Many Things to Do on a Small Island

St. Maarten has a very high number of returning guests and often ranks as one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean. Research into what makes St. Maarten stand out points to various factors. One of them is the wide variety of  things to do on the  island, on the water, and under the water, all within a very compact area.

The value of this is especially true for cruise visitors looking for things to do in port. It makes everything you want to do, whether on the Dutch side or French side, stress-free when it comes to getting back to the ship on time. Every beach or shore excursion is feasible within your time in this port of call. Over time, many companies have adjusted their schedules to make it even easier for cruise guests to return timely to the Philipsburg area.

Port of Fun Philipsburg

Adding to this peace of mind is the proximity of the cruise port to Philipsburg. Many cruise ports are located in the proverbial “middle of nowhere,” creating tension for cruise passengers who worry about returning from their excursions on time. Not in Philipsburg. Here, the combination of the lively and interesting beachside capital, its beach, and its bars does the opposite: it provides a fun “waiting room” that helps you make the most of your day on the island until the very last moment.

On Great Bay Beach, along the entire town, and on its adjacent boardwalk, you can continuously see your ship. Knowing it is only an easy 15-minute walk away gives you the assurance during your time in town that you will be back on time — visually, even.

Combine a Shore Excursion and Philipsburg for Peace of Mind

A very common day plan is to do an island excursion first and then linger in “town,” as locals call it. You can easily take an island tour or catamaran excursion, go ziplining, watch airplanes land at Maho Beach, visit Orient Bay, or even take a city trip to Marigot, and then cool off with a drink on the Philipsburg boardwalk within walking distance of your ship.

A combination like this also helps avoid the one small challenge between you and a timely return: traffic. The island has no highways, only two-lane roads. Because it is small but popular and busy, one car with a flat tire can slow down traffic for a while. The hours between 4 and 5 p.m. are rush hour, and by returning earlier and ending your day with a Philipsburg cocktail, you can still be well on time for embarkation.

Most activities, towns, and beaches are only about half an hour away from the port. As a rule of thumb, consider spending half your day on a morning excursion, as this is the cooler part of the day, and then move to the Port of Call Philipsburg area for additional shopping, activities, or even lunch at one of its many beach clubs or restaurants.

Private St. Maarten Cruise Excursion vs. Ship Excursion

Experienced cruise fans will already notice another advantage of the layout of St. Maarten: there is no need to take a ship excursion to make sure you are back on time if you follow the recommendations above. Instead, you can purchase excursions directly from local providers in advance.

A private St. Maarten cruise excursion can be far more affordable compared to buying the same trip through the cruise line.This is even more true when you use local discount programs to purchase your shore excursion, such as the free Visit VIP Pass or StMaartenAuction.com.

Planning a Private St. Maarten Cruise Excursion

Taxis can help you reach and customize your own tour. They are often used to providing a personal route of choice and can be found in the cruise port. On the you can see how busy the port will be. On a busy day, it is highly recommended to book tours of choice in advance.

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