Things To Do In St Maarten Cruise Port
Published February 23, 2025
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St. Maarten (Saint Martin or Sint Maarten) is a favored spot for cruise liners in the east of Caribbean.
This island features stunning beaches, enjoyable shore excursions, great duty-free buying and shopping, and a lively cultural scene.
The well-known cruise terminal is always bustling with activity, offering numerous services and amenities for cruise travelers enjoying a day on shore.
Find out the things to do in Cruise Port St Maarten!
Beaches
Cruise Port St. Maarten boasts some of Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches.
Its numerous beaches are located in private bays, making swimming in its clear and tranquil waters typically safe.
Which beaches are the finest to explore on a cruise?
Maho Beach
This beach located in Sint Maarten is among the most renowned beaches globally.
Visitors gather at this beach to enjoy the excitement of observing planes departing and landing inside Princess Juliana Airport.
Upon landing, the planes are merely 100 feet over the shore.
When airplanes depart, they blow individuals into the waters—known as Maho Airplane Experience.
Note that Maho Beach is located inside Maho Bay, roughly 30 minutes away from the terminal in Philipsburg.
Although the beach may not be the island's most serene spot for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling, witnessing planes departing and landing is a striking venture.
Little Bay Beach
This beach is located in a crescent-shaped cove across from Fort Amsterdam, opposite the beautiful Great Bay.
Near Philipsburg, this beautiful beach features white, soft sand, tranquil waters, and numerous amenities.
Two hotels additionally face the beach, which remains accessible to people.
The beach remains perfect for families because of its tranquil waters, and it’s also appropriate for diving, snorkeling, and renting jet skis.
If you intend to stay at the beach all day, you can order cocktails, snacks, or meals from the beach's restaurant.
However, it can be quite isolated though it remains readily reachable from the St. Maarten cruise terminal.
You can either take a quick taxi journey or via Fort Amsterdam, enter the beach.
Great Bay Beach
This beach stands as the nearest beach to the St. Maarten cruise terminal and can be reached on foot.
This gorgeous expanse of white shore spans approximately one and a half miles and boasts soft sand, clear, tranquil waters, and ample amenities.
It's the ideal place to unwind and bask in the sun as you take in the sights of cruise vessels and the nearby hills.
Here, you’re also near the center of Philipsburg.
The beachfront boardwalk in Philipsburg stretches alongside the sand and features bars, cafes, and eateries.
You can even hire umbrellas, lounge chairs, jet skis, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and kayaks.
Great Bay Beach is among the top beaches on St. Maarten island in case you prefer not to go far from your cruise vessel.
Orient Bay Beach
St. Maarten’s French portion boasts part of the island’s finest beaches.
Orient Bay Beach is one of these most renowned and expansive beaches.
Situated 20 minutes away from the port, Orient Beach stands as a one-and-a-half-mile expanse of pristine blue waters and white sand.
The white sandy shore's breathtaking stretch features numerous beach clubs, bars, and eateries.
The powerful winds at this beach establish it as the top spot on the St. Maarten island for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and parasailing.
Even with numerous tourists at the Orient Bay, it never appears crowded due to its vastness.
Nonetheless, its big surf and waves indicate it mightn’t be the ideal choice if your kids wish to swim.
Grand Case Beach
To enjoy an ideal beach day without the crowds, travel northwest to this beach.
This beach features a vast shoreline that is always uncrowded.
You can relax under the sun, swim in the serene, warm, turquoise waters, or sip a cocktail in any of the various bars and restaurants.
Numerous travelers to St Martin consider Grand Case Beach among the top inside of the Caribbean.
In this area, you can likewise find traditional lolos—tiny local eateries—and savor Caribbean dishes at great prices.
It is also the ideal spot for divers looking to explore Creole Rock.
Even, certain seaside bars and restaurants provide all-inclusive packages that feature a beach towel, lounge chair, snacks, umbrella, and beverages.
Also, for a small additional fee, you can indulge in a beach massage for the utmost relaxation.
Simpson Bay Beach
This beach ranks among St. Maarten’s longest beaches.
It is just a twenty-minute drive away from the terminal in Philipsburg and is situated alongside Princess Juliana Airport.
This well-known beach features more than one mile of soft sand, beautiful turquoise seas, and a vibrant ambiance.
You can unwind on a lounger, paddleboard in Simpson Bay's serene waters, or have fun on a jet.
Also, there are many bars and eateries to enhance your beach experience.
Food Tour
Sint Maarten is among the finest Caribbean islands that offer a chance to enjoy distinctive cuisine.
The blend of Caribbean, Dutch, and French influences results in a cuisine that is unique and unavailable in other places.
In which other part of the globe can food tours feature jerk chicken, Dutch wine and cheese, a French meal, and be enjoyed with a Guava-berry rum cocktail?
Based on the particular culinary journey you select, dishes you might experience on a St. Maarten food tour are homemade banana loaf, Creole treats, Dutch wine and cheese, rum, and dining at a seaside French eatery.
Art Galleries
Exploring the art galleries in St. Maarten transforms your Caribbean cruise into an enriching cultural adventure.
Numerous art galleries can be found on the island's French side and should be part of your shore excursion.
These are 3 art galleries that are worth exploring in St. Maarten:
Silk Cotton Grove and Art Gallery: The gallery showcases the creations of Ruby Bute, a local artist.
Here, you can observe her artistic creations and premium art prints.
Also, you will have the chance to converse with her and obtain her distinctive perspective on the culture of the island.
Minguet Gallery: Situated on the primary road connecting Grand Case and Marigot, this gallery showcases the creations of Alexander Minguet, an artist.
The artworks here possess a clearly Caribbean vibe with lively hues.
Art of Sint Maarten: Situated by the coast close to Grand Case's airport, the art gallery provides a nice selection of local artworks, natural soaps, and crafts.
It’s a fantastic hidden treasure for finding genuine souvenirs.
Horse Riding
Riding horses across the beautiful St. Maarten landscapes and shorelines is a tranquil way to enjoy a day on a cruise.
Away from Philipsburg's busy crowds, you can traverse stunning winding paths to viewpoints overlooking the Caribbean.
You’ll discover the island’s distinct plant and animal life before strolling along the beach.
Then, following your hour-long equestrian trek, you can relax on any of Sint Maarten’s stunning beaches.
In certain situations, you can ride a horse while swimming in the tranquil, warm waters of the hidden bays surrounding the island.
Sea-Trek Helmet Dive
A standout and thrilling shore excursion offered at St. Maarten is the Sea-Trek Helmet Dive.
Situated at Philipsburg's Bobby’s Marina, this underwater adventure allows you to discover stunning marine life even without needing scuba diving skills.
The air pressure within the helmet maintains water at the shoulder level, enabling you to respire normally.
The trip brings you twenty feet beneath the surface though safety divers are there with you.
This dive lasts between 25 and 30 minutes, allowing you to view a submerged submarine, helicopter, aircraft, cannons, and additional artifacts.
You may also gaze at the vibrant coral fish swimming nearby.
Perfumery Visit
Making your own fragrance or scent is part of the very unique activities to enjoy on your cruise in St. Maarten.
Situated inside Grand Case, thirty minutes away from the terminal, the Tijon boutique is one perfumery that specializes in crafting personalized scents.
Knowledgeable guides assist you in grasping the perfume creation process to develop an original fragrance.
This fragrance experience allows you to select from more than 200 oils to craft a perfume or cologne that suits your personal style.
Typically, the hardest aspect for travelers is identifying their fragrance.
Nonetheless, you will get a scent to remind you of your St. Martin experience.
Snorkeling
The pristine waters encircling Sint Maarten and its coral reefs create an ideal setting for snorkeling.
One can experience colorful marine animals and stunning coral reefs up close.
St. Maarten boasts numerous excellent locations for snorkeling, with each providing a distinct experience.
The beaches close to Philipsburg that offer great snorkeling options include:
Cupecoy Beach: Bright-looking reef fish can be observed swimming among the coral reef which is shallow.
Mullet Bay: There is a reachable reef located at the northern end of the beach.
Dawn Beach: A beautiful coral reef lies fairly near the beach; however, take caution with the waves and currents.
Parotte Ville
A trip to Parotte Ville's Bird Park allows you to experience the peaceful environment of the vibrant tropical scenery of St. Maarten.
The sanctuary hosts a variety of exotic birds such as parrots, caiques, ring-necked parakeets, cockatoos, and macaws.
Knowledgeable guides there will also explain the island’s distinctive ecology.
Then, alongside guided excursions, Parotte Ville provides interactive experiences that allow you to closely feed and engage with the different birds.
The sanctuary provides a tranquil retreat from the cruise port's noise and activity.
It is a wonderful place to engage with the outdoors and admire the splendor of these magnificent birds.
This sanctuary is just a short ten-minute drive away from St. Maarten cruise port.
To go there, you can reserve a combined island tour that includes this park or catch a taxi to it.
Catamaran Tour
Multiple tour companies offer “cruise-ship” catamaran trips from Bobby Piers next to the St. Maarten cruise port.
A catamaran excursion allows you to discover the stunning, transparent waters and lively marine ecosystem surrounding St. Maarten.
Besides snorkeling, catamaran excursions can feature activities such as meals and beverages, lounging on the sun deck, unwinding on a shoreline, and exploring the top snorkeling locations in St. Martin.
Loterie Farm
This is a beautiful sanctuary situated in Saint Martin Center.
This 30-minute journey from the terminal leads you to its French side.
Referred to as a haven of calm, the farm offers chances for leisure, thrill, and exploration within a vibrant tropical rainforest of 135 acres.
The distinctive eco-friendly destination provides an opportunity to break away from the hustle of a bustling Caribbean port during a cruise day.
Enjoyable activities to experience inside Loterie Farm include zip lines across the treetop canopy and led walks along picturesque paths.
You can also unwind in a personal pool equipped with an eatery and bar offering Caribbean dishes with seafood and meat specialties.
Pinel Island
One-day trip to this Island located on St. Maarten’s northeast coast is an excellent way to enjoy a day while in port.
It is a charming, hidden haven where one can unwind far from the noise and activity of the bustling port.
The island features unspoiled beaches where tourists can bathe in sparkling waters and savor tasty food and beverages.
To get to Pinel Island, you'll have to journey to Cul de Sac village for 25 minutes. The ferry journey lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Afterward, you can snorkel inside the serene waters, relax by the beach, and savor a tasty meal at any of the seaside restaurants.
ATV Excursion
Reserving an ATV excursion is part of the finest methods to discover St. Maarten.
The four-hour trip allows you ample opportunity to savor your cruise in port.
You will travel on both the island's Dutch and French parts, take a break at the beach, snorkel near the shallow reefs, and swim inside the clear waters.
Also, an exciting ATV adventure on a quad bike or buggy allows you to experience the vibrant countryside intimately.
Off-road paths lead you through beaches and woodlands, allowing you to encounter nature, including unique birds and vibrant plant life.
Throughout the journey, guides share engaging insights regarding the island's heritage, traditions, and ecological surroundings.
Shark Diving
Shark diving ranks among the most thrilling aquatic adventures for a St. Maarten cruise day.
For professional scuba divers, this trip entails an intimate encounter with Caribbean Sharks inside their natural environment.
Then, other diving adventures may include shipwreck locations, shallower reefs, and deep coral reefs to observe ocean lifestyle.
Flying Dutchman Zip-Line
This offers an exciting, heart-racing St. Maarten adventure.
Promoted as the globe’s steepest zip-line, the experience features a 1050-foot descent in a safely harnessed seat.
Here, you will obtain some of Caribbean’s most stunning 360° panoramas, featuring Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
This Flying Dutchman Zip-line can be found at the renowned St. Maarten’s Rainforest Adventure Park.
Along with the zipline, it features Emilio Wilson Museum which offers insights into the island's slave trade.
Additionally, a chairlift named “SoualigaSky Explorer” transports you to Sentry Hill's summit for your zipline descent.
Shopping
Cruisers consider St. Maarten to be among the top shopping spots inside the Caribbean, as you will discover numerous duty-free stores scattered throughout Philipsburg.
These are some key spots for shopping in Philipsburg:
Old Street: This is a charming side street located between Back Street and Front Street.
Here, you will come across tiny shops, handmade crafts, and art studios.
Front Street: The lively street features various duty-free stores along with jewelry, handicrafts, and souvenir boutiques.
You can discover luxury items here as well.
Cruise Terminal: The cruise terminal's pier area offers a duty-free buying standard selection for jewelry, souvenirs, diamonds, and regional crafts.
Topper Rhum Distillery
It is situated 20 minutes from the dock close to Cole Bay.
Here, led distillery tours provide insight into rum-making history in Sint Maarten.
You’ll observe the distillation process firsthand, encompassing fermenting, distilling, bottling, and aging.
During this tour, you’ll also get the chance to taste a selection of rums having their signature blends.
Numerous specialty rums offered for sale here cannot be found anywhere else on the St Maarten island.
Even, certain of their rums are among the hottest spirits you will ever try.
The distillery is located close to Princess Juliana Airport and remains perfect for incorporating into a visit to Simpson Bay Beach, Maho Beach, or aquatic activities inside Cole Bay.
