Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Today, there are two of everything here, school systems, utilities, housing systems, languages, even two different names for the island. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111088226', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise lines shore excursion to Maho Beach was canceled, and we still want to go. Rates quoted by the St. Maarten Taxi Association are $10 per person each way for two passengers and $9 per person for three to five passengers. Other options are to take a city bus to a really big mall nearby. Then one thing to include in your list of things to do is to visit one of the islands finest beaches. The beach isnt very wide, and today its completely full. If your only goal is to see a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. I trust that you have found this information useful if your plans are to visit a beach while on a cruise to St Maarten. 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. How to Go By Ferry From Nassau to Paradise Island - Cruise Maven With accessible and cost-effective pricing, the St Maarten water taxi is the perfect choice for travelers seeking a convenient and scenic way to navigate the island. We had a great time and with a great driver - unique local history, lots of laughs, and 2 fun beaches to be at! It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. :) There are only two of us. . Guests will be at Maho Beach in time to see the planes come in for a landing. We would recommend this trip to everyone. Sent from my SM-T350 using Forums mobile app. . St.Martin - St.Maarten Taxi Tours There will be a bus by shortly, though there is no schedule as they are independent operators. So many derelict boats just floating in the water? That's it, eleven of us. Beaches In St Maarten Near Cruise Port (The Ultimate Guide) . Thanks again! :), You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator to run the excursion. Cupecoy is a half hour west of the port and requires a taxi or rental car to get there. Wife didn't like the noise and crowds but it was so fun and funny to watch nuts from around the world along the runway. Two kids parasailed for $80.00 (not sure if that's good or not, they just wanted to try it). It's about a half hour drive and there are plenty taxi's at the port and Maho Beach to get you back and forth. Lucius was a wonderful guide. Locate land taxi station. You can be just as close to the planes at most airports as you are to the planes at Maho if you are out in the water. See the famous plane spotting at Maho Beach! After a day at the beach the shuttle will let those who wish off in town and take the rest back to the cruise ship dock. It's about a half hour drive and there are plenty taxi's at the port and Maho Beach to get you back and forth. 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. - how long by taxi from cruise port to Maho Beach? There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. Budget-minded walkers will go less than one mile or about 10 to 12 minutes to reach the beginning of the beach. Duce has a cooler of soda, beer, and homemade rum punch he calls Duce Juice. He told us about the history of the area, he was very nice and provided us with beverages the whole time!!! There were a few small boat tours which started near the cruise terminal and anchored (their is no pier there to dock) for a couple of hours and serveda snack. Visit the villages of Grand Case and Marigot before . It is about seven miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port. As we cross into the French side of the Island, Duce explains a bit of the history of the island, and how the Dutch and French decided to share the island rather than fight about it. . taxi at the port 10:12 am. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. This is the most affordable option. . It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. Does anyone know about this and what it may be called? Tell the driver Maho Beach and you pay when you get off. The ferry charges $4 for one-way and $8 round-trip. St Maarten Maho Beach and Lucas Bay Half-Day Sore Excursion 2023 - Viator 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. I don't know if they are back in business - so many (probably a vast majority) of the boats on the island were wrecked or washed ashore. -I would make a reservation and pay particular attention on how they suggest to meet you in the chaos. I had 6 port stops on this cruise, and this was by far the worst of the tours we took. Then find Back Street. Powered by Invision Community, We took the bus to Maho. The waves are too strong here for snorkeling, so eventually we got bored and went elsewhere. Share More sharing options. Went to both sides of the island and many locations and spent time at several locations. It will cost around $6 per person. It is larger than Maho beach and it a good option for beginner snorkeling as you can see fishes near the shoreline. . There is a large Westin resort located on this beach. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. I've taken taxis on the island many times, but never from the cruise port. We've done a lot of ship based excursions but this was the best. Back on the van, more rum punch, and were off to the Dutch side again. The beach has rental chairs and umbrellas available for rent for the day. They were aware of the Harmony arrival times and told us the tour will be waiting for us to arrive. Rejser Beskeder Log p The Maho Beach was great for the planes but intimidating to swim at this time of year. Families as well as solo guests would enjoy this tour! We went to to him, showed him our tickets, and he said get on. Id really been expecting a Dutch island. Find Transport to Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa, Grand Case - Rome2rio Also, on the return, be aware that there is a drawbridge that could add some time (don't want to miss the ship.) Option 1 - Water Taxi If you only have one day in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, there are several options to get to Great Bay Beach, but a Water Taxi is the easiest. I guess its the American in me that expects this should be at least in the process of being cleaned up but I dont see any work being done. Pbx: +1-721-542-0108 visitstmaarten @ shta.com Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. We regularly stay at The Towers at Mullet Bat, adjacent to AUC, and will often walk over to Maho in the morning to grab a newspaper and perhaps a pastry. definitely take a taxi. p.s. Which beaches have the least chance of seaweed? The snorkeling is mediocre--whoever says it's "great", they probably haven't been to really great snorkeling sites. There are a few shops in the new cruise terminal. I was told via email they would wait for me to disembark. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. In the sea, people swam and jumped in the swell whilst waiting for the next plane to land. I have been there before and rented a car, It is very easy to get around, you have a map and you just follow it, you get lost you just ask for directions. Orient Beach was not as grand as we were hoping. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. Thank You:). St Maartens cruise port is in the capital city- Philipsburg which has space for a whole load of cruise ships to dock at once. I'm was told about a boat that picks you up near the port and goes to somewhere very near Maho beach. Please advise in advance if any guests have collapsible wheelchairs or walkers so transportation can be arranged. How to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach in one day. I agree with Karysa. more, St Martin / St Maarten Destination Experts. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. It takes approximately 5 minutes by water taxi and 8 minutes by car to arrive at this location. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. They advertise that they do exactly what you are asking for. Taxi would return you to the Cruise Facility. T.I.E reps will await you under the white tent. Or see if the cruise line has an excursion going to Maho. We find a spot on the sand, and I lay on my back trying to film the incoming planes. Preview. The Orient beach was gorgeous! However, kindly note that this one is the furthest on this list from the cruise port. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. For photos and video go to TheHolloWAYtoTravel.com, Tour itself was excellent but started nearly an hour late waiting for customers from other ships Anyone with an interest in diving might consider either Little Bay or Kim Sha beaches. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. 6 of us in total on this tour. Harold Jack look out point, located on Cole Bay Hill, is a 10 minute drive from the cruise terminal. Allow a BIG chunk of time to get away from the jam right at the port. Call 1 721 580 7594 for further assistance. Just do your research before you go and plan it out. We were there on a day with six ships in port, so everywhere was extremely crowded. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. Mass market cruise lines dock at the A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility . The tours was amazing. Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location. It's around 20 dollar from cruise port to main beach (Maho Beach). Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation! . Best way to get to Maho Beach from Port - Cruise Critic This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. The resort is located about 25 minutes from your cruise port. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. First our driver was amazing! He deserves a raise! Large Anse is the best beach near to Grenada cruise port. Water taxis to Maho Beach from the cruise port is easy to find and cost about $20. And use your heads! Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88317462', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship pier. . We drive through Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. Our driver was a perfect '10'. Description. That's where the planes come in right over the beach! This excursion is excellent for someone who wants beach time and to see the planes on Maho Beach. We love to swim there after the cruisers are gone! Ships dock at the Dr. AC Wathey Cruise Facility in front of a sprawling outdoor pedestrian mall. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. You want to cancel at any time, for any reason, before or after your arrival. If you're searching for something unique or adventurous, search again. Once you arrive, you'll have 2 hours to spend as you see fit. Are you sure that it's what you want to do? Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close. ", St. Maarten, Lesser Antilles (St. Martin). You can hang out at the beach or sit at the restaurant. Meets you at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? He answered questions as well as sharing what he planned to discuss. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84536363', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Renting a car is usually much cheaper and it's what we would do. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. As said, the travel time from the boat to Maho is "about 20 minutes without traffic", BUT there rarely is no traffic. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. Our guide Frankie on the Beach Bum tour, was outstanding. The Caribe's helped too! There are a few nudist resorts here, and part of the beach is clothing optional. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experiences start time will not be accepted. Arriving aircraft must touch down as close as possible to the beginning of runway 10 due to the short runway length of 2,180 metres (7,152 ft ) resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at minimal altitude. Walking to Great Bay Beach After waving goodbye to the big boat, "bye, big boat," walk through the cruise terminal area, following the signs for "downtown." You will exit the port area and take a left. . Read our community guidelines. The airplanes make their approach directly above the beach. The former is lively Junkanoo Beach, located just past the Colonial Hilton about 15 minutes' by foot from the cruise terminal. This is a popular spot to catch great views of Simpson Bay. Maho was crowded but to be expected. After having breakfast on the ship, walk outside the pier area past the St Maarten port sign on the right towards the walkway on the left that says "Water Taxi." What are our options for getting to Maho Beach from the port? So if you if you are considering a cruise for your next Caribbean vacation, check out How To Cruise For Less. As a result, it often draws large crowds. . Stop: 4 hours. -do a google search for Sint Maarten taxis to get a bunch of their websites. 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. Orient Beach the water is very clear and you can purchase 2 chairs for about $10, a welcome drink and wifi. Ride in an air-conditioned van to Maho Beach on the Dutch side of this Caribbean island and Lucas Bay on the French side. Should be $3 for a taxi (each way) per person or $4 for the Water Taxi ($6 round trip). . Will they not want to give us a ride? How to Visit Trunk Bay from St. Thomas on a Cruise Ship Stop Id like to have spent more time with him, just looking into his blue eyes made me think he could cure Toms cold! Late afternoon traffic can be a complete gridlock going thru Simpson Bay. Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. Maho Beach was amazing, not only was watching the planes cool but the water on the beach was crystal clear and gorgeous! Saint Martin has many other things to do besides visiting Maho Beach. Powered by Invision Community. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. You could also take a taxi or rent a car. 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. If the cost of a taxi is not prohibitive, and you want to stay mainly at Maho, I would go that route. I also just read about the city bus, so we might do that unless you advise against it. Experience the highlights of St Maarten on this 5-hour shore excursion leaving from the cruise port. English-speaking certified driver and guide! Learn the best things to do at the port of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. A aquarium taxi from the cruise . Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Bring along sun protection, swimsuit, change of clothes, towel, camera, and cash for souvenirs, drinks, snacks, shopping, etc. A certified PADI dive shop is located at the center of the beach. Round-trip transportation from your St. Maarten cruise ship terminal! Followers 0. Will use Shore Excursioneer again. 30 Things to Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten During a Cruise You should be able to walk it in 20. LOOOOONG Trip Report: St Maarten, St Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport adjacent to the beach. My husband and I went on this excursion March 28th, 2018. That was cool. But there are signs posted so there is no "accidentally" wandering into that side :), We booked through Shore Excursioneer for our 6/24/15 cruise stop in St Maarten. :), I know it's been awhile, but thank you for the excellent directions for taking the bus and the options getting to the bus stop. 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. We disembarked around 9am, and walked around the little shops in the secure area of the port. Additionally, there is a clothing optional area on this beach. How Much is the Ferry from Nassau to Paradise Island. It's a nice combo. We were there twenty minutes early and saw no guides. We got dropped off at a bar where they rented chairs for $5. The taxi drivers wouldn't take us until we had more people in the taxi van so we waited FOREVER until a few people who also wanted to go to 7 Mile Beach came along. Great day. In this post we will explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in St Maarten on a cruise. By the time we got to the beach we didn't have much time to spend there. He was knowledgeable about both parts of the island. The trip also included beer, pop, water, and rum punch. Great Bay Beach stretches from St Maarten's Cruise port towards the Little Bay area. First, we had problems finding the meeting point. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. The island was discovered by the Europeans in the . Visit the villages of Grand Case and Marigot before being returned on-time for your cruise ship's departure. King David was the best tour guide. . - easiest taxi company to make a reservation with? We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. Maho Beach. Hungry and thirsty when we arrived, we sat on the covered decking of the Sunset Beach Bar (check out their live webcam of the planes landing if youre curious), and ordered fries and drinks. Mullet Bay looks the closest but I have heard it is easier to get a return taxi to the cruise port from Maho. 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. Some people go as part of their private tour. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84535961', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise next month. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84557721', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');St. Maarten airport website for times of arrivals. Kind of like never standing at the back end of a horse. Loved the beaches. Walking around the puddles, trying not to start the day with wet sand in my shoes, we boarded the van. All in all it was a fabulous day! Otherwise, look for signs at the mall pointing toward the $5 water taxi. Any tours of the island for those spending a day? Would anyone happen to know if Maho is walking distance from AUC? Soon the sun is shining and we head to the beach for some photos. It is 86 dripping degrees, a slight drizzle just letting up as we ran down the gangway. Orient Bay, which is located on the French side of the island, is arguably the islands most famous and popular beach. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are going to be there next month and are planing on doing the bus thing too. Check out the video below from In The Loop Travel that shares the walk from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach. Sometimes life is like that, hurry up-then wait! I had the pleasure of going on this tour last week (July 5, 2016) while on my cruise vacation with RCCL. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region. For this port, I decided we had to visit Maho and experience the planes. 25 Fun Things To Do In St. Maarten While On A Cruise The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. As it turned out, he put us on the wrong bus. Sounds like there would be taxi vans available to hire for the day without necessarily reserving in advance. Nap time, in style. Maho beach was fun , because of the Airplane traffic and the over experience. Clive was a good driver and guide, but he spoke fairly softly and it was hard to hear him from the back seat of the van. Travel by water taxi is about 5 minutes and via taxi (car) about 8 minutes via Walter A Nisbeth Road. . Rick, our driver and guide, was very informative and had a good sense of humour, pointing out places of interest and explaining the history behind them as well as the history of the island. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Maho beach is a manic place but worth experiencing. MAHO BEACH - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor We were happy to see others waiting. Not great for swimming or tanning. . How Is the Transportation in Sint Maarten? Supposedly they provide a hot dog type lunch. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. An Inexpensive, Easy, and Relaxing Port Day at Great Bay Beach in St The beautiful waters and beaches. Return is the same (just show up at the stand next to the maho beach bars and hop in another . Will we see planes land while we are at Maho Beach? It is about five miles or less than 20 minutes away. That is all that I know. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. Got to Maho beach just in time to see 5 big planes land. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! The very handsome french pharmacist asks about his symptoms and gives me a box of liquid packets. or take a land taxi into town. Can you take a water taxi to Maho Beach from cruise port? Travelers recommend Sunset Beach Bar for the best views. A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the tour operator or guest may send doctor's note). The water taxis run every 5-10 minutes and cost $5 per person one-way. The only one that works for cruise ship passengers however departs from Red Hook, St. Thomas. . . The taxis on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is Americanized enough that it is anticipated. Alternatively, you may use. Can you take a water taxi to Maho Beach from cruise port? 5 1/2 hr tour covering both Dutch & French highlights of the island. Happy Honeymooner, March 27, 2010 in St. Martin/St. A good trip and great value. The big planes (not inter island commuter ones) start arriving around noon. Aburkhard7. This taxi is sort of like an open safari truck you'd take over in Africa really. From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. Next to the Sunset Beach Bar is Sandbar, a colourful new eatery which offers just about every kind of food you could wish for, from sushi and burgers to tacos and smores. The chairs and umbrellas were great. His name is Cisco2 Godet. I will say that you need to be on the beach to get the "airplane" experience. Ride in an air-conditioned van to Maho Beach on the Dutch side of this Caribbean island and Lucas Bay on the French side. Sun, sea, and fun at 2 of the most popular beaches! I will be traveling alone and was concerned about the cost of a taxi round trip. Mayo Beach has to be experienced although very busy. There will be plenty. Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation, Round-trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal, Bilingual certified local excursion guides, narrated, Complimentary refreshments - 1 (water, soft drinks, beer, and Guavaberry liqueur), Return to cruise port (with optional drop-off in Philipsburg or Marigot, downtown is about a 15-minute walk back to the pier or 4 minutes by water taxi, p/p $7.00usd cost is not included), Drivers and guides are trained in first aid. Gio was a great guide, starting off the tour with some rum punch. The trip was worth more than what we were charged. Allnecessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket. Van was comfortable and clean. I could have spent more time in this area. MULLET BAY (Sint Maarten) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor 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. Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. Located about 20 minutes by taxi from the cruise terminal, this white sand beach is surrounded by lush green landscape. It is very close to the cruise terminal and you can get there either by water taxi for $7 with a return ticket or pay $5 for a one way. All Rights Reserved. Maarten. Today, its a bay of abandon boats. Small bills so no one has to worry about change. -Yes tip in Sint Maarten. Thanks very much for all the helpful tips. If you would rather walk there, it's only a 15-minute walk down the boardwalk, and you can enjoy music and some local bars and restaurants along the way. Best things to do near the St. Maarten Cruise Port: The Ultimate Guide The Philipsburg boardwalk lies between the beach and the shopping district of the city. Additionally, when we met up with the original driver, he was unknowledgeable about any of St. Maarten's history. He would to top a house and say "this is a nice house", "thus is a funeral home", "this is horses next to water". The place where we stopped charged $10 for 2 chairs and an umbrella but everyone received a complimentary drink. Below is the Bus Stop at the final destination (Maho Beach) and then the Bus sign 'on the other side' of the road for the return transportation: Finally, some more visuals on our visit to Maho Beach using the local bus (December 2011): Photos: Bus ride from Downtown Philipsburg to Maho Beach (Thursday 12.29.2011), Photos: Maho Beach - seeing the aircrafts landing in St. Maarten (Thursday 12.29.2011).