One Day St. Maarten Cruise Visitors Itinerary: Catching “The Big Five” Beaches in One Day Trip
Is it possible to visit the five most famous beaches of St. Maarten in a one day cruise visit? It definitely is. It just requires a lot of discipline. Discipline not to jump into every turquoise bay you see – as you will pass more than just these five sandy shores en route. Discipline not to get stuck in a restaurant too long – as the “culinary capital of the Caribbean” will present you dozens of great eateries alongside below proposed travel plan. But if you feel strong enough to withstand above sirens calling, embark!
For this realistic ambition to succeed, we do advise to take an experienced taxi driver. Using a St. Maarten car rental or bus for the first time might take away precious time to complete this sand-between-your-toes home run.
1. Orient Bay Ouverture
So we’re game? We suggest famed Orient Bay to be your fast morning stop for breakfast. This famous cove is about 30 minutes from the St. Maarten cruise port. Right before you reach it, turn right and visit Amuseum Naturalis for a free shot of St. Maarten / St. Martin culture. Spend 10 minutes on this former plantation house with free exhibits on local nature, culture and architecture and you will not regret it.
Next door Orient Bay Beach is famous for many things: its many restaurants, its clothing optional beaches and watersports offer just being a few. French breakfasts can be found galore along the central square of the resort town. The square is right on the beach. Take a look – and have your cab driver set course for base two on this home run – about 30 minutes away.
2. A Mullet Bay Beach Dip
Out of the five famous beaches of St. Maarten / St. Martin, Mullet Bay Beach will be the most tranquil one. A reason to use this awarded beach for a short dip in the Caribbean. Occasionally used for surfers when the swell is right, this beach is famous too because of its adjacent golf course.
3. Maho Beach – Lunching With Landings
By now, it should be between 12 and 1pm – a perfect timing to reach beach number three – the most famous of all, Maho Beach. Lunching at friendly Tortuga Maho gives you a great opportunity to open the arrivals and departures overviews of airplanes right beyond its fence. Don’t worry – you will not be the first Maho visitor to shortly run out of this great restaurant for a short selfie with a landing or departing boeing 787.
4. Kim Sha Beach Cocktail
Kim Sha Beach is the smallest of the “big 5”, and not top 5 largest beaches on island by far. But its reputation compensates for its size. Options to go kayaking, having been home for many years to the Heineken Regatta and being the most popular beach of the bustling Simpson Bay Resort Area have all helped its claim to fame. Did we mention that megayachts entering the Simpson Bay Lagoon all pass by this beach to wait for the bridge to open?
Kim Sha Beach is a great view from a beach chair would you have had time for it. But remember you are on a mission – for now, take a cocktail and selfie at Buccaneer, and prepare for the last stretch of 30 minutes to Philipsburg.
5. Great Bay Beach – Finish at Front Street
By now, if you completed above journey in a disciplined manner, it should be around three o’ clock. If under – congratulations- you still have a beach day in front of you at beach #5, rivaling Maho Beach in fame. And it is only a 20 minute walk back to the ship.
Due to its proximity to the cruise port, Great Bay Beach is one of the busiest amongst on island – but far larger than #1 Maho Beach. Two miles of beach clubs to choose from, museums, shops and monuments await you on this pristine beach alongside the Dutch side capital.
Don’t push it though – get back on the ship on time! You truly had a deep dive into the most famous five beaches, but there is 32 more. If you feel like visiting St. Maarten / St. Martin for a longer time, see our resorts, boutique hotels, villas and real estate sections.
Back to VISIT St Maarten / St Martin Main Page
Back to VISIT St Maarten / St Martin Blog Page
General Information About St. Maarten / St. Martin Page