St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide: Your Day Ashore

Your ship docks in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. Here is everything you need for a smooth day ashore: getting to town, the best things to do for the time you have, and how to be back on board on time.

Updated October 2026

Two cruise ships docked at the Philipsburg cruise port, seen from the hills

The essentials in 30 seconds

Where you dock: Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Facility in Pointe Blanche, at the eastern end of Philipsburg (Dutch side).
Distance to town: About 1 mile: 15 to 20 minutes on foot, or a few minutes by water taxi.
Currency: US dollars are accepted everywhere, on both sides of the island. So are credit cards, almost everywhere.
Language: English is spoken everywhere.
Time zone: Atlantic Time (UTC-4) all year. From November to mid-March, that is 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Time.
Ride apps: No Uber or Lyft on the island. If you need one, there is a taxi stand inside the cruise port.
What to carry: Your cruise card, a photo ID and some cash in small bills.

From the ship to downtown Philipsburg

When you step off the ship, you walk through Harbour Point Village, the port's open-air shopping area. You will find restrooms, an ATM, a tourist information desk, the taxi stand and the meeting points for shore excursions.

On foot (free)

Turn left out of the port gate and follow the sidewalk along the harbor. In 15 to 20 minutes you reach the Boardwalk along Great Bay Beach, with Front Street one block behind. The walk is flat but very sunny: bring water and a hat.

Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach seen from the hills

By water taxi

Water taxis shuttle between the cruise port and the Philipsburg Boardwalk all day. Expect about $5 one way or about $7 for an all-day pass. Lines can be long in the morning when several ships arrive: walk to town and take the boat back.

The downtown Philipsburg pier, where the water taxis arrive

By taxi

If you need one, there is a taxi stand inside the cruise port.

What to do for the time you have ashore

Most ships stay 6 to 9 hours. Count your time back from "all aboard", not from the ship's departure time.

Less than 4 hours: Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach

"Old Street" sign with its lion statues on Front Street, Philipsburg

Stay close to the ship. Stroll the Boardwalk, rent two beach chairs and an umbrella on Great Bay Beach, and browse the duty-free shops of Front Street: jewelry, watches, liquor and Guavaberry, the island's local liqueur. Everything is within walking distance, so there is no risk of missing the ship.

Budget: free, plus chairs and lunch. From the ship: 15 to 20 minutes on foot.

5 to 6 hours: watch the planes at Maho Beach

A plane flying low over Maho Beach before landing

This is the island's most famous sight: airliners pass right above the beach before landing at Princess Juliana Airport. The big jets usually arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon, and the Sunset Bar posts the day's arrival times. For a calmer swim afterwards, Mullet Bay is 5 minutes away.

Warning: Never stand behind the airport fence during a takeoff. The jet blast can throw people onto the road and has already caused a fatal accident.

By taxi from the ship: about 25 minutes, more in traffic.

6 hours or more: the French side

Aerial view of Orient Bay beach on the French side

There is no border control: crossing to the French side feels like crossing a state line. Orient Bay is the island's long, lively beach, with beach clubs and water sports. Marigot, the French capital, has a waterfront market (busiest on Wednesday and Saturday mornings), cafés and the ruins of Fort Louis, with a view over the bay. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but prices are often shown in euros.

Marigot and its marina at dusk, seen from the hills

By taxi from the ship: 25 to 30 minutes.

For thrill seekers: the zip line

Rainforest Adventures, high on Sentry Hill (Rockland Estate), runs a chairlift with views over the whole island and the Flying Dutchman, billed as one of the steepest zip lines in the world. Book online in advance and check the opening hours for your date.

How to be back on board on time

Plan to be back at the pier at least 1 hour before "all aboard". If you explore on your own and run late, the ship will not wait for you.
Go by ship time, not your phone. Your phone may switch to island time on its own, while your ship may keep another time zone.
Watch the traffic. Afternoon jams are common around Philipsburg, Cole Bay and Simpson Bay, and the Simpson Bay drawbridge stops cars when it opens.
Avoid ferry day trips to Anguilla or St. Barts on your own: a delay at sea or at customs can make you miss your ship. Book them through your cruise line instead.
Keep the port agent's phone number with you: it is printed in the ship's daily program.

Drawbridge opening times

Money, phone and safety

Money. US dollars are used everywhere. On the Dutch side, change may come in Caribbean guilders (XCG, 1.79 to the dollar). On the French side, prices are often in euros. Keep small bills ($1, $5 and $10) for taxis and beach chairs.

Tipping. About 15% in restaurants on the Dutch side if service is not included. On the French side, service is usually included.

Phone. Turn off data on the ship's network, which is very expensive, and use your carrier's international day pass or the free Wi-Fi in cafés.

Safety. Philipsburg and the main beaches are busy and safe during the day. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings on the beach and never leave anything in a taxi.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk from the cruise port to Philipsburg?

Yes. The Boardwalk and Front Street are 15 to 20 minutes away on foot, along a flat sidewalk by the harbor. A water taxi also runs all day for about $5 one way or $7 for a day pass.

Do I need a passport to get off the ship in St. Maarten?

On a closed-loop cruise from the US, cruise lines accept a birth certificate with a government photo ID. A passport is still strongly recommended: if you miss your ship, you will need it to fly home.

Can I visit the French side from the cruise port?

Yes. There is no border control between the two sides of the island. Marigot and Orient Bay are both about 25 minutes away by taxi.

Do I need euros?

No. US dollars are accepted everywhere on both sides, and credit cards are widely used.

Is there Uber in St. Maarten?

No, there is no Uber or Lyft. If you need one, there is a taxi stand inside the cruise port.