St Maarten / St Martin has for decades been a popular port of call for cruise passengers. Resort Beach DayFor guests not wishing to make the trek to the French side of the island, there's su. However, of course, this is when there are most cruise liners docking and so more people. Help, Get answers to your questions about St Martin / St Maarten, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Browse all 24,710 St Martin / St Maarten topics . The French route it is just too much travel time and distance. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. There are a few shops in the new cruise terminal. One-way transfers are perfect for those who just want to get to their destination without worrying about how they'll get back. It occupies the northern part of the island, and the capital is Marigot, a charming town known for its vibrant markets and beautiful beaches, dominated by Fort St. Louis, the 18th-century military fort offering amazing panoramic views of the island.var cid='2861769772';var pid='ca-pub-7965674744033396';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} You can pick up a taxi (or bus) at the roundabout to take you back as well. It is a beautiful resort dotted with beautiful wooden cabanas hidden among the trees. In total there are thirteen beaches to visit during your cruise stay. . Is Marigot worth visiting? I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Why You Should Use Public Transportation to Maho Beach from the Cruise Port I drive past (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. At its Great Bay is the Port of St. Maarten, a main gateway for experiencing the few blocks of historic city nearby. About 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico in the northeast part of the Caribbean lies St. Maarten, a cruise community favorite destination. However, due to the number of cruise visitors, US dollars are widely accepted. Theres two more on the Dutch side you should visit, if you have the time, and at least 5 more on the French side. And the area directly in the path to the runway was naturally where people gravitated towards; everyone needs the money shot of themselves with an airplane zooming low behind. The processing time for the application takes about 12 hours to process, so make sure you do it a day or two before your flight to ensure its approved in time. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Resort Beach Day. You either have to cross the Dutch side draw bridge or the French side draw bridge when coming from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? GOOD LUCK. Distance to Cruise Port: 5.8 miles Distance from Airport: 8 minutes. Go beyond Paris, the Alps, the Loire chateaux and the French Riviera. However, you can take the ferry to Anguilla then take the ferry to St. Martin. #1. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor seating and beach lounges with umbrellas. If you are going from the Dutch into French side and back there is no border control or anything like that. Sonesta Ocean Point Resort is an adults-only, 5 star luxury all-inclusive resort which features direct access to spectacular Maho Beach. le Tintamarre is a small island with an area of approximately 0.8km2. Marigot is the main town and capital in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. (~2,5 hours drive distance). The first beach you will come across on the island is Great Bay beach which is readily accessible from the boardwalk. Anyone familiar with Villa Oyster Pearl and/or Dawn Beach? There's no physical border or customs checkpoint between the two sides. The water taxi is wheelchair accessible. The French route it is just too much travel time and distance. . A boat transfer only takes 30 minutes to get to the island. Airport: St Maartens airport is called St Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport. Check out, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch. Its just a short walk from the cruise dock to the cruise area where you will find many facilities. 4. Distance to Cruise Port: 8.7 miles Distance from Airport: 2 minutes. 3. If you want to take a glimpse of the whole island, you should definitely join a sightseeing tour that covers both St Maarten and St Martin highlights.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); You can either take a taxi/car and explore on your own, or you can join one of the sightseeing tours organized by your cruise line or independent tour operators. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14761279', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights to San Juan. A water taxi, $4 one way, continually runs from the cruise terminal to different spots at the beach promenade or you can walk ( 10 min.) 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. The island has a tropical, warm climate all year round. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. . Read Also: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico. St. Martin is the worlds smallest territory shared by two countries. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. 5. Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier, in Dutch St. Maarten. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. . There is fun for all ages offered by the zip line courses, hikes and boat trips offered here. If youre hanging out for a day or two before or after your cruise leaves, Great Bay Beach is right next to the Philipsburg cruise port and surrounded by hotels, restaurants, nightlife, casinos and more. They have not yet announced if they are going t o do that yet. It will likely take half an hour from Philipsburg to Marigot, but one time it took us closer to an hour. Amongst many others, ships of Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar have the island in their itineraries. Distance: 4 km Duration: 1h 10m What companies run services between St Maarten Airport (SXM), Sint Maarten and Marigot, Saint Martin? Sorry, that would be a .2-acre island governed by Norway and Sweden. Birds eye view of the real-life rainbow fish , Number 15 ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14746401', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight is at 10:30 you need to be at the airport to check in by 8:30. so it depends on what time you dock and how fast you can get off the ship. See here for more information. Port essentials with port maps, taxi prices, cruise terminal & water taxi info. How to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach in one day. 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. You cant miss it. Princess Juliana International Airport primarily services international and regional flights and is located 12 km/7.5 miles (a 25-minute drive) northwest of the Sint Maarten cruise terminal. Taking this option will cost $20-$50 and takes 1h 10m. $45/Adult. Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for Saint Martin. See map above for its exact location. Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. The northern part, measures 52 km2 / 20 m2, is French. 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. 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. 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. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. For full information, please see mydisclaimerhere. Source: Viator.com, Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch, St Maarten/Saint Martin off-road island tours are. It takes approximately 9 min to drive from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. From the deck of your ship you will be able to see this pier (longer pier with red rooftop). . I think I'll try and find a flight a'round noon or 1 pm. The Guava berry Emporium is the spot to taste and sample this locally made liquor. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88390607', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');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. Enjoy The Beaches. We advice you to book in advance. There is also an internet cafe at the cruise terminal. Your email address will not be published. Buy a ticket for the water taxi at the St Maarten cruise terminal. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, St. Maarten suffered significant damage that its still working to recover from. Thats right, the end of the runway sits along the edge of the water and landing planes swoop down directly overhead. 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. Aside from this fact, the island has lots of sights to offer. 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. However US dollar are widely accepted. 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. . 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. Sign up here. 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. . With its European influences , St. Maarten is just begging to be explored from the land or sea via cruise ship. not as many planes to watch though as traffic at the airport is still somewhat slow. AA has (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. I think this would certainly be less stressful! Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Find a booth (see picture) to buy a ticket. What a rush to grind a winch and trim a sail as official crew members of the same Stars & Stripes catamaran that carried Dennis Conner and his crew to victory in the Americas Cup. Welcome to the St. Maarten cruise port guide. If youre looking for more of an adventure, there are kayak, paddleboard and even jet ski rentals available at several locations in Philipsburg. Cab was $9us each way per person - they fill a van with a bunch of people (there was 13 of us that caught the same taxi - 11 from the UK and my wife and I) - and they will arrange a time to come back and pick you up (it is about a 30 min drive, so plan return time accordingly). Also, AA airline flight departs at 10:30 am..can I make this flight? Water Taxi a great way to get to downtown Philipsburg for a low cost. more, St Martin / St Maarten Destination Experts. 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. However, there are services departing from Sint Maarten and arriving at St. Martin via Anguilla. To get around the island you will need a vehicle and luckily transport is readily available at the end of the short pier. Re: St Martin airport beach to cruise port, Get answers to your questions about St Martin / St Maarten, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Browse all 24,710 St Martin / St Maarten topics . It is within sight of the ship, in the city centre and there are lots of facilities. 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. Limassol Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Mykonos Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Split Cruise Port Guide (Croatia), Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Dubrovnik Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Catania Cruise Port Guide (Sicily), Things to Do, Shore Excursions, The port area and Philipsburg downtown are, The roads in St Maarten are well-developed and clearly marked, so a. Dutch is the official language on the Dutch side, and French on the French side, however, English is widely spoken. Rainclouds rarely stick around for long, and we were confident that by the time we reached the airplane beach it would have passed. Barcelona airport from cruise ship in 3 hours ? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Most ships will dock when they make St. Martin their port of call and therefore the following information is based on ships docking at the cruise terminal. It is right in town at the main boulevard. rene verdugo urquidez released SU,F's Musings from the Interweb. With so many things to do and see in St. Maarten, you may need to come back and spend a weeks holiday to really enjoy the rest of the island. It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. A spot of late afternoon blinding sunshine . 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. 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!!! Couples sat with suitcases drank their last cocktails in paradise before they headed off to the airport, and groups of friends whod just arrived were already on their fourth or fifth cocktail as music pounded from the speakers. 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. 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. rel="sponsored nofollow noopener"if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0'); If you want to have an adrenaline-packed day filled with water activities and island exploration, you should go for one of the numerous boat tours offered by your cruise line and independent tour operators. 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. However, you can take the ferry to Anguilla then take the ferry to St. Martin. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. You'll need to be at the airport 2 hours prior to departure, arriving later than that may or may not result in your missing your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With over 500 duty-free stores this must be absolute shoppers paradise. There is no direct connection from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. No, there is no direct ferry from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. and note the bridge openings. Currency: The official currency in St Maarten is the Antillean Guilder and the Euro depending on which side you are on. Our St. Maarten cruise excursions and island tours allow you to experience all the wonder of the Dutch part of the twin island, complete with water sports, hiking and biking, marine life, and quaint history in the capital of Philipsburg. Posted January 17, 2011. 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. It boasts an impressive infrastructure that can accommodate a large number of cruise ships simultaneously, including the worlds largest cruise ships. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. 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. February 18. No need to worry. There is a reef extending off the coast affording shallow, calm water and an abundance of fish. Generally arrivals are between 6:30 and 7 on up to 8:30 or 9. How far away is the airport from the docking piers in st. marrten. Report inappropriate content divedive2 Nashville, Tennessee Level Contributor 277 posts 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 Amsterdam of the Caribbean The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. Taxi fare from the cruise pier in Phillipsburg to Orient beach is about $30 + tip each way. One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. Its about a half-hour walk to get from the Philipsburg pier to the center of town. As the Caribbean is known to be tropical climate and some prefer to skip the walk, there is multiple types of transport available to get to "town", as St Maarteners call it lovingly. Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! In St. Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island, the official currency is the antillean guilder. Cruise Terminal to Airport (Philipsburg, St Maarten) ? 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. 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. Marigot to Grand Case should take 15 minutes, but here as well it can sometimes take longer. The rusting cannons of Fort Amsterdam guard the many cruise ships that make a port of call in St. Maarten. Contact Us - 2023 Copyright by Cruise Crocodile. This boutique-style property offers stylish rooms with either city of views across the Caribbean sea to the cruise terminal. Yes, the driving distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is 5 miles. 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. 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. St Maarten/St Martin lies within the hurricane belt, so heavy tropical storms and hurricanes may occur in September and October. Some (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Try and get a seat along the railing! For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status within Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. Because of this vibrant but peaceful history the island shows two beautiful and diverse faces and personalities. 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. The southern part measures 44 km2 / 17 m2 and is Dutch. Traffic is crazy that time of year. Walk 1h 45m. Portland, OR. See All St Martin / St Maarten Conversations, Please recommend an all inclusive 5* adult only resort. The liquor is a rare combination of aged rum, sugar cane, and wild guava berries found in the central part of the island. Best Philipsburg, St. Maarten excursions. 2. 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. The fastest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry. On the Dutch side you have Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach, located right next to each other on either side of the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. 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. Before I share with you the best things to do in Philipsburg, I invite you to subscribe below and get my exclusive, insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE! Can anyone tell me how far the airport (SXM)is from the cruise dock? if your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? For the most part, we stayed out of the crowds but still appreciated the landings at an angle. Related Post:Best Snorkel Locations in the Caribbean. One price will do you for the day and youll get a great view of the harbor. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. comes and goes as sxmlover says. Make sure to take some home with you. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port #1. or take a land taxi into town. It is a large cruise facility that can accomodate several mega cruise ships. For the latest travel status in Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. ft of luxury, "STUNNING VIEW OF BEAUTIFUL CARIBBEAN IT'S MAGICAL" 3/27/23-4/15/23 AVAILABLE, St Maarten Airport SXM to Saba University School of Medicine, St Maarten Airport SXM to Hotel Christopher Saint Barth Gustavia, St Maarten Airport SXM to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, St Maarten Airport SXM to le Saint Barthlemy Saint Barthlemy, St Maarten Airport SXM to Baltimore Airport BWI, St Maarten Airport SXM to Dublin Airport DUB, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cartagena Airport CTG, St Maarten Airport SXM to Antigua Guatemala, St Maarten Airport SXM to Austin Airport AUS, St Maarten Airport SXM to Denver Airport DEN, St Maarten Airport SXM to British West Indies, St Maarten Airport SXM to Budapest Airport BUD, St Maarten Airport SXM to Caracas Airport CCS, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cottonwood Heights, St Maarten Airport SXM to Georgetown Airport GEO, St Maarten Airport SXM to Cape Liberty Cruise Port. When you disembark from your ship, start walking towards the shops and look for the large Water Taxi sign on the left. . Read the full cruise port guide here. Having sat in many a hot sticky vehicle on other Caribbean islands like the Dominican Republic or Antigua, I was expecting an uncomfortable journey, but considering the length of time we spent sat inside a vehicle that morning, it was surprisingly ok. Alternatively you can catch a water taxi from inside the cruise port, which is slightly more expensive. Cruise for 9 nights departing in October 2023 | Cruise code departing from Boston . http://www.yapta.com/search/results/?id=03735b347bad15f9770ef1e8a196df8c. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88391878', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maho beach every day. 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. The island has long been a top destination for cruisers and it looks like thats going to continue into the future! Upon getting off the ship, youll spot Harbour Point Village a lively area full of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, market stalls, bars, and a restaurant. More 1 hour Free Cancellation From $9.00 Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to St Maarten Airport 86 Can anyone please help re how the best way to get there and back, a taxi would be great if anyone can recommend a reputable company I could get in touch with that would be great. 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. However, if you fancy more private and secluded beaches, you can charter a boat to the nearby island of Anguilla. This was a key date for the cruise tourism. St. Maarten has steadily grown in popularity as a tourism destination in recent years. Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment Tips by a Pro! 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.