24 Best Things To Do In St Maarten On A Cruise (2024)
St. Maarten welcomes thousands of cruise ship visitors daily, with over 2 million cruise ship visitors expected in 2024. These tourists drive the economy on both sides of the island by supporting thousands of businesses, over 300 restaurants, and endless tour providers.
This guide will help you maximize your visit & choose activities in St Maarten/Martin!
*Updated October 2024*
Philipsburg Cruise Port Travel Guide
Bordersology is a Travel Blog. We are dedicated to creating authentic travel advice based on our travel experiences! We lived in French Saint Martin and worked in Dutch Sint Maarten during the 2023 tourism season. For the 2024 tourism season, we have created a series of St Maarten/Martin travel blogs!
Coming Soon: Best Happy Hours In St Maarten
Coming Soon: Best Beaches In St Maarten
Keywords
St Maarten Cruise, St Martin Cruise, SXM Cruise, Philipsburg Cruise Port, Port of St Maarten, St Maarten Things To Do, St Maarten Attractions, St Maarten Family Friendly Attractions, St Maarten Cruise Excursions, St Maarten Cruise Day Trips, St Martin Cruise Things To Do, Saint Martin vs Sint Maarten, St Maarten & St Martin Map, St Maarten Restaurants/Bars
Best Things To Do In St Maarten/Martin
*Click Each Option To Go Directly To More Information*
1) Explore Philipsburg’s Great Bay Beach
2) Take A Half-Day Tour Of The Entire Island
3) Rent A Car And Explore The Entire Island Using Our Map
4) Eat Your Way Across The Island - Do A Food Crawl
5) Go Snorkelling Or Scuba Diving
6) Watch The Planes Land At Maho Beach & Explore Maho
7) Take A Catamaran Or Sailing Tour Of The Island
8) Explore Simpson Bay, Dutch Sint Maarten
9) Chase Views At Sentry Hill - Zip Line Down If You Dare
10) Volunteer To Help Make The Island A Better Place
11) Shop And Eat In Marigot - The French Capital
12) Spend An Afternoon In Picturesque Grand Case
13) Explore The Island On An ATV
14) Eat Like A Local
15) See The Iguanas At Pinel Island
16) Take A Day Trip To British Anguilla Or French St Barts
17) Monkeys And Zip-Lining At Loterie Farm
18) Go Parasailing At Orient Beach
19) Rent/Hire A Jet Ski
20) Go Horseback Riding Along The Beach
21) Relax On A Sandy Beach
22) Try Your Luck At The Casinos
23) Step Back In Time At Fort St Louis Or Fort Amsterdam
24) Participate In Carnival Or Other Cultural Celebrations
1) Explore Philipsburg’s Great Bay Beach
Great Bay Beach - Philipsburg Boardwalk - Dutch Sint Maarten
Cruise ships arriving in St Maarten dock at the AC Wathey Pier & Port, a 20-minute walk from the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Options for leaving the ship include walking, taxis, or a water taxi to Philipsburg Marina.
Proximity to the cruise ship terminal makes Philipsburg the most time-friendly attraction for cruise ship visitors. Even if you choose to explore the island, Philipsburg will be where you start your adventure!
The first beach cruise ship visitors will see in St Maarten is Great Bay Beach - a 2-mile-long stretch of white sandy beach, lined with restaurants, bars, shopping, and souvenirs.
The Philipsburg Boardwalk runs parallel to Great Bay Beach, providing easy access to the beach and city.
Historic Clock - Philipsburg - Dutch Sint Maarten
Visitors looking for a relaxing beach day should avoid the traffic and stay at Great Bay Beach! Choose from dozens of beachside bars offering some of the island’s best deals on beach chair rentals and drinks!
Best Things To Do In Philipsburg:
Attractions:
Relax and Swim at Great Bay Beach
Walk through picturesque Old Street
Take the kids to Float-N-Splash Waterpark
Find the pineapple on top of Sint Maarten Courthouse
Walter Plantz Square Water Garden
Sint Maarten Museum
Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
Guava Berry Liquor Emporium
Experience the history and the pelicans at Fort Amsterdam
Old Street - Philipsburg - Dutch Sint Maarten
Restaurants/Bars:
Lazy Lizard (best gluten-free, celiac, allergy accommodations)
Greenhouse (buy one, get one free happy hour, 430-7pm)
Oualichi (named after the Indigenous word for the island, meaning island of brave and beautiful women)
Blue Bitch Bar (a popular spot with live music)
The Dutch Blonde (pub food and craft beer)
Shopping
Locally Owned - Iguana, Zoe, Vilebrequin, Psycho Bunny, LOVE SXM
Fashion/Clothing - Havaianas, Crocs, Tommy Hilfiger
Jewelry - Zhaveri, Pandora, Diamonds, Goldfinger, Kay’s, Little Europe, Shiva’s, Dk Gems, Ballerina, and more
Souvenir Shops
Duty Free Shops
Cigar Shops
Sint Rose Shopping Mall
Guided Tours and Activities In Philipsburg:
2) Take A Half-Day Tour Of The Entire Island
For over 350 years, Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin have shared this Caribbean island paradise!
Cruise ship visitors can book a guided tour to see the best of the island in one day! Book a half-day tour to learn about the island’s history, geography, culture, and wildlife from a local. This is the best way to see as much as possible in a short amount of time!
*Day Trips and excursions usually offer cruise ship port pickup/drop-off. Tours typically last between 4-6 hours*
Aerial View of Simpson Bay - Dutch Sint Maarten
St Maarten Day Trip and Excursion Hyperlinks
3) Rent A Car And Explore The Entire Island Using Our Map
The best way to experience all that Sint Maarten and Saint Martin offer (in one day) is to rent a car and explore at your own pace!
The island is easy to navigate and you can explore the entire island in 3-5 hours!
We have used and recommend >DiscoverCars.com< for St Maarten car rentals. DiscoverCars compares prices across the island, allows you to choose a pickup location, and offers one of the most affordable insurance policies.
>Rentalcars.com< compares prices at all of the major rental agencies on the island and schedules pickup at your choice of SXM Airport, Marigot Ferry Terminal, or Grand Case Airport.
Traffic and Rush Hour Warning:
Beginning at 3 PM and lasting until 6 PM, traffic jams form in multiple locations around the island. The worst locations to get stuck in traffic are listed below. Plan your journey accordingly!
Roundabout connecting Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Philipsburg
Roundabout connecting Marigot, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay
The highway to Grand Case
The road connecting Maho to Simpson Bay
All of Philipsburg
The Bordersology Map of SXM
We designed a Google Map to help you visualize the island and plan your trip! The map includes attractions, beaches, activities, and restaurants/bars. Buy us a coffee ($2) for lifetime access to the map.
4) Eat Your Way Across The Island - Do A Food Crawl
Locals describe the island of St Martin as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” How many restaurants call this Caribbean paradise home? There are over 300 restaurants on the island between the Dutch and French sides!
Choosing from over 300 restaurants can be intimidating, so we put together a >30 Best Restaurants In St Maarten & St Martin Blog< to help you decide! Check out our recommendations based on all the restaurants we have tried on the island!
A great way to try lots of food in a short amount of time is by doing a guided food tour! Linked below are some SXM Foodie Tours!
Our favourite tool for finding GF restaurants is Find Me Gluten Free! FMGF is an online community where people looking for amazing gluten-free food can share their experiences. Restaurants are filtered by style of food, certified celiac-friendly, and much more!
We Use Find Me Gluten-Free Premium to create “Collections” or guides to the various cities we have lived abroad in.
Bordersology is a Find Me Gluten-Free Affiliate! >Get $5 off a Find Me Gluten-Free Premium Subscription Using Our Link! <
5) Go Snorkelling or Scuba Diving
Lion Fish >Prints Inspire Photography Caribbean Portfolio<
The island of St Martin is home to numerous coral reefs and marine reserves!
Many guided tours allow you to experience St Martin below the water by snorkelling, scuba diving, or SNUBA.
Listed Below Are Marine Tour Providers:
6) Watch The Planes Land At Maho Beach and Explore Maho
Small Plane Flying Over Maho Beach - Dutch Sint Maarten
Visiting Maho Beach is the most touristy thing you can do in St Maarten. However, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! At Maho Beach airplanes of all sizes make their landing at SXM Airport.
Hundreds of visitors flock to Maho Beach every day to get a selfie with planes landing over the beach.
Safety Tip: bring earplugs to protect yourself, do not risk ear damage
Warning: Maho Beach can be very busy! The beach is rarely as empty as in this photo! This is especially true on days with multiple cruise ships docked on the island.
For a guided experience, book the >Maho Beach Guided Tour< with cruise-ship pickup.
We Love St. Maarten Mural - Maho - Dutch Sint Maarten
Other Things To Do In Maho:
Shopping and souvenirs along the Maho Strip
Taco Tuesday @ 3 Amigos
Try your luck at Maho Casino Royale
Get rooftop cocktails @ Mimosa Skylounge
Walk to Mullet Bay Beach
Mullet Bay Golf Course
7) Take A Catamaran or Sailing Tour Of The Island
The island of St Martin is small enough to boat around in one afternoon. Therefore, one of the best ways to see most of the island in one day is to book a guided sailing or catamaran tour! Listed below are several boat-based tours of the island:
Orient Bay - >Prints Inspire Photography Caribbean Portfolio<
8) Explore Simpson Bay, Dutch Sint Maarten
Have Lunch or Cocktails @ ROXXY Beach
Simpson Bay Has Something For Everyone!
Many of the island’s best restaurants, like Palapa Grill, Sale & Pepe, ROXXY, and Avantika call Simpson Bay home.
Simpson Bay Beach is an excellent location for swimming and sea turtle sightings.
Try your luck at Hollywood Casino or Paradise Casino where guests receive free drinks.
Simpson Bay Fish Market is where locals and restaurants pick up their fresh catch of the day!
Simpson Bay Farmers Market, 1st Saturday of every month, is a great location to buy local goods!
ROXXY in Simpson Bay hosts >themed beach parties< during the day and night! We also highly recommend getting lunch at ROXXY!
The Best Tours To Book In Simpson Bay:
9) Chase Views At Sentry Hill - Zip line Down If You Dare
Sentry Hill provides panoramic views over Simpson Bay, SXM Airport, Cupecoy, and even as far away as Philipsburg!
Visitors can expect a chair-lift ride to the top of Sentry Hill and then have the opportunity to >Ride the Zip-Line or Schooner Slide< down!
Make the most of your time with a >Combo Tour: 2-Person Quad Rental and Sentry Hill Chairlift<! Take a guided tour from Philipsburg on a 4x4 and then chase views at Sentry Hill.
An exciting monthly event at Sentry Hill is ELEV8 Hilltop Sunset Party!
10) Volunteer To Help Make The Island A Better Place
Our Rescue Puppy - Oualichi
Despite being governed by two developed European nations, St Martin has numerous governmental failures. The island has systemic issues with stray animals, invasive species/monkeys, and waste management.
You can help make the island a better place by volunteering!
Animal Rescue SXM
Animal lovers can contact >SXM Paws< to volunteer at their dog shelter, adopt a dog, or chaperone animals to the US/Canada.
Our Rescue Story: We were living in Nettle Bay, on the French side, when a stray puppy was abandoned in our garden. She was extremely friendly, but her condition started to decline quickly. We took action and asked our Airbnb owner if we could foster her in the Airbnb. SXM Paws paid for her to receive veterinarian services and get her shots. She survived and healed into a loving/gentle dog any family would be happy to have. We named her Oualichi (the Indigenous place name for Saint Martin, meaning island of brave and beautiful women). SXM Paws arranged her adoption and transport to a forever home in Canada! When returned home to Canada, we chaperoned two additional puppies to Toronto Airport where they met their new humans!
Two Rescue Puppies We Chaperoned To Canada
Warning: be prepared to see lots of homeless animals when visiting SXM. Older stray dogs can be unpredictable/dangerous, do not approach them. Many stray animals have experienced human-caused trauma and violence. However, contact SXM Paws if you see stray puppies or kittens that you can help rescue.
DONATE TO SXM PAWS >HERE<
Environmentalism In SXM
“The Trash Island” is how >Nature Foundation SXM< often describes St Martin. There is a serious problem of tourists (and some locals) having zero respect for keeping this tropical paradise clean.
We do not understand how people can throw their trash on the ground instead of walking 20 steps to a trash can. But some people have a different moral compass. Please be respectful during your visit!
Tourists harm the island by creating litter, using resources, and bothering locals. Local environmentalists also call St Martin “The Plastic Island” referring to inadequate waste management systems and littering issues.
If our advice brings you to St Martin, please respect the land! Leave the island better than you found it!
Nature Foundation SXM organizes monthly volunteer events like beach clean-ups, coral reef clean-ups, nature walks, etc.
Volunteer for Nature Foundation SXM >HERE<
11) Shop and Eat In Marigot - The French Capital
Marigot Waterfront Restaurants - French Saint Martin
Marigot is the capital of French Saint Martin. Visitors can expect French influences, an open market bazaar, waterfront restaurants, and designer-brand stores.
Marigot Harbour faces North-West with ferry terminals servicing British Anguilla and chartered yachts docking to pick up guests.
Fort Louis, a French colonial fort overlooks the city and remains the most well-preserved evidence of European colonial times.
We recommend getting lunch or cocktails at La Terrasse Rooftop Bar, which offers the best view over Marigot City and Harbour.
Businesses in Marigot prefer Euros, and the Ferry terminal only accepts Euros. The ATM at the post office is the most reliable in Marigot.
12) Spend An Afternoon In Picturesque Grand Case
Grand Case Beach - French Saint Martin
Grand Case, French Side, makes an excellent day trip!
Grand Case Beach is a long, golden sand beach with numerous beachside restaurants and bars offering chair/umbrella rentals.
Grand Case Pier is a popular location for photo shoots and to see schools of fish swimming around.
The Lolos are a strip of locally run, extremely affordable restaurants. The Lolos are where you can find the Most Authentic Caribbean Food on the island! We recommend Cynthia’s Talk of The Town.
Grand Case is also home to many of the island’s best restaurants: Rainbow Cafe, Ocean 82, Bistrot Caraibes, and Villa Hibiscus.
At Grand Case Beach, you can watch planes fly overhead as they land at Grand Case Airport.
13) Explore The Island On An ATV
One of the most touristy things cruise ship visitors can do is Explore The Island On A 4x4 or ATV. Many tour providers offer “one free passenger” meaning you don’t pay if you do not drive the ATV or 4x4.
Information You Want To Know: Even though you are driving off-road vehicles, most tours take you along public roads where you must obey traffic laws as if you rented a car.
ATV and 4x4 Tour Links:
14) Eat Like A Local
Langouste - >Prints Inspire Photography Caribbean Portfolio<
The island of Saint Martin, “The Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” combines French, Dutch, Caribbean Creole, and international flavours to create unique local cuisine!
Local culinary staples include seafood (conch, fish fritters, snapper, langouste, crab), regional ingredients (callaloo, guava berry, tamarind, cane sugar), Johnny cakes, and goat stew.
The Lolos in Grand Case is a strip of locally-run, extremely affordable restaurants. The Lolos are where you can find the Most Authentic Caribbean Food on the island! We recommend Cynthia’s Talk of The Town.
Saint Martin Foodie Tours Hyperlinks
15) See The Iguanas At Pinel Island
Pinel Island Iguana - French Saint Martin
You can see iguanas anywhere on the island. However, we found that the largest iguanas live on Pinel Island. Many tourists feed the iguanas, so they approach visitors (unlike the iguanas on the mainland).
The Pinel Island Ferry runs to the island every 30 minutes until 430pm. The fare is 10 euros.
There are two restaurants on the island but expect to pay expensive prices for an island dining experience.
An easy-difficulty nature trail loops around Pinel Island, but bring lots of water because the sand is scorching hot!
We visited the island during >Captain Bob’s Full Day Speed Boat Excursion<. This speedboat tour is the #1 rated day trip on TripAdvisor, and we understand why! The guides are knowledgeable, the itinerary is action-packed, you eat lunch at the Lolos in Grand Case, and there is an open-bar throughout!
16) Take a Day Trip To British Anguilla or French St Barts
British Anguilla
Located in the Leeward Islands Chain, St Martin is only 15km from neighbouring British Anguilla and 30km from French St Barthélemy! Visitors looking to get an extra stamp on their passport can easily visit one of these two islands on a day trip.
Locals from British Anguilla also claim the title, “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” We believe this claim has legitimacy after experiencing the Second Annual Anguilla Culinary Experience Basket Battle.
The indigenous Arawak place name for Anguilla is Malliouhana, which means “serpent island” or “eel island,” describing the flat, snaky geography of the island.
French St Barthélemy
French St Barts makes for a more bougie day trip. Visitors can expect streets lined with designer brands, expensive culinary options, and the chance to see celebrities visiting the island on their yachts.
Dutch Saba
Depending on how long your cruise ship gives you, a third option is to visit the Volcanic Island of Saba. Saba is a Dutch Territory located 54 km away from St Maarten.
On a clear day, you can see Saba Volcano off in the distance from beaches in St Maarten.
Saba is still an active volcano, with the last major eruption occurring in 1640.
British Anguilla, French Saint Barts, and Saba Day Trips From St Maarten
17) Monkeys and Zip-Lining At Loterie Farm
Loterie Farm Tree-Tops Adventure - French St Martin
Loterie Farm is a privately owned nature reserve located in the interior of French Saint Martin.
Loterie Farm offers a combo of excitement and relaxation for your St Martin Day Trip.
The >Loterie Farm Tree-Top Zip-Line Experience< features a series of zip-lines, rope bridges, and nature trails. For nature lovers, the zip-line course is also where you can find some of the island’s largest remaining trees.
Loterie Farm also has a relaxing swimming pool and private hot tub rentals. You can even order food and drinks from the on-site restaurant to enjoy poolside.
Another reason to visit Loterie Farm is to see St Martin’s invasive monkeys. Loterie Farm is the best place to see the monkeys, as they come right up to guests and try to steal food.
The invasive monkeys were brought to the island by settlers and have re-wilded themselves. The monkey population is estimated to be 40,000+ and without predators, keeps growing.
The Dutch government approved a plan to exterminate all of the monkeys in 2023. However, monkeys do not respect invisible borders, so the population on the French side has quickly re-settled the Dutch side.
18) Go Parasailing At Orient Beach
Orient Beach offers 2km of picturesque white sand beach, making it a hotspot for water sports: surfing, jet-skis, kiteboarding, and our favourite parasailing!
We Recommend >Parasailing In Orient Bay<
Parasailing offers breathtaking views over Orient Bay, Oyster Pond, Pinel Island, and French Saint Martin!
If you are nervous about parasailing, we were too! But, to be honest you experience less g-force than a playground swing. The experience is comparable to riding a chair-lift or gondola.
After your parasailing adventure, Orient Village offers some of St Martin’s best restaurants: Le Telegraph, SAO Asian Factory, L'Atelier, and Coco Beach!
19) Rent/Hire A Jet Ski
Surf Shack - >Prints Inspire Photography Caribbean Portfolio<
Multiple tour providers offer Jet Ski Rentals in St Martin/St Maarten.
Jet Ski rentals offer an amazing opportunity to explore the island’s picturesque coastline and visit private beaches.
A great location to combine Jet Ski + Beach is Orient Bay, where you can pay for Jet Ski rentals at the surf shack!
SXM Jet Ski Tours & Rentals
20) Go Horseback Riding Along The Beach
Horseback riding is a memorable, family-friendly experience you can book in St Maarten!
Follow your guide as well-trained horses bring you along the island’s coastline. Finish your ride by riding through the water, a refreshing finish for you and the horse!
You Can Book Horseback Rides At >Seaside Nature Park<
21) Relax On A Sandy Beach
Mullet Bay Beach Sunrise - Dutch Sint Maarten
Q: How many beaches Are In St Martin?
A: St Martin Island has 37 Beaches
Stay tuned for Bordersology’s Best Beaches In St Martin & St Maarten Blog! Coming Soon! Get updates by following @bordersology on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
Quick Picks: Best St Martin/Maarten Beaches
Baie Rouge (Nettle Bay)
Orient Beach
Grand Case Beach + Bars + Restaurants
Mullet Bay Beach (Maho)
Simpson Bay Beach
Great Bay Beach (Philipsburg)
Kim Sha Beach (Simpson Bay)
La Samana Beach (Terre Basse)
Boho Beach Bar (Nettle Bay)
Maho Beach
Long Bay Beach (Terre Basse)
22) Try Your Luck At The Casinos
A popular activity for cruise ship visitors to St Maarten is visiting the many casinos across the island!
Most casinos on the island will offer you free drinks if you stay around long enough!
Listed Below Are The Best Casinos In St Martin/Maarten, Our Favourites At The Top:
Casino Royale - Maho (best casino, largest selection of table games and slots, big-screen TVs playing sports)
Hollywood Casino - Simpson Bay Resort (large selection of slots, a few tables)
Coliseum Casino - Philipsburg (slots and table games)
Casino Rouge et Noir - Philipsburg (slot machines)
Paradise Plaza Casino - Simpson Bay (slots and a few tables)
Tropicana Princess Casino - Simpson Bay (slot machines)
Porto Cupecoy Casino - (clean with many slot machines)
Diamond Casino - Philipsburg (slots, a few tables)
23) Step Back In Time At Fort St Louis or Fort Amsterdam
Fort Amsterdam - Dutch Sint Maarten
The island of St Martin has a rich and diverse history, connected to colonial powers like France, the Netherlands, Spain, England, and even pirates.
Visitors to St Martin can still witness and experience St Martin’s history today by visiting one of two colonial forts.
(1) Fort Louis in Marigot is well preserved, offering a glimpse into the island’s past and excellent views over Marigot Harbour.
(2) Fort Amsterdam has been built and destroyed multiple times during the island’s history, but visitors today can still see the remains of the fort walls and building foundations. Fort Amsterdam offers excellent views over Great Bay, Philipsburg, and the cruise ship terminal.
Fort Amsterdam is also a nature reserve and the best place to see St Maarten’s Pelicans. Pelicans nest along the shoreline around Fort Amsterdam.
Looking For A More Guided Experience? Book A >Small Group Historical Tour<
During this tour, a local guide will show you around the island, share stories, and highlight the most important historical landmarks.
24) Participate In Carnival Or Other Cultural Celebrations
Carnival 2023 - Dutch Sint Maarten
There are always exciting community events, festivals, and celebrations happening on the island of St Martin!
The most reliable source is the >Events Calendar< at visitstmaarten.com.
Schedule of SXM Monthly & Annual Events
Weekly - Mardis de Grand Case (Tuesdays)
Monthly - Simpson Bay Farmers Market (1st Saturday)
Monthly - ELV8 Hilltop Party (Sentry Hill)
Monthly - Loterie Farm Pool Party (4th Saturday)
January - New Year Celebrations (everywhere)
February - Carnival (French side)
March - Heineken Regatta (boat races)
March - SXM Music Festival (5 days of live music)
March/April - Easter Weekend Dining (restaurants)
April - King’s Day Celebrations (Dutch side)
April/May - Carnival (Dutch side)
May - Abolition of Slavery Day Celebrations
June - National Music Day Celebrations
July - Saba and Statia Carnival
August - Low Season, Hurricane Season
September - Low Season, Hurricane Season
October - Halloween Parties
November - St. Maarten’s Day (Dutch side)
December - Christmas Markets & Parties
Visiting When There Are No Festivals? You Can Book A >Carnival Village Lunch & Beach Experience<
Thank You For Reading!
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