What to Do in St Martin: Cruise Port Guide & Best Tips
You don’t want to stay on the ship! In this post, I will cover what to do in st martin, including the popular things you don’t want to miss and exactly what we did.
St. Maarten is a fascinating Caribbean island divided between two nations: the northern French side and the southern Dutch side. Because it is such a popular tourist destination, English is widely spoken everywhere.
This island is safe to walk around, and the locals are very friendly. Even though the island is small, we spent our entire trip in the Dutch zone. Here is our breakdown of how to make the most of your day.
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Where do cruise ships dock in St. Maarten?
We sailed with Virgin Voyages (check out my Virgin Voyages Tips You Wish You Knew Before Boarding) and the cruise ship docked at the Port of St Maarten.
This is located in Philipsburg, which is the capital of the Dutch side (Sint Maarten).
Map of St. Maarten cruise ship
Watch Our St. Maarten Port Day in Action
If you’re a visual traveler, I’ve put together a quick video of our entire day. It’s the perfect way to see exactly what to expect before you head out on your own trip.
St. Maarten cruise port shopping
If you want to stay close to the ship, the port area itself is packed with stores, souvenirs, and information offices. You will find plenty of St. Maarten cruise port shopping available right at the pier, including duty-free alcohol and jewelry.
However, we recommend exploring further! If you head into the downtown Philipsburg area (which we cover below), you can find even better local spots and a more authentic vibe than what you see right at the ship’s exit.
How to move around Philipsburg
How you move around depends on your goals for the day:
Note: The Water Taxi costs $7 per person (cash only, USD or Euros accepted). It takes about 10 minutes and drops you right at the beach area. They usually wait until the boat is full before departing.
St. Maarten cruise port car rental
We decided to do a St. Maarten cruise port car rental because we were traveling with several family members and wanted to control our own time. We chose a local company to rent a van and picked it up right at the exit area of the cruise port.
Tip: To drive around, you definitely need Google Maps, so make sure your mobile plan has data coverage on the island. I’d also recommend downloading the island map for offline use on Google Maps, just in case you hit a spot with no service.
We found it very easy to return the car to the same spot at the end of the day, and just like any rental, we made sure to put gas in the van before dropping it off.
What is the best currency to use in St. Maarten?
In St. Maarten, you can pay with US Dollars or Euros. Many stores and restaurants in the cruise port and Philipsburg accept credit cards. However, we recommend carrying cash because many local vendors and the water taxi only accept cash.
Since we were already carrying US Dollars, we decided to pay for all our expenses on the island with them, and it worked out perfectly.
St. Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach
Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side and was our very first stop. We recommend getting here as early as possible because it gets incredibly busy, and you’ll want to beat the crowds to get that famous photo.
This is a “must-visit” for plane fans and Instagrammers alike. The beach is famous because it sits right at the end of the airport runway. Aircraft land so low that they fly directly over your head!
Keep these tips in mind:
There is a restaurant next door (Sunset Bar and Grill) that displays flight times for the big aircraft. Even though they aren’t listed, smaller planes fly over in between, so you’ll have plenty of chances to time your photos.
Just a heads up: the restaurant only allows you to sit in their chairs if you are eating lunch.
When the aircraft takes off, it is a fun and powerful experience and can actually push you back! Just be prepared for the “jet blast,” which creates a bit of a sandstorm. I recommend protecting your eyes and being mindful if you have mobility issues.
How far is Maho Beach from the cruise port?
Maho Beach is about 25–30 minutes from the cruise port by car.
Note: We didn’t have to pay for parking here because we bought drinks at the Sunset Bar and Grill, and they waived the parking fee once we showed our receipt.
Philipsburg Boardwalk: What to do in St Martin near the port
After we visited Maho Beach, we headed to the Philipsburg boardwalk area. If you don’t want to rent a car, this is the spot to visit. It is very close to the cruise port, and there is actually a walking path from the cruise port to Philipsburg.
The boardwalk area includes “Front Street,” which is packed with designer stores, jewelry, souvenirs, and duty-free alcohol.
The beach is located right behind the shops, stretching along the boardwalk. You can rent chairs here or visit the many restaurants and bars with an ocean view.
The boardwalk is full of life and was actually rebuilt with the same materials after hurricane Irma damage. It’s a great spot to grab a bite or a drink while looking at the water.
Note: If you rent a chair, make sure you choose the one you want because you can’t change it once you’ve settled in.
Final thoughts on what to do in st martin
We loved our time here! I would definitely go back to St. Martin, not necessarily on a cruise, but to fly in and stay for a while!
If you are planning more stops, check out my One Day in Tortola or San Juan Guide. If you are sailing from Florida, I have a guide on Where to Stay in Miami Before a Cruise.
Recommended tours:
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