If you’re looking for a beach day in St. Maarten during your Caribbean cruise, one of the best beaches in St Maarten to consider is this one right here. (See the pictures there.)
That’s Maho Beach, aka Airport Beach.
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 directly over you like in this picture here. (Unfortunately, Maho Beach isn’t what it used to be following the destruction of Hurricane Irma in 2017.)
Maho Beach is a 30-40 minute drive to reach, and it requires a shore excursion or taxi to get there. You can see the location on the St. Maarten map below.
Another beach that’s one of the best beaches to visit during a cruise is one you can walk to from the cruise port, right? 😉
And that brings up…
Great Bay Beach
As long as you don’t mind a little walking, it’s quite possible to walk to Great Bay Beach from the St Maarten cruise port.
There are many parts of the island that don’t really make for good walking because of narrow shoulders and lots of cars, but your path to the beach from the cruise port is lined with sidewalks. It’s about a 20 minute walk one way. If you’re lucky, you may even see a mountain goat or two during your walk!
explore more caribbean cruise ports
Side note!
If you'll be snorkeling on your next vacation, consider wearing these types of UV swim shirts. Also see about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Oahu that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Walking to the St Maarten beach near the cruise port…
One thing you’ll notice when you’re in St Maarten is that there are tons of BOATS! You can take a detour to walk through the marina.
Once you get near the beach, you’ll see what’s called the boardwalk
BEACH!
View of the beach from a distance
And there’s the cruise port! Cruise ships on one side, hotel resort on the other.
Things to do near this St Maarten beach
This beach is in a cute little area so you can explore a little bit away from the beach too.
It’s not too busy and it generally has the laid back Caribbean vibe to it.
There are little shops that you can buy a drink or a smoothie, as well as do your souvenir shopping.
The beach is also right by the downtown area of Philipsburg, which is the main city of St Maarten, and you can have a walk exploring the shops and Old Street of St Maarten too.
Downtown Philipsburg near the beach
St Maarten map near cruise port
On the St Maarten map below, you’ll see:
- St Maarten cruise port
- Great Bay Beach
- Old Street and Downtown Philipsburg
- Maho Beach | Airport Beach
- St Maarten Airport
Things to maybe pack for your Caribbean cruise to St Maarten and other islands!
Now, here are some things that you just may want to add to your cruise packing list!
- This case so you can take pristine underwater pictures or pool pictures! (It’s cheap!)
- This pouch so you don’t have to worry about leaving valuables on the beach
- These tag holders so you don’t end up with lost luggage on the cruise ship!
- These cubes so you can find your stuff once on the cruise
- These types of beach shoes so you don’t have to worry about hidden rocks under the sand at any of the cruise ports
- This type of beach bag that’ll help you dry things out so you can be ready for the next beach day!
- For your beach outfits, take a look at…
- These swimsuits and cover-ups for women
- This swimwear for plus-size women
- These swimsuits for men!
- Cruise formal: And here are ideas for your cruise outfits for formal night!
- Seasickness: And here are ideas for snacks and wearables to prevent seasickness
- Snorkeling: What to wear snorkeling
HAPPY ST MAARTEN BEACH PLANNING!
more caribbean cruise ports | map >> aruba | curacao | turks and caicos | cozumel | puerto rico | grand cayman | nassau
More cruise tips:
– What to wear for cruise formal night
– Do you need cruise travel insurance?
– Cruises with kids: Things to do on embarkation day
– How to prevent cruise luggage from getting lost on the cruise ship
– How to prevent seasickness
– What NOT to bring on a cruise
– CRUISE PACKING LIST!
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling
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