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. The island was discovered by the Europeans in the . Walk pass taxi's to the circle with the sign "Hope To see You Soon Again". Just no perzonality. Next, we head to Marigot, still on the French side. I believe the tour is called "Airport Adventure SXM", https://www.greatbayferry.com/adventure-excursions. For visitors by car, it is recommended to park in Bobby's Marina towards the Cruise Port, or at the Pondfill Boulevard. What are our options for getting to Maho Beach from the port? First our driver was amazing! Taxis are readily available at the cruise port, and at Maho. I enjoyed the experience a must see if visiting the island. Pbx: +1-721-542-0108 visitstmaarten @ shta.com Clive was a good driver and guide, but he spoke fairly softly and it was hard to hear him from the back seat of the van. $ 25.00 per Child (3-12) L ooking for a sensational day at the beach? Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. Ask a question. . Currency and use of debit cards on the Dutch side? Its just not a good idea. How to Visit Trunk Bay from St. Thomas on a Cruise Ship Stop Happy Honeymooner, March 27, 2010 in St. Martin/St. Recommended Posts. The place where we stopped charged $10 for 2 chairs and an umbrella but everyone received a complimentary drink. Id really been expecting a Dutch island. Maho beach was fun , because of the Airplane traffic and the over experience. Up close and personal at Maho Beach for the airplanes is what the hype is all about. Nassau is a beach-lover's dream port, with options for every kind of toes-in-the-sand experiencefrom a walk-to beach to one curated specifically for tourists. This is the most affordable option. The price for an entire day is $7 per person at the time of this writing. The journey is way too long to walk it, and costs around $15-20 per person depending on how many are in the car. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! - are taxis readily available at the cruise port, or do I need a reservation, or call when we get there? Powered by Invision Community, We took the bus to Maho. Taxis are readily available at the cruise port, and at Maho. I REALLY appreciate it. BTW, for what it is worth, the beach is just fine. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. He would to top a house and say "this is a nice house", "thus is a funeral home", "this is horses next to water". Tell the driver Maho Beach and you pay when you get off. 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. The Caribe's helped too! This area Id return to, the beach, the hotels, and many restaurants offer lots to do. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. River took us to a different beach as Orient beach was rough. 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. What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Curacao, What Are The Pros & Cons of Living In Bonaire, Living In Aruba (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Eustatius ( Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In St Maarten (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), Living In Saba Island (Pros & Cons Fully Explained), St Maarten Vs St Martin (Which Is Better For A Vacation), St Thomas vs St Maarten ( Which Island Is Better To Visit). Taxi's are plentiful weather you catch it by the pier or in town. Any advice about St. Maarten beaches starts with three of themGreat Bay Beach, Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information. Fed and watered, Rachel and I headed onto the beach itself. Visit the villages of Grand Case and Marigot before . You can be just as close to the planes at most airports as you are to the planes at Maho if you are out in the water. Travelers recommend Sunset Beach Bar for the best views. This was our second trip to St. Marteen, and we wanted to see both of these famous beaches. For photos and video go to TheHolloWAYtoTravel.com, Tour itself was excellent but started nearly an hour late waiting for customers from other ships Advanced warning about Orientthere is a nude side! We were there on a day with six ships in port, so everywhere was extremely crowded. 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. St.Martin - St.Maarten Taxi Tours ", St. Maarten, Lesser Antilles (St. Martin). I didnt find any app for St. Maarten taxis. When you get off the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Feel free to browse our website for more content on St Maarten, the Dutch Caribbean and rest of the Caribbean by using the search bar located at the top of this page. Things To Do Fun Fact: St. Maarten has the unique position of having a beachside capital. In case you have trouble finding it, knowledgeable island staff will help you out and direct you to the station. St. Maarten: Orient and Maho Beaches Half-Day Tour If you are planning an upcoming cruise for St Maarten or the rest of the Caribbean, I have an awesome product recommendation that can save you money. Thanks, "I have used this company several times. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. Take a taxi or the Water Taxi to downtown Philipsburg. TOUR GUIDE WAS AMAZING, BEACHES WERE BEAUTIFUL!!! From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. MAHO BEACH is a beautiful beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten. The water taxi stand at the cruise port is just a quick walk north of the docks. 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. The resort is located about 25 minutes from your cruise port. Beach was beautiful and not crowded and tons of sea glass to find! Mahoe beach was pretty amazing, I was able to call the tour provider, Twin Island Excursions, to advise of our arrival at St Maarten. . St. Maarten Beach Bum Combo to Orient and Maho Beaches Reviews, Was raining but still better then the weather back home. 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. We would love to go back and do this again. 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? This was a nice tour around the island and a great way to get familiar with the island. BTW, for what it is worth, the beach is just fine. If not, a quick walk out to the nearby hotels will find you one. We took the bus to Maho. . It is larger than Maho beach and it a good option for beginner snorkeling as you can see fishes near the shoreline. We wanted to take this tour because we wanted to see these famous beaches and the price was perfect. It was a nice combo. I don't know if they are back in business - so many (probably a vast majority) of the boats on the island were wrecked or washed ashore. . This will be our first time in St. Martin/Marteen. The taxis on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you want to go with a regular taxi, what the ride to intake around 15 minutes from the port to the beach along the Lagoon Highway. Visit the villages of Grand Case and Marigot before being returned on-time for your cruise ship's departure. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because they sent another driver (although they blamed me for being late- which was not the case). Maho Beach and Orient 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. International brands such as Little Switzerland and Diamond International are easily accessible. 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 . Cruise Ports That Are Closest to the Beach | ShermansTravel It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport adjacent to the beach. Posted November 19, 2022. Learn the best things to do at the port of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. I had 6 port stops on this cruise, and this was by far the worst of the tours we took. (At the end nearest the car park is also, FYI, a public bathroom. Phillipsburg to Maho Beach - 5 ways to travel via train, bus - Rome2rio Also how much a cab might be (round trip) and best time to see jets land? Could take water taxi from here instead, I think. Maho Beach, St. Martin | Cruise Stories Actually, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Taxi Vans on St Maarten - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator to run the excursion. They are quick and easy and the best prices. I will be traveling alone and was concerned about the cost of a taxi round trip. The sun was scorching hot and getting into the cool water melted away the crazy sweaty energy of the beach bar. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was a little too close to the water, however, and got completely drenched by an incoming wave. Water taxi/tour to Maho beach? - Cruise Critic Community It takes approximately 5 minutes by water taxi and 8 minutes by car to arrive at this location. Our tour guide was fun, informative and friendly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Maarten. When the owners of the boats collected on their insurance, they just left the boats were they were on moved on. 1. I would look behind the Court House for a sign labeled Bus Halte. Harold Jack look out point, located on Cole Bay Hill, is a 10 minute drive from the cruise terminal. St. Maarten Beach Bum Combo to Orient and Maho Beaches It is about five miles or less than 20 minutes away. :), You convinced me not to rent a car. I trust that you have found this information useful if your plans are to visit a beach while on a cruise to St Maarten. The driver was informative, fun and very accommodating to our needs. Call us on 305 6473141 or 1 721 5540202. . From there, cruise visitors can walk, take a water taxi or a taxi cab to Great Bay Beach. Guests must notify us within 14 days after their excursion date via email for requesting a refund of booking payment made to Shore Excursioneer. A-OO A-OO A-OO!! If you are looking for a beach away from the hustle of the capital city with a Caribbean feel, then Orient Bay Beach is an amazing option to consider. There is only the water taxi to Philipsburg. Maho Beach was amazing, not only was watching the planes cool but the water on the beach was crystal clear and gorgeous! Buses usually have a sign that says Maho beach and it takes approximately 20 minutes from the cruise port. Orient Beach the water is very clear and you can purchase 2 chairs for about $10, a welcome drink and wifi. These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island. p.s. Option 1 - Water Taxi If you only have one day in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, there are several options to get to Great Bay Beach, but a Water Taxi is the easiest. Very reliable. Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Please advise in advance if any guests have collapsible wheelchairs or walkers so transportation can be arranged. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Read our community guidelines. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. The beach isnt very wide, and today its completely full. Guests will be at Maho Beach in time to see the planes come in for a landing. Best way to get to Maho Beach from Port - Cruise Critic you can check the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's about a half hour drive and there are plenty taxi's at the port and Maho Beach to get you back and forth. Or walk into Philipsburg and catch a local bus heading to Maho Beach. Staying Focused, January 14, 2018 in St. Martin/St. Few facilities or commercial establishments are available nearby. !as they posed for group photos. http://dandataxiservice.com/. How Is the Transportation in Sint Maarten? The beautiful waters and beaches. . Gio was a great guide, starting off the tour with some rum punch. The waves made Orient Beach fun. This island is an extremely popular stopping point for cruise ships, and whenever we ported here there were at least three other ships parked up at the same time, although none of them were anywhere near full capacity. We could not have asked for more it was a perfect trip. No accessible public transportation to get around island - Accessible public buses are not common in the Caribbean, and St. Maarten is no exception. If you want an easy day seeing both beaches, we would recommend this tour because we found no other like it. We had a group of 6 and everyone enjoyed it. Do I need to take my passport with me on the St. Maarten Beach Bum Combo to Orient and Maho Beaches to show with my Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket? The water taxi can bring you to a stop that gets to to other water taxi routes. We found an amazing French bakery, and the guide provided plenty of drinks all day, so we had a lovely culinary experience instead. . We love to swim there after the cruisers are gone! Meet your local guide at the cruise port in Philipsburg and climb aboard your comfortable van for a half-day exploration of St Maarten. As we cross into the French side of the Island, Duce explains a bit of the history of the island, and how the Dutch and French decided to share the island rather than fight about it. This excursion is excellent for someone who wants beach time and to see the planes on Maho Beach. We had a great time and with a great driver - unique local history, lots of laughs, and 2 fun beaches to be at! . Maho beach was everything it was advertised with the planes. So if you if you are considering a cruise for your next Caribbean vacation, check out How To Cruise For Less. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. My husband and I went on this excursion March 28th, 2018. Id like to have spent more time with him, just looking into his blue eyes made me think he could cure Toms cold! The only construction I see on the island is the resort hotel being built next to the Casino on Maho Beach. Round-trip transportation from your St. Maarten cruise ship terminal! Take advantage of water sports facilities (own expense) such as jet skis, sailboats, paragliding and kids activities. No. Good to know, ya know.). Taxi would return you to the Cruise Facility. Today, its a bay of abandon boats. Learn about the culture and history of the island from your guide while enjoying complimentary beer, water and soda. 1111 west Road SXM 8007 St. Maarten. To get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach, you'll need to take a taxi. and that would be the easiest way to get there and back without a hassle. Make sure you take a camera. Locate land taxi station. . The sky might have been blue by then, but the sea was ragingly choppy and the tide swept me off my feet several times before I could even think about getting further out into the water. And the area directly in the path to the runway was naturally where people gravitated towards; everyone needs the money shot of themselves with an airplane zooming low behind. Look for a bus with a 'Maho' or 'Mullet Bay' or 'M'Bay' sign in the window. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Water Taxi - a great way to get to downtown Philipsburg for a low cost. Mullet Bay looks the closest but I have heard it is easier to get a return taxi to the cruise port from Maho. Saw your question and wondered if you found where to take a bus to Maho? The tour took longer than expected but was still able to get to the ship on time. We drive through Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island. I cant answer the rest as Ive only done land trips, but cash is king. Probably not. Airplanes create quite humungous jet blasts when theyre taking off, and so it seems fairly logical that you shouldnt stand too close. Sounds like there would be taxi vans available to hire for the day without necessarily reserving in advance. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. How much is water taxi to main beach from cruise - Maho Beach Cheapest Way to Get from the Cruise Terminal to Maho Beach - The Art of We find a spot on the sand, and I lay on my back trying to film the incoming planes. Where Do Cruise Ships Dock at St. Martin? | USA Today How to: Ferry To St. John from Cruise Ship Docks (St. Thomas) Direction: St. Thomas to St. John # 1: Choose a Departure Time There are two ferry routes that connect St. Thomas and St. John. I am visiting via cruise ship and will be taking a taxi to AUC medical school for a tour. :), I just rent a car, stay for awhile then off for some exploding. Good tour, covering the whole island of St Maarten, both Dutch and French sides. The bus will drop you in Philipsburg, without an option to continue to the Cruise Facility, another $3 pp by taxi or your return ticket (wristband) on the Water Taxi. How Much is the Ferry from Nassau to Paradise Island. Orient beach was filled with seaweeds so maybe it was a bad time of the year for that, didnt get in the water because of the seaweed, the water was very rough.. That was cool. A security guard happened to ask us if we needed help and gave us new directions, otherwise we would have missed our tour. The only reason I didn't rate it one is because the bus driver did a good job (other than putting us on wrong bus). I was picked up on time by a comfortable tour bus. -Some can take credit cards, but assume cash (USD) will be needed unless pre-arranged. Pic Paradis is located between Grand Case and Marigot on the French side. Having sat in many a hot sticky vehicle on other Caribbean islands like the Dominican Republic or Antigua, I was expecting an uncomfortable journey, but considering the length of time we spent sat inside a vehicle that morning, it was surprisingly ok. Alternatively you can catch a water taxi from inside the cruise port, which is slightly more expensive. The water, though, is nice, fairly calm, and enjoyable for swimming. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Would anyone happen to know if Maho is walking distance from AUC? Meets you at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Taxi Service and Tours in St.Martin - St.Maarten. Maho Beach in St. Maarten - A Must See Beaches Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port St. Maarten Amigo Tours | Orient & Maho Beach Bum Tour 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. Port Philipsburg (locode ANPHI) is the country's principal port and largest city, with population around 2,000. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. His name is Cisco2 Godet. But there are signs posted so there is no "accidentally" wandering into that side :), We booked through Shore Excursioneer for our 6/24/15 cruise stop in St Maarten. Had a wonderful Tour Guide and great stops on this tour. Stop: 4 hours. Each airplane came in so low over the sand that it felt as if you could almost reach out and touch them as they rumbled onwards to the tarmac across the road. Got to Maho beach just in time to see 5 big planes land. Saint Martin has many other things to do besides visiting Maho Beach. There was indeed white sand and crystal clear water, but Maho Beach is also one of the most-visited beaches in St Maarten, mainly due to the fact that its built directly next to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Due to traffic congestion on afternoons, remember to give yourself sufficient time to return to the ship. The pathway along the green wire fence with the car park on your right, leads to the EDC bus parking area. So many derelict boats just floating in the water? Sorry I can't remember the guides name. Your email address will not be published. Divided in 1648, French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten coexist peacefully with no border crossing or customs procedures.
