St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide: 9 Best Things To Do in Port

LAST UPDATED November 3, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

Where Cruise Ships Dock in St. Maarten

Cruise ships dock at Port St. Maarten in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. This is a modern, well-organized cruise terminal that regularly hosts the world’s largest ships.

The terminal area itself feels like a small village: duty-free shopping, jewelry stores, market stalls, a bar, a restaurant, and photo spots. It’s easy to navigate and very cruise-friendly.

Taxis, tour buses and independent shore excursion operators wait just outside the terminal gates, and the main taxi rank is only a short walk from the pier.

If you don’t want to walk that distance, there’s a free trolley that runs between the ships and the taxi area.

Getting Around St. Maarten

Getting around St. Maarten is easy — distances are short, the terrain is mostly flat near Philipsburg, and you have several simple options to move between the cruise port, beaches and sightseeing spots.

✔️ Getting From the Port to Philipsburg

Philipsburg is close, about a 20-minute walk from the cruise pier. The walk is flat, easy and follows the waterfront.

Most cruisers do it on foot, especially if the weather is nice. If you don’t want to walk, taxis and the water taxi are right at the port exit.

🚕 Taxi & Water Taxi Info

The water taxi station is about 300 meters from the pier. It takes just a few minutes to reach and drops you directly on the Boardwalk at Captain Hodge Wharf — the heart of Philipsburg.

Taxis operate as shared open-air safari vans and standard cars, with regulated pricing.

Many drivers also offer short island tours, which is a great way to see both the Dutch and French sides in one go without planning all the logistics on your own.

🚌 Shore Excursions

If you prefer having everything arranged in advance — snorkeling, beach hopping, French-side sightseeing, or a full “2 countries in one day” tour — booking a shore excursion is the easiest way to maximize your time.

I personally like to book with trusted platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide because they’re reliable and often cheaper than ship excursions.

👉 Compare top-rated St. Maarten tours on Viator and Get Your Guide

🚗 Renting a Car

Car rental is also a great option for experienced drivers who want to explore independently.

Roads are well-maintained, distances are short, and parking near beaches is usually straightforward earlier in the morning.

Just remember you are visiting two “countries,” so keep a phone map or offline navigation handy.

👉 Compare car rental prices on DiscoverCars

Useful Things to Know for Cruise Visitors

• Currencies: Antillean guilder (Dutch side) + Euro (French side). USD is accepted everywhere.
• Languages: Dutch and French are official, but English is widely spoken.
• Accessibility: The cruise port and Philipsburg Boardwalk are flat and generally easy for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility.
• Duty-free: Yes — the whole island is tax-free, and Philipsburg Boardwalk is one of the best shopping areas for jewelry and duty-free items right by the beach.
• Climate: Warm all year; highest hurricane risk in September and October.
• Airports: Princess Juliana (Dutch side) and Grand Case (French side).

9 Best Things to Do in St. Maarten Cruise Port

St. Maarten offers beaches, shopping, French–Dutch culture, unique aviation views, and easy half-day adventures — and you can see a lot in just one port day.

Here are the best things to do when you’re docked in Philipsburg.

1. Explore Philipsburg (Boardwalk, Great Bay Beach + Downtown)

Philipsburg is a short walk or water taxi ride from the cruise terminal and it’s the easiest way to spend your day on foot.

The Boardwalk runs along Great Bay Beach — full of bars, cafés, beach rentals and colorful photo spots with the cruise ships right in view.

If you want a beach day without taxis, this is the one. Umbrellas and loungers can be rented directly from locals on the beach.

Just one block behind the Boardwalk, Front Street is the island’s duty-free shopping strip.

It’s known for jewelry, liquor, cigars, perfumes and souvenirs — prices here are usually better than shops at the cruise terminal.

If you’re hungry, stop at the Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store to sample Dutch cheeses — it’s a fun local stop and a nice tasting detour.

For something different, sci-fi fans shouldn’t miss the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, owned by Nick Maley, who worked on Yoda for Star Wars. It’s small but memorable.

For a history break, Fort Amsterdam sits on the opposite end of Great Bay (10-minute taxi) and offers panoramic views of Philipsburg and the cruise ships.

👉 Explore Philipsburg walking tours and activities

2. Maho Beach — Watch Airplanes Land Just Above You

Maho Beach is one of the most famous spots in St. Maarten, and honestly, it’s a must-see at least once.

The beach sits right next to the runway of Princess Juliana Airport, so planes land just a few yards above the sand.

Most people come here for the photos, the videos, and the adrenaline of watching aircraft come in unbelievably low. It’s busy, but that’s part of the fun.

Sunset Bar & Grill is the most popular place to sit with a drink and watch the show — they even post flight arrival times so you don’t miss the big jets.

From the cruise terminal, a taxi ride to Maho Beach takes around 25 minutes.

There’s also a cheap local minibus that runs from Philipsburg toward Maho — it’s the most budget-friendly option, but routes aren’t posted and you may need to change buses in Simpson Bay, so make sure you allow extra time if you choose this option.

Most cruisers prefer a taxi or an island tour that includes a Maho stop because it’s faster and easier.

👉 Browse tours that include Maho Beach

3. Orient Bay Beach (French Side)

Orient Bay sits on the French side of the island and is one of the most popular beach resorts in Saint Martin.

It’s a long stretch of soft sand with clear water, beach clubs, restaurants, water sports and sunbed/umbrella rentals — everything you’d expect from a classic full-service Caribbean beach.

It takes around 25 minutes by taxi from the cruise port to reach Orient Bay, and the ride gives you a nice glimpse of the French side’s quieter, more European feel.

The area also has small boutiques and local vendors selling handmade souvenirs.

There is a clothing-optional section at the far end of the beach, so if you’re visiting with kids or prefer a more family-friendly vibe, stay closer to the central area.

👉 Explore Orient Bay tours and beach day packages

4. Island Tour — See Two Countries in One Day

A sightseeing loop around the island is one of the best ways to experience how different the Dutch and French sides are, and it’s a great use of a cruise day if you want a mix of views, culture, and beach stops.

You can do this with a taxi driver, a small-group tour, or a pre-booked shore excursion.

Most island tours include stops in Marigot — the French capital — where you’ll see the marina, cafés and Fort Louis overlooking the bay.

Many routes also include Orient Bay for beach time, and Maho Beach to watch planes land.

Some itineraries also pass through Grand Case, known for its waterfront restaurants and classic French + Creole cuisine.

As you drive between stops, you’ll likely go through Simpson Bay, an area with marinas, bars and views over one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the Caribbean.

ATV + off-road tours are also popular for adrenaline-seekers — you’ll bounce between coastal viewpoints, Marigot markets and wild coastline.

These are great if you prefer land-based adventure instead of beaches/snorkeling.

👉 Browse island tours that combine the Dutch & French sides

5. Mullet Bay Beach

Mullet Bay is one of the prettiest natural beaches on the island — calm water, soft sand and that perfect aquamarine color most people picture when they think “Caribbean beach day.”

It sits on the southwest side of the island, not far from Maho, so many cruisers combine both in one outing.

There are beach bars, casual restaurants and facilities for comfort, plus umbrella and chair rentals at reasonable prices.

The easiest way to reach Mullet Bay is by taxi from the cruise port, although some visitors choose to rent a car since there’s a large parking lot next to the beach.

👉 Check tours and beach transfers that include Mullet Bay

6. Pinel Island

If you want a quiet, picture-perfect escape, Pinel Island is one of the most beautiful places to spend a beach day in Saint Martin.

The island sits just off the northeast coast, and the water between the mainland and Pinel is shallow, calm and a stunning shade of turquoise, exactly the kind of scenery people imagine when they think of a private island.

To get there, take a taxi from the cruise terminal to Cul-de-Sac (about 25–30 minutes), then a short 5–10 minute ferry across to Pinel.

Once on the island, you’ll find a couple of beach restaurants, chair and umbrella rentals, calm swimming water and excellent snorkeling close to shore.

Pinel is not overcrowded, and it’s a great pick if you want a “remote island” vibe without spending hours in transit.

👉 Browse Pinel Island tours and ferry ticket options

7. Loterie Farm (Ziplining + Nature Nature Trails)

Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve on the slopes of Pic Paradis, the highest point on Saint Martin.

It’s a beautiful spot if you want a break from beaches and prefer something a bit more active.

You can zipline through the trees, hike shaded nature trails, or simply relax at their jungle-themed pool lounge with a cocktail.

The atmosphere feels more “hidden” and tropical compared to the coastline, and the views from the Pic Paradis area are some of the best on the island.

It takes around 30–35 minutes by taxi from the cruise port, depending on traffic and route.

👉 Explore Loterie Farm tours and zipline experiences

8. Topper’s Rhum Distillery

If you enjoy local flavors, don’t miss Topper’s Rhum Distillery, home to St. Maarten’s award-winning Caribbean rum.

You can take a guided tour, learn how their small-batch rum is produced, and sample different flavors (many of which you won’t find back home).

I visited myself — let’s just say the tasting part was very fun… and I left slightly more cheerful than I arrived. 😊

The distillery is located near Simpson Bay and takes around 25 minutes by taxi from the cruise port.

Many island tours include a quick tasting stop here, which is an easy way to combine it with sightseeing, especially if you want something cultural and spirited beyond beaches and planes.

👉 Check out Topper’s Rhum Distillery tours

9. Catamaran Cruise & Snorkeling

If you want a more active day than simply beach-hopping, a catamaran tour is one of the best ways to see the coastline and reach the island’s best snorkel spots in one go.

Tours range from 3–7 hours and often include open bar, snacks, and several swim stops — great value if you want a full, easy day without logistics.

The most popular snorkel stops usually include:

• Creole Rock (Grand Case Bay) – A tiny rocky islet in the French Marine Reserve with calm water, fish everywhere, and very good visibility.
• Tintamarre Island – Beautiful, wild and protected — sea turtles are often spotted here. Feels like a mini “desert island” moment.
• Pinel Island – Relaxed, shallow water beach stops with two casual beach bars where you can grab a cold drink between swims.

These tours are especially good if you’re traveling as a couple or group and want to avoid crowded beaches and taxis — once you step onboard, everything is arranged for you.

👉 Browse boat and snorkeling tours in St. Maarten/St. Martin