Philipsburg is one of those Caribbean calls where the easy version is genuinely good, but the memorable version requires a little discipline. The port gives you a rare mix: a beach with jets dropping low overhead, a big white-sand scene with clubs and watersports, a boardwalk that folds shopping into Great Bay views, and a French-side market with crepes, spices, and yacht harbor scenery. The trap is trying to turn all of that into one heroic loop.
For a port day, St. Maarten works best when you choose a headline experience and build around it. Aviation nerds should not overthink Maho Beach. Beach-first travelers can choose between the social energy of Orient Beach and the quieter cove feel of Mullet Bay. If you want less sand in the day, Philipsburg and Marigot deliver an easy culture-and-snacks route, while Loterie Farm and Creole Rock are better for travelers who would rather climb, zip, hike, or snorkel than browse duty-free shelves.
Make Maho Beach your big visual moment
Maho Beach is the St. Maarten image people remember: planes coming in low over the sand, the airport right behind the beach, and crowds posted up for the next landing. It is not the island's calmest beach day, and that is the point. Prioritize it if you want a quick-hit spectacle, a loud story, and photos that look nothing like a standard Caribbean stop. If you are sensitive to crowds or noise, treat Maho as a targeted visit rather than the whole day.
Aviation fans, first-timers, and travelers who want one unmistakable St. Maarten memory.
Use Orient Beach when the plan is a proper beach day
Orient Beach is the obvious pick when you want to commit to sand, water, and a more social beach setup. The long white-sand stretch has beach clubs and watersports, so it suits groups that want options without constantly moving around. It is also nude-optional, with the quieter side giving it a different feel from the busier club areas. For cruise passengers, the smart move is to make Orient the anchor of the day, not a quick add-on after too many other stops.
Things to do in St. Maarten
Maho Beach
Watch planes land inches overhead at airport beach. Jet blast fences for thrill. Aviation spectacle.
Orient Beach
Nude-optional white sand stretch with watersports and beach clubs. Nude side quieter. Epic beach day.
Philipsburg Boardwalk
Duty-free shopping, Front Street bars, and beach. Great Bay cruise views. Dutch charm.
Marigot Market
French-side stalls with spices, cheese, and crepes. Yacht harbor views. Euro-Caribbean fusion.
Cruise port FAQs
- Is St. Maarten a good cruise port for beach lovers?
- Yes. Orient Beach is the bigger beach-day option with clubs and watersports, while Mullet Bay offers a quieter cove feel. Maho Beach is more about the plane-watching spectacle than a purely relaxing beach day.
- What is the most iconic thing to do in St. Maarten on a cruise stop?
- Maho Beach is the signature visual experience, thanks to planes landing low over the sand near the airport. It is best for travelers who want a bold, memorable stop rather than a peaceful beach afternoon.
- Can I have a good day without leaving Philipsburg?
- Yes. The Philipsburg Boardwalk combines duty-free shopping, Front Street bars, beach access, and Great Bay views, making it a practical choice for passengers who want an easy, low-planning day.
- Is there more to do than beaches in St. Maarten?
- Yes. Marigot Market adds French-side food and harbor scenery, Loterie Farm offers rainforest activities like ziplining and hiking, and Fort Amsterdam gives a historic viewpoint over Great Bay.
- Which St. Maarten stop is best for active travelers?
- Loterie Farm is the strongest land-based active option, with zipline and rope-course experiences plus a waterfall hike. Snorkeling at Creole Rock is the better pick if you want the active part of the day in the water.
