St. Maarten has 30-plus beaches, but when you’re on a cruise clock, the ones that matter are the ones you can reach and enjoy without stressing about the ship. The best of the bunch for a port day is the one you can walk to — Great Bay Beach, right on the Philipsburg boardwalk — but if you’ve got wheels and time, a few others are worth the trip. Here’s how they stack up.

Great Bay Beach (right on the boardwalk)

Distance from the port: a 5–10 minute water taxi, or a 20–25 minute walk.

This is the easy winner for cruise passengers. Great Bay Beach stretches the full length of the Philipsburg boardwalk, so soft sand and calm, swimmable water are never more than a minute from the shops, the restaurants and — importantly — a cold drink.

Rent a lounge chair and umbrella, swim in the protected bay, and settle in for the day. Because the Thirsty Pirate and the other boardwalk bars back right onto the sand, you can order frozen rum punch and lunch without leaving your chair. For most port days, this is all the beach you need.

Little Bay

Distance from the port: a short taxi ride.

Just around the headland from Philipsburg, Little Bay is a quieter, resort-backed cove with calm water and good snorkeling near the rocks. It’s close enough for a port day and a nice change of pace if the main boardwalk feels busy.

Maho Beach (the airport beach)

Distance from the port: a longer drive across the island.

Maho is the famous one — the beach at the end of the airport runway, where jets roar in just overhead. The swimming is secondary to the spectacle. It’s a bucket list stop, but it’s on the far side of the island, so only attempt it if you have a full day in port and check the flight schedule so you’re there for a landing.

Mullet Bay

Distance from the port: a drive toward the Maho side.

Often called the island’s best beach, Mullet Bay has powdery sand and gorgeous water. It’s near Maho, so it pairs well if you’re already heading that way for a full-day excursion.

Orient Bay (the French side)

Distance from the port: the longest haul, on the French side.

Orient Bay is a stunner — long, lively, and lined with beach clubs — but it’s a proper drive from the cruise port. Save it for a longer port stop or a land-based stay rather than a tight day.

Which beach for your port day?

Tight on time or first cruise stop? Stay at Great Bay Beach on the boardwalk. Zero stress, everything within reach.
Half a day and a taxi? Little Bay or a trip toward Mullet Bay / Maho.
Full day, adventurous? Combine a beach with one of the best cruise excursions.

Before you head back to the ship

Whichever beach you choose, leave a comfortable buffer to return through the pier — and if you’re on the boardwalk, cap the day with a frozen rum punch and a plate off the grill at the Thirsty Pirate, right where the water taxi lands. It’s the easiest way to end a St. Maarten beach day. Find us here.

The Best Beaches Near the Philipsburg Cruise Port