Port of Call Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cruise ships dock at the AC Wathey Pier in Great Bay. Downtown Philipsburg is an easy 15 minute walk from the pier. (Or a 5 minute trip by water taxi).
Where do cruise ships dock in Philipsburg (or tender) @ googlemaps Port of St. Maarten
Philipsburg Shore Excursions
Philipsburg Shore Excursions
Front Street 
St Maarten is a duty-free island with no sales taxes. Prices on electronics, jewelry and liquor are amazingly low. Philipsburg's mile long Front Street, together with the many side-streets running down to Back Street, are a shopper's dream.
St Maarten is a duty-free island with no sales taxes. Prices on electronics, jewelry and liquor are amazingly low. Philipsburg's mile long Front Street, together with the many side-streets running down to Back Street, are a shopper's dream.
Town Beach
Town Beach fronts the seafront of Philipsburg, and is an easy walk from downtown. It's a pretty beach, with lots of facilities, and a good view of your cruise ship across the bay.
Town Beach fronts the seafront of Philipsburg, and is an easy walk from downtown. It's a pretty beach, with lots of facilities, and a good view of your cruise ship across the bay.
Maho Beach
A very exciting beach, but not on account of enormous surf, insane banana-boat rides, or happening beach bars! The thrill at Maho Beach is watching huge airplanes screaming close overhead, seconds before they land at Princess Juliana International Airport. It's actually quite disappointing when the small dot high in the sky approaches and finally you realize it's a small private plane, not a monster jumbo-jet. About 6 miles west of Philipsburg.
A very exciting beach, but not on account of enormous surf, insane banana-boat rides, or happening beach bars! The thrill at Maho Beach is watching huge airplanes screaming close overhead, seconds before they land at Princess Juliana International Airport. It's actually quite disappointing when the small dot high in the sky approaches and finally you realize it's a small private plane, not a monster jumbo-jet. About 6 miles west of Philipsburg.
Orient Beach
Orient Beach is a lovely (but very busy) 2 mile long sweep of soft powdery sand in St Martin, the French side of the island (about 8 miles north of Philipsburg). Despite its location on the island's windward east coast, facing the Atlantic, the water is generally clear and calm, perfect for swimming, thanks to the protection of an offshore reef. The beach has lots of rental shops for water sports including parasailing, waterskiing and snorkeling. There are numerous beach bars and cafes. Prudes beware - at its southern end, the beach has a popular nudist section.
Orient Beach is a lovely (but very busy) 2 mile long sweep of soft powdery sand in St Martin, the French side of the island (about 8 miles north of Philipsburg). Despite its location on the island's windward east coast, facing the Atlantic, the water is generally clear and calm, perfect for swimming, thanks to the protection of an offshore reef. The beach has lots of rental shops for water sports including parasailing, waterskiing and snorkeling. There are numerous beach bars and cafes. Prudes beware - at its southern end, the beach has a popular nudist section.
Marigot
The capital of St Martin, Marigot is filled with chic boutique shops, excellent restaurants, lively bars and friendly cafes. Marina Royale, on the seafront, is packed with expensive yachts, well worth a wander to fuel some inner envy! Located about 7 miles north west of Philipsburg.
The capital of St Martin, Marigot is filled with chic boutique shops, excellent restaurants, lively bars and friendly cafes. Marina Royale, on the seafront, is packed with expensive yachts, well worth a wander to fuel some inner envy! Located about 7 miles north west of Philipsburg.
