Things To Do Fun Fact: St. Maarten has the unique position of having a beachside capital. Soon the sun is shining and we head to the beach for some photos. . The snorkeling is mediocre--whoever says it's "great", they probably haven't been to really great snorkeling sites. Bus, train to Philadelphia, fly 9h 50m. No. . Great care must be exercised as persons have died in the past due to the effects of the jet blast. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. St Maarten Disabled Access Review by ACV - Accessible Caribbean Vacations You will have approximately 2 hours at each beach. Note that the beaches are not wheelchair accessible due to the sand. Below is the Bus Stop at the final destination (Maho Beach) and then the Bus sign 'on the other side' of the road for the return transportation: Finally, some more visuals on our visit to Maho Beach using the local bus (December 2011): Photos: Bus ride from Downtown Philipsburg to Maho Beach (Thursday 12.29.2011), Photos: Maho Beach - seeing the aircrafts landing in St. Maarten (Thursday 12.29.2011). VISIT ST. MAARTEN / ST. MARTIN OUR ADDRESS. Philipsburg Sint Maarten Netherlands Antilles Cruise Port - WHATSINPORT.COM Thanks, "I have used this company several times. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Required fields are marked *. Should be $3 for a taxi (each way) per person or $4 for the Water Taxi ($6 round trip). Shore Excursioneer 2023. They were aware of the Harmony arrival times and told us the tour will be waiting for us to arrive. I got bored and went into the casino where he parked and won his tip. St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient and Maho Beach Half-Day Tour 349 5 hours Free Cancellation From $40.00 Half Day Snorkeling and Beach Tour/Excursion 11 3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation From $89.00 St. Maarten Maho Beach Tour 3 6 hours Free Cancellation From $40.00 Bernard's Tours Maho Beach Blast 13 4 hours Free Cancellation From $25.00 I also just read about the city bus, so we might do that unless you advise against it. Our tour guide was fun, informative and friendly. Budget-minded walkers will go less than one mile or about 10 to 12 minutes to reach the beginning of the beach. . Call 1 721 580 7594 for further assistance. 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. The trip also included beer, pop, water, and rum punch. . Id like to have spent more time with him, just looking into his blue eyes made me think he could cure Toms cold! . Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close. Porto corner-shrine distance from st maarten airport to cruise port Actually, Maho Beach can be a lovely place to swim, depending on the surf. Very fun, but that's a separate vacation not just a cruise stop. Harmony of the Seas Day 4 Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin? In case you have trouble finding it, knowledgeable island staff will help you out and direct you to the station. The beautiful waters and beaches. This beach is about 30 minutes from the cruise port via taxi along Airport road. The tour was very informative, Clive was a great tour guide. Actually, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Nap time, in style. . The Airplane Beach in St Maarten is not what I was expecting. . We rented a jet ski and had a great time on it. I have never taken the bus in St. Martin and still would be lost trying to figure that one out but others seem to do just fine with it. Therefore, be sure to gauge return time to the ship properly as there can be traffic jams on afternoons from this beach back to the port. Seemed to have a platform that looked like a dock. Two kids parasailed for $80.00 (not sure if that's good or not, they just wanted to try it). St. Maarten Amigo Tours | Orient & Maho Beach Bum Tour Second, our guide must have been filling in since it was so busy, because although he was very nice, he sometimes was kind of guessing throughout the day. If you want to try to save a few bucks, then the bus is an option. If the cost of a taxi is not prohibitive, and you want to stay mainly at Maho, I would go that route. Numerous restaurants line the boardwalk; many more restaurants plus plenty of shopping lie only one block over on Philipsburgs popular Front Street. If you are looking for a beach away from the hustle of the capital city with a Caribbean feel, then Orient Bay Beach is an amazing option to consider. Watching the planes land over our heads at the beach. Alternatively, you may use. Thank You:). By the time we got to the beach we didn't have much time to spend there. Not great for swimming or tanning. We said no thanks but they wouldn't even let us sit on a towel in the area, so we just walked around. With a car you loose rime renting, navigating to an unfamiliar area , and parking at Maho can be a royal PIA. Phillipsburg to Maho Beach - 5 ways to travel via train, bus - Rome2rio Late afternoon traffic can be a complete gridlock going thru Simpson Bay. It will cost around $6 per person. Orient Beach boasts a wide range of beach bars and restaurants, all within easy reach of the sand. In the sea, people swam and jumped in the swell whilst waiting for the next plane to land. Rick was an awesome & knowledgeable guide. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME! St.Martin - St.Maarten Taxi Tours Would anyone happen to know if Maho is walking distance from AUC? Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port - Fastest Way! Return is the same (just show up at the stand next to the maho beach bars and hop in another . It is about five miles or less than 20 minutes away. Best way to get to Maho Beach from Port - Cruise Critic Best Things to Do in St. Maarten on a Cruise (2021) But eventually the tide came in so close that there was nothing else for it but to pack up and move on. you can check the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Which beaches have the least chance of seaweed? Rejser Beskeder Log p Thank you for a great day. English-speaking certified driver and guide! Your email address will not be published. The high rocks block most of the wind, so its a good choice when the Caribbean trade winds are strong that day. Saint Martin has many other things to do besides visiting Maho Beach. Rick, our driver and guide, was very informative and had a good sense of humour, pointing out places of interest and explaining the history behind them as well as the history of the island. Our guide Frankie on the Beach Bum tour, was outstanding. Pbx: +1-721-542-0108 visitstmaarten @ shta.com MAHO BEACH - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor That's it, eleven of us. Basically, you have 4 options: Private taxi Group van leaving from the cruise port Renting a car Catching the bus/public van from Phillipsburg straight to Maho Beach For the first two options, I don't even need to explain to them because they are very easy.but also expensive. It's about a half hour drive and there are plenty taxi's at the port and Maho Beach to get you back and forth. Where Do Cruise Ships Dock at St. Martin? | USA Today Grand Case Beach Club or La Playa Orient Bay? Currency and use of debit cards on the Dutch side? One Day Itinerary in Philipsburg St Maarten - Calculated Traveller Magazine Great Bay Beachs location is ideal if you want to enjoy the beach as well as take advantage of the excellent duty free opportunities available on the island. One of the most exhilarating tours in St. Maarten: The Maho + Orient Beach Bum Lifestyle, offers four and a half hours of sun, sea and absolute fun on two of the most popular beaches on the island! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That first driver was pleasant and very knowledgeable but we weren't with him for long. Great Bay Beach stretches from St Maarten's Cruise port towards the Little Bay area. At the end closest to the beach, screens displayed the timings of the next planes to land on the landing strip to the right. Should be the same price on the return. We drove around the entire island with stops at various lookup points, with stops on Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Your email address will not be published. I think that I saw the boat that you are referring to when I was on the island earlier this month. Follow the sidewalk for about 10 minutes and you'll end up in Philipsburg. Gio was a great guide, starting off the tour with some rum punch. I would then like to walk to a beach. We actually docked a bit early, and Tom and I sprinted off the ship to the meeting location. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. and that would be the easiest way to get there and back without a hassle. This is important to remember when you have to get back to the boat. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Powered by Invision Community. There are a few nudist resorts here, and part of the beach is clothing optional. I trust that you have found this information useful if your plans are to visit a beach while on a cruise to St Maarten. :), I know it's been awhile, but thank you for the excellent directions for taking the bus and the options getting to the bus stop. We have considered renting a car as well. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. . Where do you catch a cab or the bus? Share More sharing options. There isn't a whole lot to see where the water taxi drops you off by the port, but the other water taxi from there will give you a great tour of homes of the rich and famous. Guests must notify us within 14 days after their excursion date via email for requesting a refund of booking payment made to Shore Excursioneer. taxi at the port - Tortola Forum - Tripadvisor He told us about the history of the area, he was very nice and provided us with beverages the whole time!!! I've taken taxis on the island many times, but never from the cruise port. Taxi would return you to the Cruise Facility. This is why I booked this excursion. It's about a half hour drive and there are plenty taxi's at the port and Maho Beach to get you back and forth. Nassau is a beach-lover's dream port, with options for every kind of toes-in-the-sand experiencefrom a walk-to beach to one curated specifically for tourists. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Take a taxi or the Water Taxi to downtown Philipsburg. We really need to evaluate our plan for St. Maarten. He deserves a raise! How much is water taxi to main beach from cruise - Maho Beach The airplanes make their approach directly above the beach. That was very silly of me. Call us on 305 6473141 or 1 721 5540202. . Taxi Vans on St Maarten - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog . After the running, we had to sit down and wait for the slower cruisers. This spot is a unique beach in St. Maarten, where travelers flock to experience the thrilling rush of airplanes flying extremely close overhead. Drenched, full of sand, I was laughing as Tom helped me back up. Get answers to your questions about Tortola. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. After a day at the beach the shuttle will let those who wish off in town and take the rest back to the cruise ship dock. That happened to me in Grand Cayman. . See the famous plane spotting at Maho Beach! Travelers recommend Sunset Beach Bar for the best views. Following pick-up from the cruise port at Philipsburg, transfer to Orient Beach to discover the longest beach in St. Maarten. http://dandataxiservice.com/. Fly from Philadelphia (PHL) to St Maarten (SXM) PHL - SXM. weather its renting a car, motorcycle, finding a private tour, scuba diving, snorkeling. Persons born and living on the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) carry Netherlands Antilles passports, while the French side (Saint-Martin), issues French passports and conducts its business in a more European manner. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. By Sonesta Maho Beach Resort - St. Maarten | Resort for a Day The water taxi station is located around 300 meters away from the cruise ship's dock, and to get there, you need to walk past Sharky's bar and continue straight along the path. So if you if you are considering a cruise for your next Caribbean vacation, check out How To Cruise For Less. . Two beach bars are located at either end of this beach being Sunset bar and grill and Driftwood boat bar respectively. Small bills so no one has to worry about change. So many derelict boats just floating in the water? Where does the bus drop you off and how do you know when you can get the bus back? Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Experience the highlights of St Maarten on this 5-hour shore excursion leaving from the cruise port. Clive our driver was amazing so polite and courteous he shared all his knowledge of the area and took us to some amazing places with great photo opportunities -lovely man and thoroughly enjoyed our tour. -Some can take credit cards, but assume cash (USD) will be needed unless pre-arranged. Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation! By Staying Focused, January 14, 2018 in St. Martin/St. Both beaches were great and we can scratch Maho off our bucket list. You're driver will know the drill. Finally we decided on a spot at the very far end, clear of the runway but close enough that we could make a run for it if we desperately wanted to be under the pathway of a jumbo jet. Ride in an air-conditioned van to Maho Beach on the Dutch side of this Caribbean island and Lucas Bay on the French side. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port Great day. The water taxi can bring you to a stop that gets to to other water taxi routes. . The sky might have been blue by then, but the sea was ragingly choppy and the tide swept me off my feet several times before I could even think about getting further out into the water. There are many great videos of aircraft landings on youtube. Along the way, enjoy complimentary beer, soda and water, and listen to your guide detail the rich culture and history of this divided Caribbean Island. Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Our T.I.E representative will pick you up at your hotel reception. It's around 20 dollar from cruise port to main beach (Maho Beach). Maho Beach, St. Martin | Cruise Stories All Rights Reserved. Another One Day Trip Report with Pictures Apr 26, 2023. I'm was told about a boat that picks you up near the port and goes to somewhere very near Maho beach. Antoine Restaurant: Another French culinary experience can be found at Antoine Restaurant. . From light lunches to classics like seafood terrine and lobster thermidor, Antoine's offers outdoor . This is the highest point on the island and boasts one of a kind views of St. Maarten and neighboring islands. Clive Bass was the worst guide ever. King David was the best tour guide. St Maarten Maho Beach and Lucas Bay Half-Day Sore Excursion 2023 - Viator Easy to reach customer service if needed", "I always book with ShoreExcursioneer. In this post we will explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in St Maarten on a cruise. Clive was a good driver and guide, but he spoke fairly softly and it was hard to hear him from the back seat of the van. I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? Paul and Carole Love to Travel on Instagram: "We were up at 0630 to see Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. The crowds of people waiting for planes to land took up almost the entire middle of the beach closest to the runway. Stop: 4 hours. Saw your question and wondered if you found where to take a bus to Maho? It is able to dock seven cruise ships at one time. Waters are clear and mainly calm most of the times. Leave the piers and head to the right, where theres a row of taxis waiting to leave. This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent and local foods can be found at Rosies Snack Bar. My scheduled tour was set to depart at 10AM, however my cruise arrived at 10AM. Marie Wegener - DSDS-Gewinnerin 2018 . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84535961', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise next month. (There are 6 cruise ships docked in St. Maarten today.) There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. The city is dirty, messy, hot & humid, and this is January. Does anyone know about this and what it may be called? Tom is getting sicker, and Im out of Mucinex. . The beach itself has suffered significant erosion due to the jet blast. We always suggest you depart the resort at least 2 hours prior to your ship's scheduled departure time. . Thank you SOOOOO much for the great information. $2 per person. Just taking a walk to look at the incredible yachts docked here would be fun. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. Is there Uber in St Maarten in 2023? - Caribbean Uncovered Pretty pretty Funchal We regularly stay at The Towers at Mullet Bat, adjacent to AUC, and will often walk over to Maho in the morning to grab a newspaper and perhaps a pastry. We were happy to see others waiting. Get the most outstanding and fascinating look of St Maarten's Maho beach through the eyes of Bernard's Tours. Want more tales from the Caribbean? However, kindly note that this one is the furthest on this list from the cruise port. Also, on the return, be aware that there is a drawbridge that could add some time (don't want to miss the ship.) Does anyone know how long the drive to Maho Beach in St. Maarten is from the cruise port? You can hang out at the beach or sit at the restaurant. Locate land taxi station. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111102503', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship, talk to any of the many taxi drivers there and arrange for the cost of taking you to Maho, and taking you back. I'm definitely not sure that's what I want to do. Just came back and this was our first time booking something outside of Carnival. . We've done a lot of ship based excursions but this was the best. $ 25.00 per Child (3-12) L ooking for a sensational day at the beach? Even better, this white-sand, two-mile beach is right in front of Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of the island. The place where we stopped charged $10 for 2 chairs and an umbrella but everyone received a complimentary drink. They are also used as methods of touring the island, these water taxis stop at nearby beaches and near popular shopping centers. The tour took longer than expected but was still able to get to the ship on time. It is located in the heart of the downtown capital Philipsburg and is about 3km from the cruise port. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. Re: Cruise Port to Maho Beach, St Maarten, Get answers to your questions about St Martin / St Maarten, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Browse all 24,811 St Martin / St Maarten topics . The only one that works for cruise ship passengers however departs from Red Hook, St. Thomas. St. Maarten Cruise Port: Tips, Excursions and Weather - Caribeez.com Just do your research before you go and plan it out. We drive through Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. Feel free to browse our website for more content on St Maarten, the Dutch Caribbean and rest of the Caribbean by using the search bar located at the top of this page. This is the most affordable option. About $20-30 per person. Today, there are two of everything here, school systems, utilities, housing systems, languages, even two different names for the island. We found an amazing French bakery, and the guide provided plenty of drinks all day, so we had a lovely culinary experience instead. The very handsome french pharmacist asks about his symptoms and gives me a box of liquid packets. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. . Few facilities or commercial establishments are available nearby. Additionally, there is a clothing optional area on this beach. Cupecoy is a half hour west of the port and requires a taxi or rental car to get there. A water taxi, $4 one way, continually runs from the cruise terminal to different spots at the beach promenade or you can walk ( 10 min.) LOOOOONG Trip Report: St Maarten, St Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba 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. $18 total to zip the two of you to Maho, or less if there are other people to share the ride. Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. From town a water taxi makes a quick journey back to the ship for a small fee. No accessible public transportation to get around island - Accessible public buses are not common in the Caribbean, and St. Maarten is no exception. This was our 4th booking with SE and will continue to use them when cruising! You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. Or walk into Philipsburg and catch a local bus heading to Maho Beach. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. On the French part (Saint Martin) is Marigot. $341 - $620. The chairs and umbrellas were great. If you weren't going to tip then maybe pretend you aren't from the US so they thought you had a different tradition. I did not take a taxi, I rented a car however as taxi fees are high. From my perspective the beach is just fine. Rainclouds rarely stick around for long, and we were confident that by the time we reached the airplane beach it would have passed. Round-trip transportation from your St. Maarten cruise ship terminal! 5 1/2 hr tour covering both Dutch & French highlights of the island. It is 86 dripping degrees, a slight drizzle just letting up as we ran down the gangway. Orient Bay Beach is the most popular beach in St Martin, so expect there to be a crowd. The ferry charges $4 for one-way and $8 round-trip. Guests will have a combo day at both Orient Beach and Maho Beach! 3) Le Galion Beach 4) Maho Beach to see a plane come in 5) Phillipsburg stop before heading back to the ship. - easiest taxi company to make a reservation with? I was told via email they would wait for me to disembark. The Caribe's helped too! 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. A 5-hour guided tour through the Dutch and French parts of St Maarten, Cross over to the French side of the island and explore Lucas Bay, Receive free beer, water and soda during the entire tour, Includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, Covered by Viators worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship, You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup, Saint Martin, 79 Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten, Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, No heart problems or other serious medical conditions, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers. The water was much cleaner but still rough and crowded. Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. See All St Martin / St Maarten Conversations, Please recommend an all inclusive 5* adult only resort. That's where the planes come in right over the beach! Take a taxi or the Water Taxi to downtown Philipsburg. Note that the beach is on the French side and therefore clothing is optional.
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