St. Maarten / Saint-Martin is two countries on one small island: the Dutch side's lively Philipsburg boardwalk and the French side's chic cafés and beaches. Plane-spotting at Maho Beach is famous worldwide.
Ships dock at the A.C. Wathey cruise facility in Great Bay, just east of Philipsburg.
Shops and taxi dispatch are at the pier.
Walk 15 minutes along the bay or take the water taxi to the boardwalk.
Maho Beach, Orient Bay and Marigot are 20–40 minutes away.
One cruise facility with several berths.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| All lines | Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Port, Great Bay | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
These cruise lines typically include St. Maarten on their itineraries — tap one to see its sailings in the region.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in St. Maarten.
Crew a real America's Cup yacht in a race around Great Bay — no experience needed.
Find tours →Marigot market, Orient Bay, Maho Beach and viewpoints on both sides.
Find tours →Sail to a marine reserve for snorkelling, then a beach stop.
Find tours →The French side's liveliest beach with clubs, food and watersports.
Find tours →Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
St. Maarten is half Dutch, half French, with dozens of beaches across both sides, including Great Bay right in Philipsburg near the cruise pier.
| Beach | Getting there | Best for | Vibe | Snorkelling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bay (Philipsburg) | Walk or water taxi | Convenience | Lively boardwalk | ★ |
| Maho Beach | Taxi | Watching planes land | Thrilling, busy | ★ |
| Mullet Bay | Taxi | Calm, pretty water | Relaxed | ★★ |
| Orient Bay (French side) | Taxi | Beach clubs & dining | Chic, lively | ★★ |
| Pinel Island | Taxi + ferry | Snorkelling & calm water | Peaceful | ★★★ |
Prices, packages and opening days change often. Check current details before you go, or ask me and I'll arrange the right beach day for you.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
Beach bars on the boardwalk, then duty-free Front Street and the Courthouse.
Best time: December–April. Highs 28–31°C / 82–88°F. Hurricane season June–November.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10 |
| Feb ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 8 |
| Mar ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 8 |
| Apr ⭐ | 86°F / 30°C | 75°F / 24°C | 8 |
| May | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 10 |
| Jun | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 9 |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 11 |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 79°F / 26°C | 12 |
| Sep | 90°F / 32°C | 79°F / 26°C | 12 |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 13 |
| Nov | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 13 |
| Dec ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 12 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
About 20–25 minutes.
Pier to Philipsburg boardwalk.
Philipsburg to Marigot and beyond.
About 15 minutes.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to St. Maarten.
Yes. Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg is walkable, or take the water taxi.
Orient Bay for beach clubs, Mullet Bay for calm water, and Maho for plane-spotting.
No. US dollars are widely accepted on both sides.
Yes, but stay safe and keep well clear during take-offs.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Two countries on one island — Dutch beaches, French cafés and Maho's famous plane-spotting.
St. Maarten has published lift/ramp sightseeing options, with device-weight and assistance limits that matter more than a general island accessibility label.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Lift or ramp; weight limit applies
Carnival specifies a step-avoiding route, lift/ramp transport and a combined passenger-and-device maximum of 560 lb. Guides cannot push wheelchairs. The itinerary includes Philipsburg, Marigot and scenic villages, so reserve the wheelchair version rather than a similarly named standard island tour.
Dedicated mobility-device booking
Norwegian lists a separate excursion for guests fully dependent on their wheelchair or scooter, requires their own device and identifies accessible restrooms along the route. Companions and ambulatory guests use a different booking code.
Planning suggestion: use a confirmed adapted island tour for cross-island sightseeing, with the booked device space and companion places on the same departure.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
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Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
