St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide: How to Spend One Perfect Day in Port

Glenn Sunnquist

2 days ago

3 min read

St. Maarten is two countries on one small island: the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, and the French side, Saint-Martin. In a single port day you can shop duty-free, watch jets land over a beach, and have lunch in a French seaside town.

Here's how to plan it.

Arriving at the St. Maarten cruise port

Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility on Great Bay, about a mile from downtown Philipsburg on the Dutch side. Harbour Point Village, right at the pier, has shops, bars and restaurants.

Downtown, Front Street and Great Bay Beach are an easy walk or a short water taxi ride away. On very busy days, some ships may tender passengers into Philipsburg instead.

Getting around

Option	Best for	What to know
Water taxi	Downtown Philipsburg, Great Bay Beach	Runs from beside the pier to the boardwalk and Captain Hodge Pier. A quick, scenic ride; round-trip tickets are usually available.
Walking	Downtown and Great Bay Beach	About 15 to 20 minutes along the harbor from the port gates.
Taxi	Maho Beach, Orient Bay, Marigot	Taxi stands sit near the port. Confirm the fare first, and whether it's per person.
Excursion	Island tours, catamarans	An easy way to see both sides of the island with return timing included.

The best things to do in St. Maarten

Shop and stroll in Philipsburg

Front Street runs parallel to Great Bay Beach and is lined with duty-free jewelers, boutiques and Caribbean craft shops. The beachfront boardwalk behind it is full of bars and restaurants with views of the ships.

Watch the planes at Maho Beach

Maho Beach sits at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport, and big jets fly low overhead just before landing. It's one of the most famous sights in the Caribbean. Stay well back from the airport fence: jet blast is powerful, and warning signs are posted for a reason.

Cross to the French side

Orient Bay: a long, beautiful beach on the French side with stylish beach clubs and watersports
Marigot: the French capital, with a waterfront market, cafes and Fort Louis overlooking the harbor
Island tour: many tours combine Maho, Marigot and Orient Bay in one loop

Get out on the water

Catamaran sail: snorkel stops and views of the island's coves
Simpson Bay Lagoon: lagoon cruises and boat tours that pass between the two sides of the island

St. Maarten beaches

Beach	Type	Getting there	Best for
Great Bay Beach	Public	Walk or water taxi	Staying close to the ship, chairs and beach bars
Maho Beach	Public	Taxi or tour	Plane watching (stay clear of the jet blast)
Mullet Bay	Public	Taxi, near Maho	Calmer swimming close to Maho
Orient Bay	Public with beach clubs	Taxi or tour to the French side	Long, beautiful beach and beach clubs

SIX18 tip: Great Bay Beach is the easiest beach day. Shop around along the boardwalk for the best chair-and-umbrella deal.

What to eat and drink

Guavaberry: the island's signature liqueur, made from a local berry
Johnny cakes and saltfish: a classic island breakfast
French pastries and cafe lunches: a reason to visit Marigot
Fresh grilled seafood: easy to find along the Philipsburg boardwalk

Insider tips for St. Maarten

Money: on the Dutch side, prices are often listed in US dollars, which are widely accepted. The French side uses the euro, though many businesses take US dollars.
Two countries, no border hassle: you can move freely between the Dutch and French sides.
Maho safety: never hold onto the airport fence or stand behind departing jets.
Plan for traffic: island roads can be slow, especially around Simpson Bay, so leave extra time to return.
Watch the clock: be back at least 30 minutes before all-aboard.

Before you sail, check whether you need a passport for your cruise and budget for cruise gratuities by cruise line.

St. Maarten cruise port FAQ

Can you walk from the St. Maarten cruise port to the beach?

Yes. Great Bay Beach is about a 15 to 20-minute walk, or a short water taxi ride.

How far is Maho Beach from the cruise port?

It's on the other side of the Dutch side of the island, reached by taxi or tour.

Do you need euros in St. Maarten?

Not usually. US dollars are widely accepted on both sides, though the French side's official currency is the euro.

Get the full St. Maarten playbook

This post is the overview. The SIX18 Voyages St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide goes deeper, with detailed maps, beach-by-beach breakdowns, timing strategies and insider extras for your day ashore. Booking your cruise with SIX18 Travel? Your port guides are included.

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Planning more port days? Read our Nassau cruise port guide, or explore our St. Martin destination guide.