St. Maarten is one of the most popular destinations for eastern and southern Caribbean cruises, so cruise visitors need to know that Great Bay Beach is one of the best beaches near the cruise port. Take the bus from Easton, PA to Newark, NJ. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-84557721', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');St. Maarten airport website for times of arrivals. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. and that would be the easiest way to get there and back without a hassle. The beach itself is fine, but you could do better depending on your interests. The drive is about 20 minutes without traffic. Our content provides helpful and meaningful tips to individuals who want to relocate or travel to the region. I will say that you need to be on the beach to get the "airplane" experience. It is easy to spend the day going back and forth between the beach and shopping or dining. Hawkers in front of the cafes will sometimes offer them for free to visitors who buy food and beverages. How to Get from St Maarten Airport to Hotels Taxis are readily available at the cruise port, and at Maho. Mass market cruise lines dock at the A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility . Today, its a bay of abandon boats. What are our options for getting to Maho Beach from the port? I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? 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. Some people go as part of their private tour. Will we see planes land while we are at Maho Beach? Duce tells us that when hurricane Irma did a dead-on hit of the island, so many boats, homes and resorts were damaged. Actually it's a great beach from swimming most of the time. Also note that the local bus is actually a VAN with a sign for destination placed in the front window (similar van to most of the 'taxi"): Once you reach the Back Street in Downtown (Philipsburg), if you see a van like the one above, you can also simply wave and the driver will stop and pick you up. Another beach that is well loved by both locals and visitors to the island is Mullet Bay Beach. And yet there really is just a simple wire fence separating the road from the runway. Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. Guana Bay Beach, located on the southeast coast of the island, offers great views of St. Barthelemy and is used for wind and kite surfing. We were happy to see others waiting. We have considered renting a car as well. From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. Then one thing to include in your list of things to do is to visit one of the islands finest beaches. No. By Aburkhard7, November 19, 2022 in St. Martin/St. The tour was very informative, Clive was a great tour guide. Pretty pretty Funchal Stop: 4 hours. I'm was told about a boat that picks you up near the port and goes to somewhere very near Maho beach. Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location. Leave the piers and head to the right, where theres a row of taxis waiting to leave. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. What are the ins and outs of taking a taxi? I would look behind the Court House for a sign labeled Bus Halte. I would do this trip again without a moments hesitation. The water, though, is nice, fairly calm, and enjoyable for swimming. It is popular with hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Therefore, depending on the time of year that you visit expect there to be a crowd. definitely take a taxi. It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport adjacent to the beach. Tell the driver Maho Beach and you pay when you get off. I enjoyed the experience a must see if visiting the island. Next, we head to Marigot, still on the French side. Our guide Frankie on the Beach Bum tour, was outstanding. The waves made Orient Beach fun. In this post we will explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in St Maarten on a cruise. The beach itself has suffered significant erosion due to the jet blast. Large Anse is the best beach near to Grenada cruise port. Mayo Beach has to be experienced although very busy. Actually, Maho Beach can be a lovely place to swim, depending on the surf. My impression of the island overall is better now that Ive seen it all. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Graced with a long stretch of white powdery sand beach and crystal clear blue waters, Orient beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It is very close to the cruise terminal and you can get there either by water taxi for $7 with a return ticket or pay $5 for a one way. We found our tour driver who introduced himself as Duce. 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. Duce has a cooler of soda, beer, and homemade rum punch he calls Duce Juice. I also just read about the city bus, so we might do that unless you advise against it. Leave the piers and head to the right, where there's a row of taxis waiting to leave. where could we get a bus from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Simpson Bay Beach is a long half-moon of white sand located by a fishing village. Have them take you to the sunset beach bar. This was our second trip to St. Marteen, and we wanted to see both of these famous beaches. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME! From $ 40.00. The following are some of our articles which we believe may be suitable for you. . We had a great time and with a great driver - unique local history, lots of laughs, and 2 fun beaches to be at! weather its renting a car, motorcycle, finding a private tour, scuba diving, snorkeling. Two kids parasailed for $80.00 (not sure if that's good or not, they just wanted to try it). When the owners of the boats collected on their insurance, they just left the boats were they were on moved on. Pay attention to the signs, pals! The resort is located about 25 minutes from your cruise port. By Staying Focused, January 14, 2018 in St. Martin/St. sara what messages do you have today in spanish; chicago fire paramedic list; grimsby telegraph deaths; letchworth recycling centre webcam Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. St Maarten is loved by tourists and visitors to the island for its bustling night life, diverse dining options and its exciting duty free shopping experience. 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. Recommended Posts. Great Bay Beach is the closest beach to the cruise terminal in St Maarten. It does not get deep for quite a while so kids can safely enjoy the waves. Want more tales from the Caribbean? 00 1 (721) 522-8585. When your ship docks at St.Maarten cruise port, you will get a vehicle just for your group. I need some help for deciding between Maho, Mullet or Orient???? If not, a quick walk out to the nearby hotels will find you one. A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the tour operator or guest may send doctor's note). There were a few small boat tours which started near the cruise terminal and anchored (their is no pier there to dock) for a couple of hours and serveda snack. resort gates. The high rocks block most of the wind, so its a good choice when the Caribbean trade winds are strong that day. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We rented a jet ski and had a great time on it. . The Airplane Beach in St Maarten is not what I was expecting. The pick up and return to the dock was timely and easy. This is a popular spot to catch great views of Simpson Bay. Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world due to its location near the runway of the Princess Juliana Airport. They did send another driver, however, we missed out on a lot because of the time lost. As such many individuals are fascinated with plane spotting in this area. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Around The Caribbean is a resource for persons who want to learn more about the Caribbean islands. Another One Day Trip Report with Pictures Apr 26, 2023. The Caribe's helped too! In 2017 a woman from New Zealand was killed when she was thrown backwards by a jet blast from a Caribbean Airlines flight which was taking off. Not great for swimming or tanning. She pointed to a man in a red cap. It is about seven miles north of the Philipsburg cruise port. 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. I didnt find any app for St. Maarten taxis. Thanks very much for all the helpful tips. Which beaches have the least chance of seaweed? One price ($7) will do you for the day and you'll get a great view of the harbor. . Pic Paradis is located between Grand Case and Marigot on the French side. Otherwise, look for signs at the mall pointing toward the $5 water taxi. Should be the same price on the return. I don't want to worry this time. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Numerous restaurants line the boardwalk; many more restaurants plus plenty of shopping lie only one block over on Philipsburgs popular Front Street. . Call 1 721 580 7594 for further assistance. Thanks again! Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. Just do your research before you go and plan it out. I am visiting via cruise ship and will be taking a taxi to AUC medical school for a tour. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! . 1111 west Road SXM 8007 St. Maarten. It is narrow, generally extremely crowded (especially when there are lots of cruise ships in port), and there are plenty of tacky bars offering neon-coloured cocktails, beers, and baskets of fries and chicken wings. Maho beach is a manic place but worth experiencing. Tom is getting sicker, and Im out of Mucinex. At first I was a bit nervous to book at 3rd party excursion but the price was right and we got everything we hoped for. the beaches were great and our driver/host, was even better. This will be our first time in St. Martin/Marteen. Where does the bus drop you off and how do you know when you can get the bus back? Sent from my SM-T350 using Forums mobile app. I will be traveling alone and was concerned about the cost of a taxi round trip. 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. About 4 hours 30 min. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less. They are also used as methods of touring the island, these water taxis stop at nearby beaches and near popular shopping centers. Fun way to see both the Dutch and French sides of the Island. Round-trip transportation from your St. Maarten cruise ship terminal! Allnecessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket. Just walk off the ferry dock and likely someone will be asking you if you need a taxi before you make it to the end. That happened to me in Grand Cayman. This spot is a unique beach in St. Maarten, where travelers flock to experience the thrilling rush of airplanes flying extremely close overhead. The airplanes make their approach directly above the beach. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. Mullet Bay looks the closest but I have heard it is easier to get a return taxi to the cruise port from Maho. Take advantage of water sports facilities (own expense) such as jet skis, sailboats, paragliding and kids activities. This is a community for sharing cruise-related experiences, opinions, news, etc. Maarten. BTW, for what it is worth, the beach is just fine. Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator to run the excursion. Both beaches were great and we can scratch Maho off our bucket list. Meet your local guide at the cruise port in Philipsburg and climb aboard your comfortable van for a half-day exploration of St Maarten. The pathway along the green wire fence with the car park on your right, leads to the EDC bus parking area. The water taxis run every 5-10 minutes and cost $5 per person one-way. Our entire family seemed to get an endless supply of pop, water and beer on this tour. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. With a car you loose rime renting, navigating to an unfamiliar area , and parking at Maho can be a royal PIA. This is important to remember when you have to get back to the boat. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. We had a group of 6 and everyone enjoyed it. Our bus driver and tour guide Eddie Miller was outstanding as he was informative and hilarious. Taxi Service and Tours in St.Martin - St.Maarten. The driver was informative, fun and very accommodating to our needs. One of the most exhilarating tours in St. Maarten. For the St. Maarten Beach Bum Combo to Orient and Maho Beaches,we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if: Looking for a sensational day at the beach? Currency and use of debit cards on the Dutch side? And use your heads! I have been there before and rented a car, It is very easy to get around, you have a map and you just follow it, you get lost you just ask for directions. 6 of us in total on this tour. Also, is it difficult to catch a cab back in the afternoon? It is Americanized enough that it is anticipated. The beautiful waters and beaches. The journey is way too long to walk it, and costs around $15-20 per person depending on how many are in the car. Very fun, but that's a separate vacation not just a cruise stop. By St. Maarten has constructed a wonderful new cruise terminal. Thanks so much. 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. . At the end closest to the beach, screens displayed the timings of the next planes to land on the landing strip to the right. I'm guessing the challenge is to find your driver in the crowd and to then get through the self made traffic jam. Nicely explained! Little Bay, located near Fort Amsterdam and Philipsburg, is a beach dive location with calm waters and rock beach breaks. . 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. 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. St Maartens cruise port is in the capital city- Philipsburg which has space for a whole load of cruise ships to dock at once. The taxis on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Maho Beach is famous because it is located so close to the airport that landing planes will swoop so close over the heads of beachgoers that some of them get knocked off their feet. Is it close to the pier? A good trip and great value. Sometimes life is like that, hurry up-then wait! More rum punch and we were back on our way through Simpson Bay. You can rent 2 beach beds and an umbrella for $30, which is about 35% more than the price in early February--go figure. 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. We drive through Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Take a taxi or the Water Taxi to downtown Philipsburg. Great Bay Beach stretches from St Maarten's Cruise port towards the Little Bay area. They were aware of the Harmony arrival times and told us the tour will be waiting for us to arrive. . (There are 6 cruise ships docked in St. Maarten today.) There's parking inside the Caravanserai (sp?) Walk pass taxi's to the circle with the sign "Hope To see You Soon Again". Read our community guidelines. Not sure if they are operating after Irma. This was a nice tour around the island and a great way to get familiar with the island. Vote. :), You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. Cancellations that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund. It is able to dock seven cruise ships at one time. 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.) You're driver will know the drill. Whenever a plane appeared, twinkling in the distance of the now completely vivid blue sky, the throngs would gather tighter together, all vying for the best spot. Easy to do.:). Maarten. He makes it the same way I do, mango, pineapple, passion fruit and lots of rum. This is why I booked this excursion. Taxi would return you to the Cruise Facility. Saint Martin has many other things to do besides visiting Maho Beach. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. To compare to the bus -- about what is the price of a taxi -- there are 8 in our group so not sure they have taxi-vans ??? See the famous plane spotting at Maho Beach! 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. Where are the car rental places in relation to the port? You could also take a taxi or rent a car. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. 2 beaches in one day enhanced the trip! Next to the Sunset Beach Bar is Sandbar, a colourful new eatery which offers just about every kind of food you could wish for, from sushi and burgers to tacos and smores. Advanced warning about Orientthere is a nude side! Working hard to get some videos (moments before I got soaked) The Maho Beach was great for the planes but intimidating to swim at this time of year. The city is dirty, messy, hot & humid, and this is January. If your plan is to get to Maho to watch the planes, then the BEST approach would be to catch a taxi from the dispatch area at the Cruise Facility. Marigot is picturesque along with a market to get souvenirs. Perfect combination of relaxing beach and excitement from the Pla. Take a look at the end of my posting over in this earlier thread. St Maarten has one major road and it is not uncommon for there to be huge traffic congestion especially on afternoons. We said no thanks but they wouldn't even let us sit on a towel in the area, so we just walked around. If you like sun, go up the narrow ladder to the top deck. Punctual pick up, good beach afternoon seeing planes overhead at Maho beach. The island of six, our family of six would stay a week at. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Experience the highlights of St Maarten on this 5-hour shore excursion leaving from the cruise port. Houses just abandoned? By there can be long wait for buses as there is no set schedule, and they make many stops on the way. The chairs and umbrellas were great. There are a few shops in the new cruise terminal. If you want an easy day seeing both beaches, we would recommend this tour because we found no other like it. 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 The planes are so low, I think you could wave to the pilot. From town a water taxi makes a quick journey back to the ship for a small fee. Water taxi/tour to Maho beach? We had a wonderful time of this excursion. Harold Jack look out point, located on Cole Bay Hill, is a 10 minute drive from the cruise terminal. When we arrived at place to start our tour, we asked which bus was ours. Spot the rabelo boats on the r, I tried to make a post with a tonne of pictures bu. Water taxis are often used by cruise ship passengers as shuttles between the center of Phillipsburg to the cruise ship docking areas. You should be able to walk it in 20 minutes or so, if so inclined. Alternatively, you can take a public transportation which costs USD $2.50 to go and USD$2.50 to return. With a car you loose rime renting, navigating to an unfamiliar area , and parking at Maho can be a royal PIA. Grand Case Beach Club or La Playa Orient Bay? Additionally, there is a clothing optional area on this beach. . Orient Bay is a fairly quick drive by taxi, rental car or excursion bus from Philipsburg. Since 1648, St Maarten it is divided 60 / 40 between France (northern part, 53 km2 / 20 mi2) and Holland (southern part, 34 km2 / 13 mi2). Report inappropriate content Cloudy036 Fife, United Kingdom Level Contributor 13 posts 204 reviews 125 helpful votes 8. p.s. No, it is not necessary to take along your passport or driver's license unless noted by your cruise line or listed in the Restrictions or Notes tab for the excursion. Lucius was a wonderful guide. The beach isnt very wide, and today its completely full. Not only that but I was soooo paranoid we'd have problems catching a cab back that I was worried the entire time we were there and left really early to make sure we could get back. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88316489', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise port to go to Maho beach. The only one that works for cruise ship passengers however departs from Red Hook, St. Thomas. 5 1/2 hr tour covering both Dutch & French highlights of the island. We actually docked a bit early, and Tom and I sprinted off the ship to the meeting location. Van was comfortable and clean. Anyone with an interest in diving might consider either Little Bay or Kim Sha beaches. $ 40.00 per Adult. Return is the same (just show up at the stand next to the maho beach bars and hop in another . Maarten. Drenched, full of sand, I was laughing as Tom helped me back up. A aquarium taxi from the cruise . The very handsome french pharmacist asks about his symptoms and gives me a box of liquid packets. We find a spot on the sand, and I lay on my back trying to film the incoming planes. Burgeaux Beach, just beyond Simpson Bay, offers a cove and is a favorite of shell collectors and surfers. Guests will be at Maho Beach in time to see the planes come in for a landing. He was knowledgeable about both parts of the island. The only construction I see on the island is the resort hotel being built next to the Casino on Maho Beach. 261 likes, 12 comments - Paul and Carole Love to Travel (@paulandcarole) on Instagram: "We were up at 0630 to see the sail in to St Maarten and we are so glad we did . Here, we walk around a flea market as Im looking for a pharmacy. Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation, Round-trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal, Bilingual certified local excursion guides, narrated, Complimentary refreshments - 1 (water, soft drinks, beer, and Guavaberry liqueur), Return to cruise port (with optional drop-off in Philipsburg or Marigot, downtown is about a 15-minute walk back to the pier or 4 minutes by water taxi, p/p $7.00usd cost is not included), Drivers and guides are trained in first aid.
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