Dutch side · The capital
18° 01′ N · 63° 03′ W
Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side: a town squeezed between Great Bay Beach and the Great Salt Pond, with duty-free shopping streets, a seaside boardwalk and cruise ships docked at the end of the bay.
It is the gateway for thousands of cruise passengers: the town follows the ships’ schedule, very busy by day and much quieter at night. Come to stroll Front Street, stretch out on the sand of Great Bay and see the other half of the island.
Here you pay in US dollars: the official currency is the Caribbean guilder, but dollars are accepted everywhere and there is no need to exchange money.
Updated October 2026
Downtown fits into three streets running parallel to the beach: the Boardwalk, Front Street and Back Street. Everything is walkable.
Front Street and Back Street are the town’s two shopping streets: jewelry, watches, perfume, electronics and liquor, all duty-free. Compare prices between shops before you buy.
Bring home a bottle of Guavaberry, the local liqueur. Between the two streets, small alleys such as Old Street hide more shops and a few cafés.
Shops mostly open during the day · Very busy on cruise ship days
The promenade runs along Great Bay Beach: soft sand, a gentle slope and often calm water in the bay. You can rent chairs and umbrellas, with bars and restaurants steps away.
It is the best plan for a short port call: the beach is in town, a 15 to 20-minute walk from the cruise port, or a few minutes by water taxi.
Free access · No lifeguard · Public restrooms on the Boardwalk
On the point between Great Bay and Little Bay, the ruins of Fort Amsterdam are the oldest Dutch fort on the island, with a great view of both bays.
Just behind it, Little Bay Beach is public and often very calm. You can snorkel over the underwater sculpture park of Under SXM: more than 300 pieces about 16 feet down.
Public beach · Free parking before the Divi gatehouse, then on foot
Cruise ships dock at the east end of the bay. On the way out, Harbour Point Village has restrooms, an ATM, a tourist information desk and the taxi stand.
To reach town: a 15 to 20-minute walk along the harbor, or the water taxi (about $5 one way, $7 for the day). It is all explained in our cruise port guide.
Our picks in and around Philipsburg, each with a full page on the site. Tap a number to see it on the map.
The town beach along the Boardwalk: chairs, bars and often calm water.
A sheltered bay, public and free, great for snorkeling.
Above town, on the Atlantic side: wild and stunning, but dangerous to swim unless the sea is calm.
The Holland House restaurant on the Boardwalk: a nice lunch or dinner facing the bay.
Lazy Lizard Restaurant & Craft Bar
A family-friendly Caribbean bar and grill on the Boardwalk, minutes from the port.
A sports bar open onto the beach, handy between two shops.
Up in the hills at Rockland Estate: modern Caribbean food in a former sugar mill.
Open since 1978, right on the sand of Great Bay and on the Boardwalk.
An all-inclusive resort on the Little Bay peninsula, above town.
Guided snorkeling over the Little Bay underwater sculpture park.
Rainforest Adventures St Maarten
The Flying Dutchman zip line and a chairlift on Sentry Hill, at Rockland Estate.
ATVs, buggies or Jeeps from Pointe Blanche, near the port.
Perfect for a port day: everything is walkable, and the beach is never far.
9 am
Shops open: browse before the cruise crowds, and taste some Guavaberry.
11 am
Snorkel over the sculptures with Under SXM, or just swim in calm water.
1 pm
Facing the sea at Ocean Lounge or Lazy Lizard.
3 pm
A chair and umbrella on the downtown beach, then back to the port by water taxi.
Upcoming events listed on our site.
11 Nov.
39th Around the Island Relay Race
Wed. 11 Nov. | 07:00 · Belair Community & Fitness Center
15 Nov.
30th Harbor to Pier Open Water Challenge Philipsburg
Sun. 15 Nov. | 07:00 · Harbor to Cyrus Wathey Pier
22 Nov.
Dynamics Cross Country Run for Kids in Philipsburg
Sun. 22 Nov. | 06:30 · Ring Road Entrance
6 Dec.
Sun. 6 Dec. | 06:00 · Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Stroll Front Street and the Boardwalk, swim at Great Bay, see Fort Amsterdam and snorkel at Little Bay. Nearly everything is walkable.
Yes. The Boardwalk and Front Street are a 15 to 20-minute walk along a flat sidewalk by the harbor. A water taxi also runs, for about $5 one way or $7 for the day.
US dollars, accepted everywhere. The official currency is the Caribbean guilder, but there is no need to get any. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Yes: soft sand, a gentle slope and often calm water, right downtown. It is busier than the wild beaches, especially on cruise ship days, and there is no lifeguard.
The duty-free shops on Front Street sell jewelry, watches, perfume and liquor. The local souvenir is Guavaberry, the island’s liqueur.
Less than during the day: the town follows the cruise ship schedule. For nightlife, Simpson Bay and Maho are the best bet.
