7 Best-Day-Ever Things to Do in St. Maarten on a Cruise!
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Visiting St. Maarten on a cruise and wondering what to do? Lucky you!
You can explore not just one, but two island countries in a single day – Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin.
We’ve visited just for the day by cruise (like on this Star Clippers sailing cruise from St. Maarten), and also stayed for longer periods on this dual-nation Caribbean gem.
Below, we share what to do in St. Maarten for a day on a cruise – from DIY relaxation on Great Bay Beach (right near the pier) to farther-afield island adventures (like speedboat beach-hopping and epic plane spotting!) worth every minute.
And because your time ashore is limited, we’ve cherry-picked the very best experiences that make the most of your hours ashore – and still get you back onboard in time!
🏝️Best things to do in St. Maarten on a cruise
Here’s a quick mini-guide to plan your perfect cruise day!
🏖️ Absolute best activities
We’re big on beachy fun, so these are our all-time favorite picks for cruise visitors:
- Beach-hop on a speedboat snorkeling adventure
- Chill at beautiful Orient Beach
- Hit Maho Beach (jet spotting!) and Orient Bay
- Enjoy a fab beach day at Pinel Island
Discover more: The island’s best boat trips and 25 Unbeatable things to do in St. Martin/St. Maarten.
🚗 How long to the beaches?
St. Maarten traffic can snarl into a slow crawl – especially when multiple ships are in port. Even short drives take much longer than Google Maps show.
- Great Bay Beach – 15- to 20-minute walk (or 5-minute water taxi ride)
- Maho Beach – 20- to 30-minute drive (budget 45 to 60 minutes with traffic)
- Mullet Bay – 30-minute drive (budget 1+ hour)
- Orient Beach – 25- to 30-minute drive (budget 1+ hour)
- Grand Case Beach – 30-minute drive (budget 1+ hour)
🏨 Pre- or post-cruise stay
- Holland House Beach Hotel – On Great Bay Beach, walking distance to the port (ideal for a night).
- Hotel L’Esplanade – Staying longer? We love this boutique gem in Grand Case.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten, cruise port guide
Cruise ships dock on the south coast of the island at the AC Wathey Cruise Port in Philipsburg – the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. No tendering is needed. (Yay for easy access!)
Once you step off the gangway, you’re instantly in vacation land – Harbor Point Village. A replica of Philipsburg’s old Caribbean-style architecture, it welcomes with WiFi, duty-free shops, cafés and musicians.
It’s also the main hub for excursions, with pick-up points and a taxi stand. From here, you can walk, grab a shared cab or hop aboard a water taxi to town.
Keep in mind that it gets very busy when multiple ships are docked – and we’ve found it a bit of a zoo trying to find our meeting point. If you’re joining a tour, give yourself extra time to navigate the crowds.
Getting to town and Great Bay Beach
Walk to the town and beach
It’s a 15- to 20-minute walk along the harbor (turn left as you exit the port gates) to reach downtown Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach, the beach closest to the port.
We’ve only ever walked – our way to try and burn off some of those ship calories! But fair warning… There’s little shade, and it’s hot. Definitely wear a sunhat and bring a bottle of water with you.
Take the water taxi
Not in the mood to walk? Take a 5-minute water taxi ride instead – the water taxi terminal is just beside the port. The fare is $7 USD per person (all-day pass), and ferries drop you at three handy spots in Philipsburg:
- Bobby’s Marina – The start of town and the Philipsburg Boardwalk
- Captain Hodge Pier – Right in the middle of Great Bay Beach
- Walter Plantz Wharf – At the far end of the Boardwalk
Money tips for your day ashore
- U.S. dollars are accepted just about everywhere, and most prices are listed in USD.
- Bring small bills for beach vendors, markets and tipping.
- Need cash? You’ll find a currency exchange booth at the cruise port.
7 Favorite St. Maarten activities for cruise passengers
1) Stroll about Philipsburg
The lively Dutch capital is tailor-made for wandering.
It’s laid out in a tidy grid of four long parallel streets, sandwiched between Great Bay Beach and Great Salt Pond (where salt was extracted and exported years ago).
Front Street hums with duty-free shops selling everything from jewelry to rum cakes, while Back Street (immediately behind Front Street) offers a peek at local life with colorful boutiques and cafés. Don’t miss the cute white Sint Maarten Courthouse.
Stroll the beachfront Boardwalk too.
This broad pedestrian promenade stretches about 1½ miles along Great Bay Beach. Lined with beach bars and parasols, it’s a great place to sip a frozen Pina Colada and watch the cruise ships glinting in the bay.
2) Kick back on Great Bay Beach
The most convenient sandy hangout close to the cruise ship pier is the 2-mile-long stretch of Great Bay Beach.
Why this beach?
- It’s so easy to get to – It’s only a 15-to 20-minute walk from the pier (or a quick water taxi ride).
- Clear calm waters – The beach is ideal for swimming and for families with children.
- Loads of rental beach chairs and umbrellas – Plenty of friendly folks are ready to set you up with loungers and an umbrella. (Most rentals are run by the restaurants along the Boardwalk just across from the sand.)
Expect to pay around $15 to $20 USD total for two chairs, an umbrella and a Wi-Fi code for the day. Some places charge closer to $25 or $30 if you want to add a bucket of cold beer.
Prefer something pre-arranged?
Big Bastard’s Beach Bar offers a handy package you can book ahead – $60 USD for two people. It includes:
- Two chairs and an umbrella
- Bucket of five Carib beers (or two cocktails)
- Wi-Fi, washroom access and attentive beachside food-and-drink service
Big Bastard’s is located on Great Bay Beach, about 2 blocks from the Captain Hodge Pier water taxi drop-off.
Sure, we think there are even prettier beaches on the island.
But if your time in port is tight – or you don’t feel like prebooking a shuttle (or tour) or taking a taxi to reach, for example, Orient Beach (see #5) – Great Bay Beach is your hassle-free option.
3) Beach-hop on a thrilling speedboat-and-snorkeling adventure
Of all the great boat tours in St. Marten, this one’s a standout. And it’s perfect for cruise passengers – your on-time return is guaranteed!
You’ll hop aboard a speedboat for an unforgettable 6-hour beach-hopping adventure with Captain Bob’s Tours – rated 5 stars by more than 4,300 happy guests! You’ll make five amazing stops around the island (both the Dutch and French sides).
Highlights include:
- Cruising past Simpson Bay
- Snorkeling with sea turtles at Tintamarre Island
- Swimming and relaxing at Pinel Island
- Snorkeling at Creole Rock
- Floating with “a noodle and a beer” in Mullet Bay
- Watching planes land just overhead at Maho Beach
- Fresh lunch, snacks and all drinks
Sold out? Or you’d prefer a chill sail instead?
This family-friendly 52-foot luxury catamaran trip (limited to 30 guests) features a fun Tarzan swing to splash into the water, stops at Mullet Bay and Little Bay, top-shelf drinks and lunch grilled onboard.
4) Get jet-blasted watching planes at Maho Beach
Who’s up for some awesome plane spotting?
Maho Beach is the only beach in the world where planes roar in right over your head as they land.
Thanks to its location directly beside Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), incoming planes skim just a few feet above the sand before touching down. It’s wild, it’s windy, it’s a total bucket-list thrill!
Just know… Maho isn’t exactly the island’s best beach for swimming or lounging. It’s small, gets packed when cruise ships are in and the jet blast can be seriously sandy.
Frankly, we prefer sipping a cold one from a shady perch (like the Sunset Bar, covered below) – and watching others get sandblasted. But, hey, you might be up for the full-throttle thrill!
Where to stake out a great viewing spot
- Sunset Bar & Grill – It’s the famous one, with great food, drinks and tunes. They have a posted flight-arrival board, so you know exactly when the big jets are coming in.
- Driftwood Boat Bar – This smaller rustic bar, with cool beachy vibes, is at the other side of the beach. Drinks are cheaper.
How to get to Maho Beach
The easiest way is to jump into a taxi. (It’s too far to walk.) Go to the cab stand at the cruise port to get one. The cost is about:
- $20 to $30 – For a one-way ride
- $15 to $20 p.p. return – For a shared van shuttle (you’re given a wristband for your return transfer)
It’s normally a 20- to 30-minute drive from the cruise port, but when ships are in port, expect a 40-minute crawl (sometimes even up to an hour), depending on the time of day.
Easiest option: Maho Beach plane spotting tour
Don’t want the hassle of planning it yourself? Book this Maho Beach return transfer (with a return-to-your-ship-on-time guarantee). Meet your minibus shuttle at the port:
- Departs the cruise port – 10:00 am (arrive Maho Beach around 11:00 am)
- Pickup from the beach – 2:45 pm (returning to the port roughly an hour later)
5) Chill at Orient Beach
About 7 miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port, Orient Bay Beach on the French side is known as the “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean.” Its 1½-mile ribbon of white powder-soft sand and turquoise water is one of the most beloved stretches of beach on the island.
You might encounter some of that pesky Caribbean sargassum, but beach clubs and hotels do a good job of raking the sand and keeping it fairly seaweed-free.
Orient Bay Beach clubs
A string of fun and fabulous beach clubs lines the bay.
At the north end, near the main parking area, Coco Beach Club is the luxe option, with thick-cushioned wood platform loungers. It’s also the priciest – currently from $60 up to $80 USD for two people.
We were told the Coco Beach Club owner also runs several of the other clubs along Orient Bay – where you usually can get two chairs and an umbrella for about $30 USD ($35 for front row).
Lately, though, we’ve heard some places charge $40 USD for two, so rates definitely fluctuate. (A textbook case of supply-and-demand, island style! )
Starting from the north end after Coco Beach:
- Kko Beach Bar – Our fave when staying on the island, with friendly service and French fusion food
- Bikini Beach – Known for its seafood and lively vibe (rent jet skis or play volleyball)
- La Playa – French and Mediterranean fare
- Kontiki Beach – Bright red umbrellas and loungers (sushi and fresh salads are popular here)
- Wai Plage – More casual, with Caribbean dishes
Farther down, after Wai Beach, you’ll find more budget-friendly options – like Orange Fever, with its bright orange umbrellas and lower chair-and-umbrella rates. (The trade-off is that the beach is narrower here.)
At the far south end is the nude section near Club Orient. Beach chairs are available here too if you’d like to bare it all, but also have a lounger to lie on!
Taxi to the beach
It may look close on a map, but allow 25 to 30 minutes for the taxi ride – and up to an hour or more when traffic is heavy (especially on multi-ship days). St. Maarten traffic can be a slow-moving beast!
Taxi cost to Orient Beach:
- $30 to $45 USD – One-way trip
- $10 p.p. – For a shared taxi van, when available
Essential tip: Leave the beach at least 2 hours before your all-aboard time to avoid back-to-the-ship-on-time stress.
Pre-booked Orient Beach shuttle
Bernard’s Tours – rated highly on TripAdvisor – offers a return beach shuttle ($35 USD p.p.), guaranteeing a prompt return to your ship.
You’ll leave the cruise port at 10:00 am and have 3½ to 4 hours at the beach, with drop-off and pick-up at various beach clubs along Orient Bay.
Note: Beach chairs and umbrellas are not included – rent your own if you wish.
Great combo tour! Maho Beach and Orient Beach
Want two iconic beaches in one shot? This fan favorite (and fun!) half-day beach tour starts at Orient Beach, then swings over to Maho Beach to watch planes thunder overhead. It includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off at the cruise port
- 4 hours of beach time, with 2 hours at each beach
- Rum punch on the way
Geared to cruise passengers, it’s a fun relaxed way to sample two of St. Maarten’s hottest beaches – without worrying about logistics.
6) Blend island sightseeing with beaches and markets
So you want to add some island sightseeing to your beach time?
Well, you can do a little bit of everything on this shared sightseeing, beach and shopping tour! Bernard’s Tours – the same folks known for their Orient Beach shuttles (mentioned in #5) – get rave reviews for this “Adventure Island Tour.”
You’ll pass through Simpson Bay Marina to ogle the mega yachts docked here. Then you’ll swing by charming Grand Case and Marigot (French St. Martin’s capital) to stroll the open-air market, browse for souvenirs and try local pastries and cocktails.
Designed specifically for cruise ship passengers, it’s 4 to 4½ hours long. And, yes, it includes a stop at Orient Beach to swim, plus time at Maho Beach for some plane spotting too.
Best of St. Maarten private sightseeing tour
If you’re traveling with family, a group of friends or another couple, this private customizable island tour (recommend by 98% of travelers) is terrific value.
Explore the island your way, at your own pace. Maybe?
- Swim at beautiful Mullet Bay
- Savor French cuisine in Grand Case
- Watch the kitesurfers at Orient Beach
- Go plane-spotting at Maho Beach
7) Enjoy a beach day at Pinel Island
Spending a day at the little barefoot-beauty of Pinel Island (Ile Pinel) on French St. Martin is pure joy. We loved it!
We even spotted wild donkeys hanging out near the boat dock.
To get there on your own, you have to take a small passenger ferry from Cul-de-Sac.
But why deal with taxis, ferry schedules and beach chair reservations when this super-easy all-inclusive guided Pinel Island tour handles everything for you?
It includes:
- Cruise port pickup and drop-off
- Private boat transfer to Pinel island
- Reserved beach chairs and umbrellas
- Scenic guided hike, with panoramic Caribbean sea views at the top!
- Guided snorkeling along the underwater snorkel trail (see sea turtles and colorful reef fish)
- Feeding friendly iguanas and tortoises on the beach
- Fresh fruit and refreshments
- Delicious Caribbean lunch option (you can upgrade to fresh grilled lobster too!)
- Complimentary professional digital photos
Because it’s a full 6-hour experience, we suggest you only book this tour if your ship departs 5:00 pm or later. Otherwise, tuck Pinel Island onto your future St. Martin wish list!
Now you know what to do in St. Maarten on a cruise!
St. Maarten is a knockout cruise port, whether you want beach bliss, adventure or easy DIY exploring. Pick your vibe, dive in and you’ll sail away with sun-kissed memories that linger long after you’ve unpacked your cruise suitcase.
See our other St. Martin/St. Maarten travel guides
- Planning Your Trip to St. Maarten and St. Martin
- 25 Unbeatable Things to Do in St. Martin/St. Maarten
- Which is Better? St. Martin or St. Maarten?
- 7 Awesome Boat Tours From Dutch St. Maarten
- 17 Best Hotels and Resorts on St. Martin/St. Maarten
- Best Places to Stay in French Saint Martin
- 10 Top Restaurants in Grand Case for Food Lovers
- L’Esplanade Review: A Perfect Boutique Hotel in Grand Case
- 7 Reasons You’ll Love Grand Case Beach Club
- Review of Esmeralda Resort in Orient Bay
- Le Petit Hotel: A Beachfront Gem in Grand Case
Pin this St. Maarten cruise port guide for later!
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→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, offering loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find great discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets are often non-refundable. If you want more flexibility, it’s usually worth booking directly with the airline, even if it costs a bit more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
→ eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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