St. Maarten Cruise Day Without an Excursion: DIY Guide
How To Explore The Island On Your Own
St. Maarten offers a wide variety of excursions for cruise visitors, but there are also many other ways to enjoy your cruise day without booking one. The proximity of the St. Maarten Cruiseport to capital Philipsburg, beaches and attractions makes that an easy feat, the more as St. Maarten is considered one of the safest islands in the region.
Below are some ideas for having a great day on the island on your own. Note these suggestions presume the overall good St. Maarten weather conditions. If you run into an occasional shower, also see our tips what to do on a rainy day.
1. A DIY Beach Day
Two beaches are within walking distance of the cruise port. Great Bay Beach is about a 15-minute walk away, while Little Bay Beach is around a 45-minute walk.
Of course, you can also choose a beach that is accessible by taxi or public-private minibus.
Taxis are available at the cruise port. You can ask the driver to pick you up at a specific time from your chosen beach. To be even more certain that you return to the ship on time, consider visiting a beach where taxis are usually available nearby, such as Maho Beach or Mullet Bay Beach.
Many taxi drivers also offer a day rate, allowing them to be at your disposal throughout the day.
Bus station Emmaplein is not far from the cruise port. From here, small buses depart that can also help to get you beaches. The line to Maho / Cupecoy brings you to Kim Sha Beach, Maho Beach and Mullet Bay.
2. A Day in Philipsburg
Philipsburg has plenty to see and do, and its easy-to-navigate layout allows you to create your own itinerary.
The town’s main attractions are located in a convenient area and run parallel to each other. Great Bay Beach is a calm and beautiful spot for swimming, with the Boardwalk and its many bars and beach clubs right alongside it. Just off the beach is Front Street, the world-renowned shopping street famous for its jewelry stores. Running parallel to Front Street is Backstreet, where locals go for their daily errands and shopping.
The town also has many monuments scattered throughout its streets, as well as “stegen” (alleys) that sometimes hide interesting attractions, such as the St. Maarten Heritage Museum.
3. Fort Amsterdam
Located next to Little Bay Beach, you will find Fort Amsterdam. This historic fort offers beautiful views over the cruise port on the opposite side of the bayand is free to enter.
It is a great stop for history lovers and those looking for a scenic viewpoint, known for its vast amount of Brown Pelicans. If the 45-minute walk from Great Bay feels like too much, consider taking a taxi to Fort Amsterdam and walking back through Philipsburg afterward.
You can also easily combine this visit with a few relaxing hours at Little Bay Beach.
4. Take a hike!
To the east of the port, you can do the Natural pool hike. This leads you along the rugged, beautiful Atlantic coast. Alongside the path over the cliffs you find the namesake Natural Pool, a bathing opportunity carved out by nature. Given the fierce currents, it might however be a better idea to circle back to Philipsburg via Guana Bay and take a dive in the much calmer waters of Great Bay. Given the hot Caribbean weather, it is recommended to take a bottle of water on your hike.
In all four day day plans, you do not have to worry about being back to the ship on time. See for the cruise ship calendar when your ship arrives and departs.
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