of the runway but close enough that we could make a run for it if we desperately wanted to be under the pathway of a jumbo jet. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. Book a shared arrival transfer from Princess Juliana International Airport to your hotel, and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip in St Maarten, or St Martin. For more information about the latest travel restrictions or port updates, please check: https://portstmaarten.com. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Explore St Maarten/St Martin sightseeing tours and activities. Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island, and Pinel Island are some top choices off the coast of St. Maarten. When cruise ships return to the docks of Philipsburg this summer, Sint Maarten is going to be ready. To be able to handle the world's largest cruise vessels , Port San Juan invested ~USD 8 million in building a 3rd dock. Although gutted by the French in the late 1790s, it was rebuilt by the British and today has been fully restored, with its kitchen complex, stables and slave quarters intact. February 18. Since travel rules and restrictions can change, make sure you double check whats required before you head to the airport! . For the most part, we stayed out of the crowds but still appreciated the landings at an angle. These taxis are more like minivans, and its likely that youll share a ride with other passengers or crew in order to fill up the vehicle. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 2.4 km/1.5 milesaway from the city center. Tour guides usually wait for cruise ship passengers here, but make sure you come on time because this area can be extremely busy, and might be challenging to find your tour meeting place.google.com/maps/. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. The Dutch side is called Sint Maarten (St Maarten) and occupies the southern half of the island. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. . You did not say what time the ship arrives however once you are in the taxi it is a 30 minute ride +/- depending upon traffic conditions which may or may not add another 15-20 minutes to your ride. . The road distance is 5 miles. . The fastest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry. However, the Water Taxi is $7 round trip and a short 5-10 minute water ride to a beach. Reply Jan 30th, 2010, 03:53 AM # 3 Barbara1 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 686 Likes: 0 Received 0. Pay attention to the signs, pals! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88299383', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ships have that as an excursion it's the sunset beach bar . Add it! 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. The Dutch later built Fort Amsterdam as a military outpost in Philipsburg for protection from intruders. Go beyond Paris, the Alps, the Loire chateaux and the French Riviera. The French call this part of the island Saint Martin and they call their main city Marigot. Both can be found on the French side of the island and are a little more laid back than some of the islands other beaches. 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 are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. However, if you fancy more private and secluded beaches, you can charter a boat to the nearby island of Anguilla. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, Can you walk from the cruise ship docking port the the famous airport. 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. Philipsburg St. Maarten has established a cruise welcome center next to the cruise dock. 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. There is no direct connection from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Marigot, Saint Martin. Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. For the latest travel status in Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. It takes approximately 1h 10m to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay, including transfers. There is no direct connection from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. We dont even recommend taking your passport. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. The island has no human occupants, but has been inhabited in the past. Kids 3 and under are free and it is cheaper than taking a cab if you wish to go downtown for shopping. Make sure to take some home with you. . The fare is 2 to 3 US dollar. However, of course, this is when there are most cruise liners docking and so more people. Any content or photos on this website are copyright protected and cannot be used for commercial purposes. 9. Round-trip transfers are the complete package, taking you to and from the airport. Here, you will find the Pinel Island Marine Trail, a designated snorkeling route teeming with marine life. I would recommend a taxi ride from cruise port to Mullet Bay instead of excursion. Read Also: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico. But whilst the Silver Wind was still in port, another 3 ships docked in St Maarten Regal Princess, Eurodam and Anthem of the Seas. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Its about a half-hour walk to get from the Philipsburg pier to the center of town. The roads were not meant to carry current traffic volumes, resulting slow driving times. The waters surrounding St. Maarten make for some great snorkeling adventures. My favorite is the guava berry colada. Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. Some of these are: Note: Make sure you have a valid drivers license that complies with the tour operators policies.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',132,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-132{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Wow, I think that is tight. The rusting cannons of Fort Amsterdam guard the many cruise ships that make a port of call in 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. St. Maarten's cruise port is within an easy 5 to 10 minute walking distance to Philipsburg. There is widespread community transmission globally. 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. The walk is 100-200 meters long , and in case you have difficulty in walking, there is a small trolley that can take you there for free. The bus is only $2 per person and will drop you off in the parking lot. See St Maarten cruise port on Google maps, Check out St Maarten rent-a-car deals and offers, See the list of the best Philipsburg tours, 3. Want more tales from the Caribbean? Do you have a special shop, museum, attraction or tour you would like to share? 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. . Visit the Loterie farm, St. Maarten zoo, the Butterfly farm or be blown away at one of the worlds most dangerous airports for example. I had previously had an image of a fairly peaceful wide open white sandy paradise with crystal clear water, palm trees, and every now and again, an airplane zooming low overhead. Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isnt particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. The drive from the cruise port to Maho Beach is about 10 minutes. The Amsterdam of the Caribbean It is also an option to walk from the cruise terminal to Philipsburg city center, but take in mind it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. There are water taxis, vehicles, trams, buses and even ATVs at the transport stand. Distance to Cruise Port: 8.7 miles Distance from Airport: 2 minutes. However, you must leave the airport (which requires going through immigration) and take a cab to get to the ferry port . All rights reserved. . The northern part, measures 52 km2 / 20 m2, is French. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status within Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor seating and beach lounges with umbrellas. Prices start at $100USD per night. Distance to Cruise Port: 2.5 miles Distance from Airport: 18 minutes. Airport: St Maartens airport is called St Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport. The longer route will take about an hour BUT.no bridge wait time. Pinel Island can be reached via a short ferry trip across Cul de Sac as well. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Many more are coming and cruise life is getting back to normal. The information provided by this website is subject to change and therefore information can be inaccurate. 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. See details and book. Adults (16+) Children (2-15) A boat transfer only takes 30 minutes to get to the island. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.St Maarten cruise terminal. This is clearly a popular holiday destination, whether for people travelling only to Sint Maarten, or cruise passengers and crew like me and my pal Rachel; but I was still surprised by how Americanised the whole place felt. Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten. Our St. Maarten tours and excursions do not stop there, as many of our shore tours include traveling to the French-controlled portion of the island to experience both paradise destinations by visiting two countries in one day. . 1 mile from the cruise terminal. In total there are thirteen beaches to visit during your cruise stay. For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Saint Martin. . Re: St Martin airport beach to cruise port. Currently, we are unable to provide travel restriction information for leaving Sint Maarten. At its Great Bay is the Port of St. Maarten, a main gateway for experiencing the few blocks of historic city nearby. If you are planning to go to the beach than youll find that most beach beds nowadays come with wi-fi access. 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. The rusting cannons of Fort Amsterdam guard the many cruise ships that make a port of call in St. Maarten. It is a beautiful resort dotted with beautiful wooden cabanas hidden among the trees. how to change chrome to desktop mode in mobile. One price will do you for the day and youll get a great view of the harbor. Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. Wallblake House is a heritage plantation house and museum annex in The Valley, Anguilla in the northeastern Caribbean. You can pick up a taxi (or bus) at the roundabout to take you back as well. This boutique-style property offers stylish rooms with either city of views across the Caribbean sea to the cruise terminal. It makes for a cool picture, but for those looking to relax in solitude, this isnt the beach for you. 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). Barcelona airport from cruise ship in 3 hours ? My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! See map above for its exact location. Rainclouds rarely stick around for long, and we were confident that by the time we reached the airplane beach it would have passed. 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. TAke a cab and you will have time to spare. See All St Martin / St Maarten Conversations, Please recommend an all inclusive 5* adult only resort. 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. Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isn't particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. This price is very reasonable and affordable for everyone. 1h 34m. Required fields are marked *. Walk 1h 45m. Sailfish and marlin are popular during the summer months, while kingfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are highly sought after. Some tours include beach time, so make sure you bring proper clothing. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14743129', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise port. It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a couple of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. In the sea, people swam and jumped in the swell whilst waiting for the next plane to land. The French side is called Saint Martin (St Martin). 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. 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. Water Taxi a great way to get to downtown Philipsburg for a low cost. Best Philipsburg, St. Maarten excursions. The port facilities for cruises to St. Maarten offer helpful amenities like ATMs, shops, a tourist information desk, taxi and rental car information, and restaurants if youre hungry right when you get off the cruise ship. 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. St Maarten the Eastern Caribbean pearl boasting stunning beaches, lush tropical nature, and kind, friendly residents is an island of diversities! Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin You can book an excursion to Anguilla via your ship or local tour operators. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Neither was ever destroyed. Currency: The official currency in St Maarten is the Antillean Guilder and the Euro depending on which side you are on. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status in Sint Maarten, please check government recommendations. Thats right, the end of the runway sits along the edge of the water and landing planes swoop down directly overhead. Here, youll also find a tourist information desk and tour booths offering tours and car rentals, as well as a shore excursion meeting place (always double-check your tour ticket, though). And best of all the taxi charges are standardized by the government. 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. Traffic is crazy that time of year. Now, any day can be a 12K kind of day. Birds eye view of the real-life rainbow fish , Number 15 Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Port Norfolk Virginia. Whether you book a shore excursion with the cruise line, a third party vendor, or a local tour operator, there are numerous locations in the area to spot a variety of marine life. It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. They are consistently winning the award since 2016. There are several options for eating and drinking at Maho Beach, and when we arrived the bars and restaurants were packed full of mostly American tourists who had been sheltering from the rain. Instead, try off the beaten path gems like Happy Bay Beach or nearby Friars Bay Beach. Enjoy The Beaches. Resort Beach DayFor guests not wishing to make the trek to the French side of the island, there's su. 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. This is where you want to take a large group of friends or family for a fun hangout. It will likely take half an hour from Philipsburg to Marigot, but one time it took us closer to an hour. (~2,5 hours drive distance). If youre looking for more of an adventure, there are kayak, paddleboard and even jet ski rentals available at several locations in Philipsburg.