For full information, please see mydisclaimerhere. Because of this vibrant but peaceful history the island shows two beautiful and diverse faces and personalities. 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. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. Do you have a special shop, museum, attraction or tour you would like to share? This opportunity alone makes any St. Maarten shore excursion and trip incredibly fulfilling. There are TWO throughfares to get you from the port to the airport.The short route will take approximately 45 and MUST cross a DRAWBRIDGE that opens DAILY around 8 0r 9 for traffic in and out of the Bay/Lagoon..small boats to mega yachts.IF that bridge is opened BEFORE you cross you will have an additional 1/2hr to an hr wait..depending on boat traffic.that time of year can be busy because lots of yachts are wintered there. Amongst many others, ships of Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar have the island in their itineraries. Built in 1787 by Will Blake, a sugar planter, it is stated to be the oldest structure on the island. 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. Aside from this fact, the island has lots of sights to offer. Your email address will not be published. It is a large cruise facility that can accomodate several mega cruise ships. The cutest little streets youll ever want to explore are here, plus white sand beaches that bow to the more liberal European culture. The Koningsdam Holland America Line docked on January 6, and the luxurious Silver Wind called for an overnight on January 11. There are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. Help, Re: Cruise Terminal to Airport (Philipsburg, St Maarten) ? The best way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay without a car is to ferry which takes 1h 10m and costs $20-$50. Currently, we are unable to provide international travel restriction information for Saint Martin relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19). For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status within Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. Over time, the Dutch and French found ways to maintain their island colonies, respecting each others cultures and heritage. Taking this option will cost $20-$50 and takes 1h 10m. Privacy Statement - . 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. Continue further north for more natural getaways like the Rainforest Adventures of St Maarten, as well as the vast habitat housing exotic birds at Parotte Ville. However, if you fancy more private and secluded beaches, you can charter a boat to the nearby island of Anguilla. Some tours include beach time, so make sure you bring proper clothing. This was a key date for the cruise tourism. . Leave the piers and head to the right, where theres a row of taxis waiting to leave. Wait, what? Philipsburg St. Maarten has established a cruise welcome center next to the cruise dock. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. 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 . 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. A spot of late afternoon blinding sunshine . 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. Enjoy The Beaches. Cruise tourists contribute around 7,1% to Puerto Rico's economy. 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. Great Bay Beach. We dont even recommend taking your passport. Upon getting off the ship, a hundred meters further, youll spot Harbour Point Village a lively area full of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, market stalls, bars, and a restaurant. For the latest travel status in Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. Wow, I think that is tight. Your ship will dock on the Dutch side of the island at Philipsburg, where all large vessels such as cruise ships dock. The fastest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry. Fed and watered, Rachel and I headed onto the beach itself. 1 American Airlines flight in at 2:00pm - the rest prop planes. The only thing that separates the beach from the runway is a narrow tarmac road and a wire fence, on which signs are tacked, warning people to stay back because of blasts from the jets. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. No, there is not a beach within walking distance of the St. Maarten cruise port. At SXM airport importantly, St. Martian's main form of transportation island- wide is rental cars. 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. Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, which is divided between France and the Netherlands. The road distance is 5 miles. St. Maarten has steadily grown in popularity as a tourism destination in recent years. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! With its European influences , St. Maarten is just begging to be explored from the land or sea via cruise ship. The waters surrounding St. Maarten make for some great snorkeling adventures. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. The cruise port is located on the French side of the island. There is no route to take to avoid the draw bridge. But eventually the tide came in so close that there was nothing else for it but to pack up and move on. Find a booth (see picture) to buy a ticket. Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment Tips by a Pro! Sometimes ships drop anchor in the bay in front of Philipsburg and tender people to shore. Id really been expecting a Dutch island. A hat and water are recommended! The Amsterdam of the Caribbean Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. 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). It features a large pool, restaurants and large picnic-play grounds. In St. Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island, the official currency is the antillean guilder. $31/Adult. Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier, in Dutch St. Maarten. 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. Kind of like never standing at the back end of a horse. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? You might have already sensed from my description that this beach is not my kind of place. Read the full cruise port guide here. 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!!! It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. All you have to do is to provide the tour operator with the ship name, arrival, and departure time upon booking a tour. Creditcards are accepted at mosts shops. 4. Make sure to take some home with you. But dont let the facts get in the way of enjoying this enticing cruise destination that goes by the name of Saint-Martin on the northern French side and Sint Maarten on the southern Dutch side. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 10m. The fare is 2 to 3 US dollar. more, St Martin / St Maarten Destination Experts. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Port de Galisbay. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. St. Maarten has constructed a wonderful new cruise terminal. Mere steps from where the cruise ships dock in Philipsburg is the extremely popular St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge, which gives normal folk the thrill of racing in an actual Americas Cup regatta. comes and goes as sxmlover says. . 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. Ive already listed a few: Maho, Mullet, Cupecoy, Orient, Happy Bay, Grand-Case, and Pinel Island. 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. It is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, and is a popular site for tourists and planewatchers, who visit the beach to watch aircraft on final approach landing at the airport, passing only a short distance above their heads. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. The water taxi departs from the Captain Hodge Pier. Whether you book a shore excursion with the cruise line, a third party vendor, or a local tour operator, there are numerous locations in the area to spot a variety of marine life. 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. The walk is 100-200 meters long (depending on the location of your cruise ships dock), and in case you have difficulty in walking, there is a small trolley that can take you there for free. 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 . Docking at the island is smooth, courtesy of the large pier that accommodates up to 7 ships. It will likely take half an hour from Philipsburg to Marigot, but one time it took us closer to an hour. Your email address will not be published. In my blog, I share with you my insider tips & knowledge and about cruise ports, shore excursions, cruise destinations, and crew life onboard a cruise ship! Sat. 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. The itinerary of this particular tour allows you to visit both the French and Dutch parts of the island and consists of numerous stops including Simpson Bay Lagoon, Marigot, Friars Bay, Happy Bay, Grand Case, Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island, Pinel Island, Mulle Bay, Maho Beach As you can see, you also get to see the whole island! And best of all the taxi charges are standardized by the government. This island also has a beach lined with loungers and umbrellas to relax after your snorkeling trek. Now, any day can be a 12K kind of day. St Maarten/Saint Martin off-road island tours are a great way of exploring the island, especially if you look for adrenaline and adventure. Welcome to the St. Maarten cruise port guide. Pinel Island can be reached via a short ferry trip across Cul de Sac as well. Below is the list of the main Philipsburg attractions: See the list of the best Philipsburg toursif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0'); rel="sponsored nofollow noopener", Check out St Maarten/St Martin beach tours and activities. Cruise portsCrew membersDestinationsBlogAbout me, ContactPrivacy policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimer, We use cookies to improve your experience. This can happen as early as 8:30. Large dock and cruise terminal available: 1 mile from Philipsburg Tender dock available right in town. Sunset Beach is a great bar. St. Martin is the worlds smallest territory shared by two countries. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port For a slightly different vibe, and the opportunity to cook your own food on lava stones, head to the Palms Grill at the opposite end of the beach. In this article, read about: Visit also our cruise guides to St Thomas, San Juan, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia,Falmouth, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Labadee, Bermuda, Barbados. Re: St Martin airport beach to cruise port. 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. Maho is only about fifteen minutes from downtown Phillipsburg. St. Lucia Key West San Juan Curacao Aruba Barbados. There are water taxis, vehicles, trams, buses and even ATVs at the transport stand. Instead, try off the beaten path gems like Happy Bay Beach or nearby Friars Bay Beach. There was indeed white sand and crystal clear water, but Maho Beach is also one of the most-visited beaches in St Maarten, mainly due to the fact that its built directly next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. not as many planes to watch though as traffic at the airport is still somewhat slow. Go beyond Paris, the Alps, the Loire chateaux and the French Riviera. We advice you to book in advance. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14741495', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise personel and they will make sure you make your connection at the airport. . Distance to Cruise Port: 8.7 miles Distance from Airport: 2 minutes. 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. You might also catch a glimpse of sea turtles and stingrays during your snorkeling adventure. Jetblue starts daily service next week from JFK chexk online there schedule for arrival and departure times . Visit also our cruise guides to St Thomas, San Juan, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia,Falmouth, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Labadee, Bermuda, Barbadosif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); 25 Top Shore Excursion Packing List Items, What to Pack for a Cruise Top 50 Cruise Essentials. Or walk into Philipsburg and catch a local bus heading to Maho Beach. Just visited Dec 26th - was told by multiple people that 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. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. the trip from the dock to the airport usually takes closer to 30 minutes and often much more when the traffic is bad. I drive past (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All rights reserved. One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. Good to know, ya know.). 3. Airplane traffic is light (only one big plane when we were there), but Maho is still fun and the bars are up and running. There are many options to choose from in St. Maarten, from casual Caribbean fare to upscale restaurants serving lobster thermidor a local specialty. We are looking to go to the beach to watch the planes land. As cruise port, Cancun is visited by smaller-sized ships and superyachts as Puerto Juarez Dock can handle only vessels with low draft. Locals will claim that its 37-square-mile island is the smallest in the world shared by two countries. Rotary Lookout Point A beautiful viewpoint is part of the French Nature Reserve offering scenic views of the east coast of Saint Martin and Lucas Bay. . Currently, we are unable to provide domestic travel restriction information for travelling within Saint Martin. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 2.4 km/1.5 milesaway from the city center. 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. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. The water taxis depart and arrive every 5-10 minutes and will take you over to a great family beach and the downtown area for shopping. However, you can take the ferry to Anguilla then take the ferry to St. Martin. In the 17th century, both the Dutch and the French colonized St. Maarten. There is a reef extending off the coast affording shallow, calm water and an abundance of fish. 3. Neither was ever destroyed. Leisure Car rental provides clean and well-maintained vehicles in all categories. Rome2rio makes travelling from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay easy. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. For over 350 years they have been living alongside one another on this small island. Travel down Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard with a transfer thats easy to count on, choosing between a modest sedan or a spacious chartered bus to see the vibrant culture of the Arawak people, or consider one of many meet-and-greet services ranging from luxury limousines perfect for arriving to beachside resort restaurants in brilliant fashion, or go with a casual local personal driver who can offer the natives perspective of surrounding landmarks as well as exotic natural flora. Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close. I'll probably just catch a Taxi from the ship. Philipsburg is located on the Dutch side of the island (Sint Maarten). Rodael ingored my email and car booking request made from their website. This is where you catch the watertaxi to the centre of Philipsburg. Its the best place to enjoy a perfect beach day. The northern part, measures 52 km2 / 20 m2, is French. First time visiting St. Maarten, arriving on a Wednesday from Celebrity. What are the times for the water taxi from the cruise port to and from. The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. The French call this part of the island Saint Martin and they call their main city Marigot. The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. You either have to cross the Dutch side draw bridge or the French side draw bridge when coming from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You need to carry off your luggage and be the 1st people off the ship. We have received no reports of travel restrictions in Saint Martin. Currently, we are unable to provide travel restriction information for leaving Sint Maarten. Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Terminal Mobile Al. 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. If you stay near the airport, you might be OK with taking taxis to your destinations . More 1 hour Free Cancellation From $9.00 Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to St Maarten Airport 86 Read Also: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico. 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. Cancun cruise port schedule 2023-2024-2025, map, address, ship terminals, hotels, tours, shore excursions. Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. We were there are Christmas Day and there were a lot of taxis and busses going out to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Notify the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? $45/Adult. Thats right, the end of the runway sits along the edge of the water and landing planes swoop down directly overhead. Add it! It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. Everyday Im hustlin Or even go deep-sea fishing, which is an option with Viator, a TripAdvisor company that I've used around the world. . 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. February 18. La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin Indirect flights to St Maartens airport can be sought by going via Paris or Amsterdam. They also have 3 hour sightseeing tours for $90. From the beach in Philipsburg you can see the ships in the distance. Whether you are coming for the first time or you have already been, make sure you plan your day ahead to maximize your stay in this amazing port of call. However, you can take the ferry to Anguilla then take the ferry to St. Martin. Airport: St Maartens airport is called St Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport. 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. In the height of the season they often open the Dutch side bridge at 9 AM and 9:30 AM which really backs up the traffic. . Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Distance to Cruise Port: 0.9 mile Distance from Airport: 23 minutes. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, Can you walk from the cruise ship docking port the the famous airport.