The Wandering Adventurer

St. Maarten is a small island shared by two countries — Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north. In one port day you can watch planes land over Maho Beach, sail to snorkeling spots, spend the afternoon on a French-side beach, or simply stroll Philipsburg’s boardwalk right by the cruise pier.

📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Viator and our own Etsy shop. If you book or buy through our links, The Wandering Adventurer earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent travel content!

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🏆 Top 5 Things to Do in St. Maarten on a Cruise Day

1. ✈️ Maho Beach Plane-Spotting

⏱ Time needed: 2–3 hours on your own, or 5–6 hours as part of an island tour | 📍 Getting there: Taxi from the port, or an island tour | 👤 Best for: Plane spotting + sightseeing

Maho Beach sits right at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana International Airport, so arriving aircraft pass low overhead on their final approach. It’s one of the most unusual beach experiences in the Caribbean, and there are beach bars nearby where you can wait between arrivals. You don’t need a tour — a taxi gets you there — but an island tour is an easy way to combine Maho with other highlights.

⚠️ Maho Beach safety: Watch aircraft from a safe position and obey all posted warnings and barriers. Don’t stand in the jet blast behind departing planes — it can knock people over and has caused serious injuries. Don’t fly a drone or throw anything toward aircraft.

💡 Insider Tip: Check the day’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) arrivals on a flight-tracking app before you leave for Maho, so you can time your visit around the flights you want to see. Road traffic to and from Maho can be slow, so leave a comfortable buffer before all-aboard.

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2. ⛵ Catamaran Snorkel Sail

⏱ Time needed: About 5 hours plus transfer | 📍 Getting there: Departure points vary — some boats leave from Philipsburg, others from Simpson Bay | 👤 Best for: Sailing + snorkeling

A catamaran day is a relaxed way to see St. Maarten’s coastline from the water, with swim and snorkel stops at sheltered bays along the way. Itineraries, group sizes and inclusions differ a lot between boats, so check the stops and whether lunch and drinks are included before you book.

💡 Insider Tip: Check where the boat departs. A tour that leaves from Simpson Bay means a taxi from the cruise port each way, so factor that into your timing. Bring a towel, reef-safe sunscreen and a cover-up.

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3. 🏖️ Orient Bay Beach Day (French Side)

⏱ Time needed: 3–5 hours including travel | 📍 Getting there: By road — taxi or an organized beach tour | 👤 Best for: French-side beach day

Orient Bay is a long, wide beach on the French side’s east coast, lined with beach clubs and restaurants that rent loungers and umbrellas. It has a livelier, more resort-style feel than the beaches near Philipsburg, and water-sports operators work along the beach.

💡 Good to know: Parts of Orient Bay have a long-standing clothing-optional tradition, particularly toward the southern end. If you go by taxi, agree the fare and a pickup time for the return before you’re dropped off, and allow for traffic on the way back to the ship.

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4. 🚤 Speedboat & Snorkeling Adventure

⏱ Time needed: About 6 hours | 📍 Getting there: Departure points vary by operator — check the listing | 👤 Best for: Smaller-boat adventure

A speedboat tour covers more ground than a sailing trip, so it’s a good choice if you want several snorkel and beach stops in one day — including offshore spots on the French side that you can’t easily reach by land.

💡 Insider Tip: Speedboat rides can be bumpy in choppy water, so check any health restrictions on the listing and sit toward the back if you’re prone to seasickness. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.

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5. 🍽️ French-Side Food & Culture (Marigot & Grand Case)

⏱ Time needed: Half a day | 📍 Getting there: Taxi or local bus to Marigot | 👤 Best for: Food + culture

If you’d rather eat your way around than spend the day on a beach or boat, head to the French side. Marigot has a waterfront market, bakeries and cafés, and Fort Louis above the harbour. Grand Case, on the north coast, is known for its restaurants and its lolos — casual open-air barbecue stands serving grilled ribs, chicken and seafood.

💡 Insider Tip: If you’d like to visit Marigot’s market, check the current market schedule before planning your day around it. Bring some euros for smaller vendors on the French side.

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🚶 Going It Alone: Independent Explorer Tips

St. Maarten works well for independent exploring, especially if you want Philipsburg or a single beach. Maho, Orient Bay and the French side all need road transport, and if you’re trying to combine several parts of the island in one port day, a tour or prearranged driver simplifies the logistics.

• Philipsburg & Great Bay Beach — easiest on your own. Walk or take the water taxi to the boardwalk, Great Bay Beach and Front Street. No transport or tour needed.
• Maho Beach — easy by taxi, or as part of an island tour.
• Orient Bay — by taxi; agree your return pickup in advance.
• Marigot & Grand Case — by taxi or local bus.
• Several island highlights in one day — an island tour makes sense.
• Snorkeling and offshore islands — book a boat trip.

Taxis wait at the cruise terminal. Fares are usually quoted per person, so confirm the fare in US dollars before you set off. Local buses run between Philipsburg and Marigot and are an inexpensive option if you’re not in a hurry.

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🍽️ What to Eat & Drink Ashore

• Lolo barbecue — Grand Case’s lolos grill ribs, chicken and lobster over charcoal, served with local sides.
• Johnny cakes — Fried dough bread, a staple on the Dutch side.
• Guavaberry liqueur — St. Maarten’s traditional spirit, made with rum and wild guavaberries. The Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street sells it.
• Conch fritters — A common Caribbean snack at beach bars and casual spots, usually with a spicy dipping sauce.
• French pastries & crêpes — Look for bakeries and cafés in Marigot and Grand Case.

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💡 Practical Tips for St. Maarten

• Allow extra return time — Road traffic can make travel times unpredictable, particularly returning from Maho or the French side. Build a comfortable buffer before your ship’s all-aboard time.
• Two currencies — The Dutch side uses the Caribbean guilder (XCG) and the French side the euro. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, but you may get change in local currency.
• Duty-free shopping — Front Street has a large concentration of duty-free jewellery, watches, liquor and other shops. Compare prices before assuming an item is a bargain.
• Bring your passport or ID as instructed — There are no border checks between the Dutch and French sides, but follow your cruise line’s guidance on what to carry ashore.
• Check boat departure points — Many boat tours leave from Simpson Bay or Cole Bay rather than Philipsburg, so allow time for the taxi.

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❓ St. Maarten Cruise Port FAQ

Where do cruise ships dock in St. Maarten?

Most cruise ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility on Great Bay, next to Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

Can you walk from the St. Maarten cruise port to Philipsburg?

Yes. Philipsburg’s boardwalk, Great Bay Beach and Front Street are within walking distance of the cruise terminal. You can also take the water taxi across Great Bay.

Can you visit Maho Beach without a shore excursion?

Yes. Maho Beach is an easy taxi ride from the port. An island tour is useful if you want to combine it with other stops. Obey the posted warnings and don’t stand in the jet blast.

How do you get from the cruise port to Orient Bay?

By road. Take a taxi from the cruise terminal and arrange your return pickup in advance, or book an organized beach tour that includes transport. There’s no regular water taxi from the cruise port to Orient Bay.

Do you need a shore excursion in St. Maarten?

Not necessarily. Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach are easy on your own, and Maho Beach and Orient Bay can be reached by taxi. For catamaran or speedboat snorkeling you’ll want to book a trip, and an island tour is the easiest way to see several highlights in one day.

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This post contains affiliate links to Viator and our own Etsy shop. The Wandering Adventurer may earn a small commission if you book or buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent travel content!