Report inappropriate content divedive2 Nashville, Tennessee Level Contributor 277 posts http://www.yapta.com/search/results/?id=03735b347bad15f9770ef1e8a196df8c. As part of the islands COVID-19 response, all travelers to the island by air must complete a mandatory electronic health authorization application or they will not be able to board their flight. Id really been expecting a Dutch island. Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. not as many planes to watch though as traffic at the airport is still somewhat slow. Posted Wednesday at 09:11 PM. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Port de Galisbay. To get around the island you will need a vehicle and luckily transport is readily available at the end of the short pier. The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. . Cab was $9us each way per person - they fill a van with a bunch of people (there was 13 of us that caught the same taxi - 11 from the UK and my wife and I) - and they will arrange a time to come back and pick you up (it is about a 30 min drive, so plan return time accordingly). The Guava berry Emporium is located on Front Street in Phillipsburg in an old townhouse, you cant miss the big liquor bottle at the entrance. St Maarten the Eastern Caribbean pearl boasting stunning beaches, lush tropical nature, and kind, friendly residents is an island of diversities! Best time to visit: As with most Caribbean islands the best time to visit is between the months of November to March as this is when the weather is the driest. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Portland, OR. There are a number of car rental locations near the port. Starting in 2007, they made a lasting impression with their customers. Now, any day can be a 12K kind of day. . You either have to cross the Dutch side draw bridge or the French side draw bridge when coming from the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Find a booth (see picture) to buy a ticket. 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. Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island, and Pinel Island are some top choices off the coast of St. Maarten. No matter which option you choose, our stress-free transportation service ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey from start to . Travel down Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard with a transfer thats easy to count on, choosing between a modest sedan or a spacious chartered bus to see the vibrant culture of the Arawak people, or consider one of many meet-and-greet services ranging from luxury limousines perfect for arriving to beachside resort restaurants in brilliant fashion, or go with a casual local personal driver who can offer the natives perspective of surrounding landmarks as well as exotic natural flora. Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten. Theres two more on the Dutch side you should visit, if you have the time, and at least 5 more on the French side. . La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin The Airplane Beach in St Maarten is not what I was expecting. Barcelona airport from cruise ship in 3 hours ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14761279', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights to San Juan. Both can be found on the French side of the island and are a little more laid back than some of the islands other beaches. Try and get a seat along the railing! The island has long been a top destination for cruisers and it looks like thats going to continue into the future! Should I visit Marigot on the french side or just spend time on the Dutch side for shopping and maybe a little beach time? February 18. If you are going from the Dutch into French side and back there is no border control or anything like that. St Maarten / St Martin has for decades been a popular port of call for cruise passengers. The information provided by this website is subject to change and therefore information can be inaccurate. It's perhaps a 15- to 20-minute drive (sometimes more if the traffic is really bad). Currently, we are unable to provide domestic travel restriction information for travelling within Saint Martin. First time visiting St. Maarten, arriving on a Wednesday from Celebrity. I think I'll try and find a flight a'round noon or 1 pm. We advice you to book in advance. Walk three fourths of a mile, ride in a land taxi or take a quick water taxi to the tourist district. I only know two rental companies located near the cruise port. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 10m. It features a large pool, restaurants and large picnic-play grounds. Cupecoy Beach and Mullet Bay Beach are some popular choices among others. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status within Saint Martin, please check government recommendations. They are consistently winning the award since 2016. The longer route will take about an hour BUT.no bridge wait time. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Dont Miss: Cruise Lines Departing From Mobile Alabama. The water taxi departs from the Captain Hodge Pier. With just a couple square miles of beachfront blocks, exploring the downtown area of Philipsburg can be an especially easy thing for those looking to get to know the day. . However, you can take the ferry to Anguilla then take the ferry to St. Martin. The most popular and convenient one is the Great Bay beach. Plenty of crew from our ship had decided to visit that day as well, and we passed about thirty galley guys and their supervisor yelling GALLEY GALLEY GALLEY!!! Continue further north for more natural getaways like the Rainforest Adventures of St Maarten, as well as the vast habitat housing exotic birds at Parotte Ville. There are plenty of beachside chair and umbrella rental services for a relaxing day watching the turquoise waters of the bay lap against the sand. Just make sure you keep the water on your left hand side walking to the town. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! This is where you catch the watertaxi to the centre of Philipsburg. 3. How to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach in one day. Pay attention to the signs, pals! Also, AA airline flight departs at 10:30 am..can I make this flight? Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Most prices are clearly displayed in US dollars and most shops will have no problem accepting US dollars and will even have the change ready in US dollars. On St Martin, the question is not distance but driving time. I think this would certainly be less stressful! Visit the Loterie Farm found on one side of Pic Paradis. St. Martin is the worlds smallest territory shared by two countries. Aside from this fact, the island has lots of sights to offer. The drive from the cruise port to Maho Beach is about 10 minutes. The journey should only take about 20 minutes, but we spent almost double that crawling along in a long line of cars. The distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) and Port de Galisbay is 3 miles. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Saint Martin, Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Sint Maarten, Top of the art penthouse on the beach - 4000 sq. Nowadays, the island reflects a blend of two cultures and mentalities that learned to live, work, and grow together. When cruise ships return to the docks of Philipsburg this summer, Sint Maarten is going to be ready. On the Dutch side you have Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach, located right next to each other on either side of the Fort Amsterdam Peninsula. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Simpson Bay Resort Marina & Spa. This was a key date for the cruise tourism. About 300 kilometers east of Puerto Rico in the northeast part of the Caribbean lies St. Maarten, a cruise community favorite destination. Anyone familiar with Villa Oyster Pearl and/or Dawn Beach? Below is the list of the main Philipsburg attractions: See the list of the best Philipsburg toursif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0'); rel="sponsored nofollow noopener", Check out St Maarten/St Martin beach tours and activities. 3. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Roundtrip watertaxi tickets from the St. Maarten cruise port to Philipsburg costs: Adults: 7 US dollars Crew member: 3 US dollars Children under 3 years old: Free You can pay cash in US dollar or with credit card. To get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach, youll need to take a taxi. It is right in town at the main boulevard. The organized boat tours normally take you to the islands best snorkeling sites and off-the-beaten-path places of incredible beauty. On Monday, December 4, 2017, Viking Sea was the first cruise ship to call at the island of St Maarten since the passing of hurricane Irma earlier in September that same year. . It is able to dock seven cruise ships at one time. Underneath you will find your transportation options: The water taxi is a very popular way to go to the city centre of Philipsburg. They have not yet announced if they are going t o do that yet. There is a large taxi stand at the cruise terminal in St. Maarten. Rental Car this can be a great way to see the island, especially if you have more than a group of 3 people. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. And even if it happens, the island has plenty of attractions which helps spread out the masses. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? Yes, the driving distance between St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is 5 miles. The best way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay without a car is to ferry which takes 1h 10m and costs $20-$50. St. Maarten has constructed a wonderful new cruise terminal. Docking at the island is smooth, courtesy of the large pier that accommodates up to 7 ships. You are free to walk, but you can also take the water taxi or a regular taxi. Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Port Norfolk Virginia. It's perhaps a 15- to 20-minute drive (sometimes more if the traffic is really bad). !as they posed for group photos. You easily can get to the port by taxi, or water taxi (from the town centre). Guests looking for an ultimate vacation experience, the Roof Top and Sunset suites with butler service are the resorts best accommodations. the trip from the dock to the airport usually takes closer to 30 minutes and often much more when the traffic is bad. Holland House Beach Hotel is one of the nearest hotels from the St Maarten cruise port, located right on Great Bay Beach promenade in downtown Philipsburg. A church in the vicinity contains a stone fascia with open-air side walls and a ceiling, which is the form of a hull of a ship. There are hundreds of duty free stores and the discounts are great. Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isn't particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. Currency: The official currency in St Maarten is the Antillean Guilder and the Euro depending on which side you are on. By clicking I Agree, you accept our privacy policy. Enjoy The Beaches. Enjoy The Beaches. They'll keep a running tab for you as long as you are there. St. Maarten Two Islands Private Day TourTwo countries on one island for almost 400 years. However, the Water Taxi is $7 round trip and a short 5-10 minute water ride to a beach. Large dock and cruise terminal available: 1 mile from Philipsburg Tender dock available right in town. Great Bay Beach. You can rent the ATV on your own, or you can book one of the off-road tours that will take you through the rugged terrain of the island and stop at the islands main landmarks. The Dutch later built Fort Amsterdam as a military outpost in Philipsburg for protection from intruders. Wow, I think that is tight. Reply Jan 30th, 2010, 03:53 AM # 3 Barbara1 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 686 Likes: 0 Received 0. For more packing tips, check out my article. A hat and water are recommended! Aside from the great climate Sint Maarten is known for its shopping! It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 3km from the island of Saint Martin, and is administered as part of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. . A spot of late afternoon blinding sunshine . #1. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Along the south shore of Saint-Martin Island, the city of Philipsburg is an oasis of the Caribbean and a major connector for the neighboring island of Anguilla. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88437021', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mullet Bay. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, St. Maarten suffered significant damage that its still working to recover from. 4. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. . There is a car rental facility as well at the St. Martin cruise terminal. St Maarten/St Martin lies within the hurricane belt, so heavy tropical storms and hurricanes may occur in September and October. The cheapest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry which costs $20-$50 and takes 1h 10m. And lastly, retire ashore with sunset views from the dramatic cannons of Fort Amsterdam, finally grabbing a bite from the port-side ambiance of Chesterfields Restaurant & Bar. Sint Maarten has several COVID-19 testing centers on the island and many of the hotels and resorts have sample collection services for getting tested upon your return home. Some tours include beach time, so make sure you bring proper clothing. This was the first four ship day for St. Maartens 2018 season. In this article, read about: Visit also our cruise guides to St Thomas, San Juan, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia,Falmouth, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Labadee, Bermuda, Barbados. Required fields are marked *. Best Philipsburg, St. Maarten excursions. 1 American Airlines flight in at 2:00pm - the rest prop planes. GOOD LUCK. Archive - Find the tender platform right in the city centre of Philipsburg. It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. For a slightly different vibe, and the opportunity to cook your own food on lava stones, head to the Palms Grill at the opposite end of the beach. Dutch and French Side Island Sightseeing, A great place to taste the premium quality rum and see the rum-making process. Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area. Tour buses and taxi rank are located nearby to get there, you need to turn right and keep walking to the exit of the terminal area until you reach a small building housing a tourist information desk. Absolutely not. The most popular resorts in this area are Coralita Beach, Oyster Bay, and Dawn Beach. This post was sponsored by the island of Sint Maarten, Recommended Reading: Can You See The Northern Lights On An Alaskan Cruise. That's Maho Beach, aka Airport Beach. See map above to see the exact location. Walk 1h 45m. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14734771', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship on Dec. 27th, flying to Dallas. I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? Rome2rio makes travelling from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay easy. Buy a ticket for the water taxi at the St Maarten cruise terminal. You can either take the watertaxi right to the center of this street or walk from the cruise terminal which will take you about 20 to 30 minutes. Distance: 4 km Duration: 1h 10m What companies run services between St Maarten Airport (SXM), Sint Maarten and Marigot, Saint Martin? Help, Re: Cruise Terminal to Airport (Philipsburg, St Maarten) ? Creditcards are accepted at mosts shops. 1 mile from the cruise terminal. . Ooh la la. . Everyday Im hustlin Theres plenty of shopping just nearby. Check out the St Maarten/St Martin boat and snorkeling tours, rel="sponsored nofollow noopener". It is within sight of the ship, in the city centre and there are lots of facilities. Coastal has some no-so-good reviews and that worries me. The Dutch side is called Sint Maarten (St Maarten) and occupies the southern half of the island. The cruise port is located on the French side of the island. Rotary Lookout Point A beautiful viewpoint is part of the French Nature Reserve offering scenic views of the east coast of Saint Martin and Lucas Bay. For more information about COVID-19 protocols, please visit www.stmaartenupdates.com. Portland, OR. . 1 mile from the cruise terminal. Its also a very beautiful place to have a wedding at. St. Lucia Key West San Juan Curacao Aruba Barbados. Marigot to Grand Case should take 15 minutes, but here as well it can sometimes take longer. Just visited Dec 26th - was told by multiple people that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Finding the way is easy. Popular landmarks include the island heritage of Saint Maarten Museum, home to views of traditional Arawak artifacts ranging from poetry to photography, attached the nearby Guavaberry Emporium offers views of the islands famed tradition of alcohol making. It's an easy 20-minute walk into town, but water taxis also make the short trip, leaving from Captain Hodge Pier (signposted at the terminal). Maho Beach is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, which is divided between France and the Netherlands. 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. I would recommend a taxi ride from cruise port to Mullet Bay instead of excursion. Tour buses and a taxi rank are located nearby; to get there, you need to turn right and keep walking to the exit of the terminal area until you reach a small building housing a tourist information desk. Add it! Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. It is famous for being adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, and is a popular site for tourists and planewatchers, who visit the beach to watch aircraft on final approach landing at the airport, passing only a short distance above their heads. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. distance from st maarten airport to cruise port. For full information, please see mydisclaimerhere. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay, Take the ferry from Sint Maarten to Anguilla, Take the ferry from Anguilla to St. Martin, Drive from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay, Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. Here, youll also find a tourist information desk and tour booths offering tours and car rentals, as well as a shore excursion meeting place (always double-check your tour ticket, though). Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. The sun was scorching hot and getting into the cool water melted away the crazy sweaty energy of the beach bar. Anyone have a suggestion as to an airline flying to San Juan? To be able to handle the world's largest cruise vessels , Port San Juan invested ~USD 8 million in building a 3rd dock. Posted January 17, 2011. The fare is 2 to 3 US dollar. . Distance to Cruise Port: 8.7 miles Distance from Airport: 2 minutes. It is a beautiful resort dotted with beautiful wooden cabanas hidden among the trees. This boutique-style property offers stylish rooms with either city of views across the Caribbean sea to the cruise terminal. Just walk up to the transport booth at the end of the pier and choose from a number of choices availed to you. . #1. Princess Juliana International Airport primarily services international and regional flights and is located 12 km/7.5 miles (a 25-minute drive) northwest of the Sint Maarten cruise terminal. However, of course, this is when there are most cruise liners docking and so more people. And best of all the taxi charges are standardized by the government. For $7, you can get an all day pass for the water taxi that leaves right near where the cruise ships dock. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor seating and beach lounges with umbrellas. 2003-2021 AirportShuttles.com - All rights reserved. St Maarten/St Martin has two airports. Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. It is a large cruise facility that can accomodate several mega cruise ships. You can book an excursion to Anguilla via your ship or local tour operators. And use your heads! Locals will claim that its 37-square-mile island is the smallest in the world shared by two countries. The centuries-old liquor is a part of St. Maartens culture, there are songs and stories dedicated to the Guava Berry. . The island has no human occupants, but has been inhabited in the past. Neither was ever destroyed. Tintamarre Island is an uninhabited island which has been recognized as an important bird area. With its European influences , St. Maarten is just begging to be explored from the land or sea via cruise ship. 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. You might have already sensed from my description that this beach is not my kind of place. The water taxi is wheelchair accessible. Walk from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Philipsburg 8.8 km. Between 1946 and 1950, it was the base for the airline Compagnie Arienne Antillaise, which flew planes from the island's 500m airstrip (no longer existent.). . You can choose between a full-day and half-day trip, based on your wishes and personal preferences. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. The roads were not meant to carry current traffic volumes, resulting slow driving times. There is widespread community transmission globally. There are a few popular snorkeling/scuba diving sites you should check out: Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, and Beach Tour with Lunch is one of the top-rated shore excursions suitable for cruise ship guests, and the return to the cruise ship is guaranteed. Your ship will dock on the Dutch side of the island at Philipsburg, where all large vessels such as cruise ships dock. There is no direct connection from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 2.4 km/1.5 milesaway from the city center. You did not say what time the ship arrives however once you are in the taxi it is a 30 minute ride +/- depending upon traffic conditions which may or may not add another 15-20 minutes to your ride. Some of these are: Note: Make sure you have a valid drivers license that complies with the tour operators policies.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',132,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-132{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Limassol Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Mykonos Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Split Cruise Port Guide (Croatia), Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Dubrovnik Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Catania Cruise Port Guide (Sicily), Things to Do, Shore Excursions, The port area and Philipsburg downtown are, The roads in St Maarten are well-developed and clearly marked, so a. Dutch is the official language on the Dutch side, and French on the French side, however, English is widely spoken. The St Maarten cruise terminal is located in Philipsburg, the Dutch part of the island, around 1.5 mi away from the city center. How to get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach in one day. AA has (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are plenty of busses that run between Philipsburg and Marigot. As cruise port, Cancun is visited by smaller-sized ships and superyachts as Puerto Juarez Dock can handle only vessels with low draft. rene verdugo urquidez released SU,F's Musings from the Interweb. Sint Maarten Tourism; Sint Maarten Hotels; Sint Maarten Bed and Breakfast. See St Maarten cruise port on Google maps, Check out St Maarten rent-a-car deals and offers, See the list of the best Philipsburg tours, 3. There are many options to choose from in St. Maarten, from casual Caribbean fare to upscale restaurants serving lobster thermidor a local specialty. One is Rodael Car Rental and the other one is Coastal Car Rental. However US dollar are widely accepted. The cutest little streets youll ever want to explore are here, plus white sand beaches that bow to the more liberal European culture. However, if you fancy more private and secluded beaches, you can charter a boat to the nearby island of Anguilla. Distance to Cruise Port: 0.9 mile Distance from Airport: 23 minutes. To the original poster,I didn't mention the "bridge" on the "longer route" because it's daily opening is not a given as the boat traffic @ Sandy Ground is far less than the bridge on the shorter route (Simpson Bay) as I've gone through there days on end and it never opened.And chances are it will not open 12/27 IF you take that route.IF it does, the time open will be very short as compared to Simpson bay. and both beach bars are operating. . Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Anyone familiar with Villa Oyster Pearl and/or Dawn Beach? For the most part, we stayed out of the crowds but still appreciated the landings at an angle. This is clearly a popular holiday destination, whether for people travelling only to Sint Maarten, or cruise passengers and crew like me and my pal Rachel; but I was still surprised by how Americanised the whole place felt. . Make sure to take some home with you. Wait, what? Is Marigot worth visiting? Large dock and cruise terminal available: 1 mile from Philipsburg Tender dock available right in town. We have received no reports of travel restrictions in Saint Martin. The cruise dock in St. Maarten is called the A.C. Wathey Pier. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. In the sea, people swam and jumped in the swell whilst waiting for the next plane to land. 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. Of course, if youd prefer to snorkel right off the beach in St. Maarten, you can do that too. A constituency country controlled by the Dutch, St. Maarten occupies the southern half of an island whose northern half, St. Martin, is controlled by the French. Airport: St Maartens airport is called St Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport. Absolutely not. One price will do you for the day and youll get a great view of the harbor. However, there are services departing from Sint Maarten and arriving at St. Martin via Anguilla. The Amsterdam of the Caribbean 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.) For a cruise port that used to have as many as 6 cruise ships docked on weekdays before hurricane Irma, it may sound like a slow recovery. All rights reserved. (~2,5 hours drive distance). Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.St Maarten cruise terminal. Oyster Pond A community located in the eastern part of the island, overlooking Lucas Bay. It's famous because if you're there at the right time, and if you've got the right spot on the beach, planes will fly . Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close.