Rick, our driver and guide, was very informative and had a good sense of humour, pointing out places of interest and explaining the history behind them as well as the history of the island. 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. Or see if the cruise line has an excursion going to Maho. Things To Do Fun Fact: St. Maarten has the unique position of having a beachside capital. and that would be the easiest way to get there and back without a hassle. Steps into water taxi - Many people take a water taxi from the cruise dock to Philipsburg, but wheelchair users won't have this option. 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. My impression of the island overall is better now that Ive seen it all. Today, there are two of everything here, school systems, utilities, housing systems, languages, even two different names for the island. Fun way to see both the Dutch and French sides of the Island. For a slightly different vibe, and the opportunity to cook your own food on lava stones, head to the Palms Grill at the opposite end of the beach. You can also get there by bus from Philipsburg, $2 per person each way. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This beach is located on the French Side called St Martin and is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. 1111 west Road SXM 8007 St. Maarten. The trip also included beer, pop, water, and rum punch. I searched first but didnt find anything specifically on this. The best time to go is in the early afternoon when the larger jumbo jets land. A aquarium taxi from the cruise . Orient Beach the water is very clear and you can purchase 2 chairs for about $10, a welcome drink and wifi. Couples sat with suitcases drank their last cocktails in paradise before they headed off to the airport, and groups of friends whod just arrived were already on their fourth or fifth cocktail as music pounded from the speakers. Read our community guidelines. Our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There will be a bus by shortly, though there is no schedule as they are independent operators. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. The Airplane Beach in St Maarten is not what I was expecting. King David was the best tour guide. Learn the best things to do at the port of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Arriving aircraft must touch down as close as possible to the beginning of. Maho is amazing. As a result, it is hugely popular with visitors taking photos and videos. For this port, I decided we had to visit Maho and experience the planes. Great Bay Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Orient Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Cupecoy Beach; St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Soon the sun is shining and we head to the beach for some photos. Following pick-up from the cruise port at Philipsburg, transfer to Orient Beach to discover the longest beach in St. Maarten. We had a small group with a family my kids loved. This is your ticket to the beach and back; the taxi will drop you in the car park close to Maho Beach, and taxi vans regularly take passengers back from the exact same spot. Taxi's are plentiful weather you catch it by the pier or in town. They did send another driver, however, we missed out on a lot because of the time lost. The chairs and umbrellas were great. Rick was an awesome & knowledgeable guide. Tortola forums. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Watching the planes land over our heads at the beach. About $20-30 per person. What are the ins and outs of taking a taxi? Locate land taxi station. . To get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach, you'll need to take a taxi. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Kim Sha is a popular starting point for dive and excursion boats. Some people go as part of their private tour. 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. Guests will be at Maho Beach in time to see the planes come in for a landing. St. Maarten has constructed a wonderful new cruise terminal. Small bills so no one has to worry about change. Look for a bus with a 'Maho' or 'Mullet Bay' or 'M'Bay' sign in the window. Its longer and broader than Great Bay Beach. 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. We disembarked around 9am, and walked around the little shops in the secure area of the port. . His name is Cisco2 Godet. :), You convinced me not to rent a car. It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at this location. Simply contact us via email reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com within 14 days of your missed excursion date for a deposit refund. . You'll get back on the return bus on the other side of the street from where you got off. Next to the Sunset Beach Bar is Sandbar, a colourful new eatery which offers just about every kind of food you could wish for, from sushi and burgers to tacos and smores. Working hard to get some videos (moments before I got soaked) Can you take a water taxi to Maho Beach from cruise port? Complimentary refreshments are included! Kind of like never standing at the back end of a horse. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! As a result, it often draws large crowds. We wanted to take this tour because we wanted to see these famous beaches and the price was perfect. 60K subscribers in the Cruise community. This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. They are quick and easy and the best prices. Guana Bay Beach, located on the southeast coast of the island, offers great views of St. Barthelemy and is used for wind and kite surfing. This was our second trip to St. Marteen, and we wanted to see both of these famous beaches. A 5-hour guided tour through the Dutch and French parts of St Maarten, Cross over to the French side of the island and explore Lucas Bay, Receive free beer, water and soda during the entire tour, Includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, Covered by Viators worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship, You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup, Saint Martin, 79 Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten, Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, No heart problems or other serious medical conditions, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers. We got dropped off at a bar where they rented chairs for $5. Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. CONTACT US. Maho was crowded but to be expected. Pbx: +1-721-542-0108 visitstmaarten @ shta.com There was a nice place to eat and have drinks right at the beach. Maarten. As they were taking us over, they mentioned that you could walk about 10 minutes to this point on the beach that was marked with an orange marker, and then drift snorkel back to the drop off point. 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. We were happy to see others waiting. What are our options for getting to Maho Beach from the port? 1. Note that the beach is on the French side and therefore clothing is optional. jacksonville, nc news obituaries; quorn advert 2021 actors; eden bay tonic water leaking; Media. A five-hour shore excursion with transportation to Orient Bay and Maho Beach will start at $40 per person. I also just read about the city bus, so we might do that unless you advise against it. It lies right in from of the city of Philipsburg. Check out the Philipsburg, St. Maarten cruise port viewing reviews and 3861 photos from real travelers. They dock and stay for few hours so you can watch planes or swim to the beach. Maho Beach is usually a favorite of visitors to the island and it is a tiny beach. Take advantage of water sports facilities (own expense) such as jet skis, sailboats, paragliding and kids activities. Beach Bum Combo to Maho and Orient Beach. Gio was a great guide, starting off the tour with some rum punch. Loved the beaches. Experience the highlights of St Maarten on this 5-hour shore excursion leaving from the cruise port. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88317462', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship pier. You will have approximately 2 hours at each beach. There are no full restrooms but there is a port-a-potty available and usually there is a crowd on weekends. Where does the bus drop you off and how do you know when you can get the bus back? Maho Beach is famous because it is located so close to the airport that landing planes will swoop so close over the heads of beachgoers that some of them get knocked off their feet. We said no thanks but they wouldn't even let us sit on a towel in the area, so we just walked around. When we arrived at place to start our tour, we asked which bus was ours. That's where the planes come in right over the beach! Any tours of the island for those spending a day? English-speaking certified driver and guide! Flight times are all displayed on the Sunset Beach Bar that is located right on the Maho Beach where all the planes take off and land. It does not get deep for quite a while so kids can safely enjoy the waves. -I would make a reservation and pay particular attention on how they suggest to meet you in the chaos. Maho Beach in St. Maarten - A Must See Beaches Getting To Maho Beach From The Cruise Port there can be long wait for buses as there is no set schedule, and they make many stops on the way. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. . 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. Have a great time at Maho. Make sure you take a camera. I think that I saw the boat that you are referring to when I was on the island earlier this month. I understand that a lot of the mess I see was caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Allnecessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket. Thanks so much. Also note that the local bus is actually a VAN with a sign for destination placed in the front window (similar van to most of the 'taxi"): Once you reach the Back Street in Downtown (Philipsburg), if you see a van like the one above, you can also simply wave and the driver will stop and pick you up. Actually, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Call 1 721 580 7594 for further assistance. I believe the tour is called "Airport Adventure SXM", https://www.greatbayferry.com/adventure-excursions. We drove around the entire island with stops at various lookup points, with stops on Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Additionally, there is a clothing optional area on this beach. . Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. . I cant answer the rest as Ive only done land trips, but cash is king. He makes it the same way I do, mango, pineapple, passion fruit and lots of rum. The restaurants and bars are huddled at opposite ends of Maho Beach, although the entire thing is so small that it only takes about ten minutes to walk from one end to the other. . Had a wonderful Tour Guide and great stops on this tour. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME! Get answers to your questions about Tortola. Punctual pick up, good beach afternoon seeing planes overhead at Maho beach. There are a few nudist resorts here, and part of the beach is clothing optional. All in all it was a fabulous day! I was a little too close to the water, however, and got completely drenched by an incoming wave. If you would rather walk there, it's only a 15-minute walk down the boardwalk, and you can enjoy music and some local bars and restaurants along the way. That's where you will find the $2 bus. Recommended Posts. Try all . I will say that you need to be on the beach to get the "airplane" experience. Travelers recommend Sunset Beach Bar for the best views. How long is the bus ride vs. taking a taxi to Maho/Mullet? The sun was scorching hot and getting into the cool water melted away the crazy sweaty energy of the beach bar. Members; 2 January 9, 2013; Tampa, FL #1 Share; Aburkhard7. driving to spain through france covid; food truck commissary lancaster, ca; 355 taper tip graphite iron shafts. For photos and video go to TheHolloWAYtoTravel.com, Tour itself was excellent but started nearly an hour late waiting for customers from other ships Powered by Invision Community, We took the bus to Maho. This beach is about 30 minutes from the cruise port via taxi along Airport road. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 5 1/2 hr tour covering both Dutch & French highlights of the island. On the French part (Saint Martin) is Marigot. Does anyone know about this and what it may be called? I don't want to worry this time. . We went to to him, showed him our tickets, and he said get on. Very fun, but that's a separate vacation not just a cruise stop. . English-speaking certified driver and guide! Persons born and living on the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) carry Netherlands Antilles passports, while the French side (Saint-Martin), issues French passports and conducts its business in a more European manner. Orient Bay Beach is excellent for water sport activities such as snorkeling and many individuals prefer it for swimming and sunbathing than Great Bay Beach. If your only goal is to see a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Orient Beach boasts a wide range of beach bars and restaurants, all within easy reach of the sand. BTW, for what it is worth, the beach is just fine. No accessible public transportation to get around island - Accessible public buses are not common in the Caribbean, and St. Maarten is no exception. I guess its the American in me that expects this should be at least in the process of being cleaned up but I dont see any work being done. Pretty pretty Funchal Posted November 19, 2022. Next, we head to Marigot, still on the French side. Water taxi/tour to Maho beach? She pointed to a man in a red cap. I can provide a contact for taxi if you like that costs 15. Grab a beach towel, umbrella or a sun. Experience the highlights of St Maarten on this 5-hour shore excursion leaving from the cruise port. To get from St Maarten cruise port to Maho Beach, youll need to take a taxi. I had a great day watching the planes on Maho Beach, but will I be going back there in a hurry, pals? We rented a jet ski and had a great time on it. By the time we got to Maho Beach, it was standing room only, but we knew it was going to be a busy day on the island before we booked. First timer - want to rent a large villa - so many questions. This is important to remember when you have to get back to the boat. The Maho Beach was great for the planes but intimidating to swim at this time of year. This tour had its pros & cons. 10 due to the short runway length of 2,180 metres (7,152 ft ) resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at minimal altitude. 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. There are multiple steps down into the boat. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. That happened to me in Grand Cayman. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. I did not take a taxi, I rented a car however as taxi fees are high. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. I enjoyed the experience a must see if visiting the island. !as they posed for group photos. Great Bay Beach is also situated near car rentals, restaurants, bars and cafes and is a fantastic beach for swimming. You're driver will know the drill. 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. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. Several beaches receive far fewer crowds than Orient or Great Bay and are worth seeing for people with extra time available. There are several shops selling watches, jewelery, perfume and electronic gadgets nearby. Fondly known as Airplane beach, as planes usually have to approach the landing at an altitude of less than 100 feet. Both little and big planes land about every fifteen minutes, which was really fun. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Read on for further details about St Maartens beautiful beaches with contributions from a native of the island. Saint Martin has many other things to do besides visiting Maho Beach. A water taxi, $4 one way, continually runs from the cruise terminal to different spots at the beach promenade or you can walk ( 10 min.) I had 6 port stops on this cruise, and this was by far the worst of the tours we took. We are stopping at Orient Beach, where its raining as we arrive. Thanks again! you can check the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Port Philipsburg (locode ANPHI) is the country's principal port and largest city, with population around 2,000. This is the highest point on the island and boasts one of a kind views of St. Maarten and neighboring islands. Some excursion operators quote prices as low as $15 per person for a transfer from the cruise port to Maho Beach. Which beaches have the least chance of seaweed? Did not like the 45 minutes stop at flea market. If you like sun, go up the narrow ladder to the top deck. We have considered renting a car as well. They are also used as methods of touring the island, these water taxis stop at nearby beaches and near popular shopping centers. Taxis are readily available at the cruise port, and at Maho. Taxi service is readily available at the cruise pier; taxi fare is approximately $20 each way. Just came back and this was our first time booking something outside of Carnival. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. That was cool. Take a look at the end of my posting over in this earlier thread. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The water taxi picked us up right at the pier, and it was a quick 25-30-minute ride to the small island, and we arrived at 2pm. Ride in an air-conditioned van to Maho Beach on the Dutch side of this Caribbean island and Lucas Bay on the French side. Highly recommend. Stop: 4 hours. . . Just no perzonality. - easiest taxi company to make a reservation with? Id like to have spent more time with him, just looking into his blue eyes made me think he could cure Toms cold! Pic Paradis (Peak Paradise) Tours & Tickets, Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Spots in St. Maarten, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort Tours & Tickets. It is larger than Maho beach and it a good option for beginner snorkeling as you can see fishes near the shoreline. You can choose to go parasailing, jet skiing, on water . In 2017 a woman from New Zealand was killed when she was thrown backwards by a jet blast from a Caribbean Airlines flight which was taking off. 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. :), I just rent a car, stay for awhile then off for some exploding. You didn't ask, but I would only go to Maho beach if I really wanted to see airplanes. Taxis may not be waiting on your return, but your friendly local Maho beach bar (I would highly recommend Guy's) should be able to call one for you. Im thinking they should at least sink the boats it could eventually become a good snorkel spot? Shops, cafes, car rentals and restaurants are located nearby. Mayo Beach has to be experienced although very busy. The beautiful waters and beaches. The big planes (not inter island commuter ones) start arriving around noon. Rainclouds rarely stick around for long, and we were confident that by the time we reached the airplane beach it would have passed.
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