At a glance
Why it’s easy: From the cruise pier, you can walk or water taxi to Great Bay Beach/Philipsburg, then grab a taxi for an island loop.
Don’t miss: Maho Beach for low-flying planes (best mid-day) and Orient Bay on the French side for classic white sand and beach clubs.
Budget snapshot: Water taxi ~$7 round trip; chair/umbrella packages on Great Bay commonly $20–$25.
How we did St. Maarten in one day (DIY taxi tour)
We skipped ship tours and joined a shared taxi van right at the port’s taxi area with another family—simple and affordable. Our driver did a ~4-hour island loop: Dutch side lookout → Maho Beach (plane spotting) → Marigot(French capital) for lunch/shopping → Orient Bay → drop-off in Philipsburg to swim and stroll the boardwalk.
Tip: Rates are posted and taxis are plentiful at the cruise port; official fare tables and taxi info are publicly available if you want to estimate legs in advance.
Stop-by-stop highlights
Maho Beach (Dutch side) - plane spotting
Stand on the sand just beyond Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) and watch jets glide in startlingly low. The busiest period is usually mid-day to early afternoon. Obey posted warnings, jet blast is dangerous.
Marigot (French capital)
French-side markets, cafes, and patisseries, great for a quick lunch and a stroll before heading to Orient Bay.
Orient Bay (French side)
Long, lively beach with watersports and restaurants. Note: the southern section near the former Club Orient is clothing-optional; most of the beach is standard swimwear and family-friendly.
Philipsburg & Great Bay Beach (Dutch side)
We finished the day on Great Bay Beach right by the Philipsburg boardwalk, easy swim, tons of chair vendors and snack spots, then a short walk/water taxi back to the ship.
Getting from ship to the beach (walk vs water taxi)
Walk: About 10–20 minutes (≈1–1.5 km) from the cruise terminal to Great Bay Beach/boardwalk, depending on your berth and pace.
Water taxi: ~$7 round-trip (cash), runs continuously between the pier and central Philipsburg piers.
Beach chairs, umbrellas & packages
Vendors line Great Bay Beach. Expect bundles like 2 chairs + 1 umbrella + a bucket of drinks for ~$20–$25 depending on location and season (we paid $20 and chose sodas/rum punch).
What we paid (real day, shared van)
Island loop in a shared taxi van: We paid $25 per person (7 people total).
Chairs/umbrella/drinks on Great Bay: $20 for 2 chairs + 1 umbrella + 5 drinks.
Water taxi: We often walk, but price posts show $7 RT if you want to save time.
(Prices vary by day/ship volume—bring small bills.)
Sample timeline for a 9:00–5:30 call
9:30–1:30 DIY taxi loop: lookout → Maho → Marigot → Orient Bay
1:30–4:00 Philipsburg/Great Bay Beach: swim + chairs + gelato
4:00–5:00 Walk/water taxi back, rinse off, onboard snack (Guy’s Burger, anyone?)
Family notes
Kids loved the boardwalk beach and shallow water; we skipped swimming at Maho and headed back later to swim in Philipsburg.
Sensitive kiddos? If a tooth is wiggly or energy dips, plan a quieter chair zone and shorter stops.
FAQs
Is Great Bay Beach really walkable from the ship?
Yes. It’s an easy 10–20-minute walk or a quick $7 water taxi ride to the boardwalk/beach.
When do the big planes land at Maho?
Typically mid-day to early afternoon; check the SXM arrivals on your ship’s Wi-Fi before you go. Stay well clear of jet blast areas.
Is Orient Bay nude? Is it OK for kids?
Most of Orient Bay is standard swimwear. The southern section is clothing-optional; you can choose a family-friendly stretch elsewhere along the bay.
Can I just DIY a taxi tour at the pier?
Yes, there’s a dedicated taxi area with posted fares; shared vans are common and cost-effective for island loops.
St. Maarten was an absolute beauty, postcard-perfect water, soft sand, and easy vibes all day. We grabbed a shared taxi for a 4-hour island tour that hit both the Dutch and French sides, then spent a few lazy hours back at the beach to swim and unwind. The kids practically had to be peeled out of the ocean, they didn’t want to leave. Our ship was docked alongside the Carnival Fascination, making it an effortless, sun-soaked first port day.
