Philipsburg · Sint Maarten

Great Bay Beach

The town beach of Philipsburg: soft sand and calm water along the whole Front Street boardwalk, a short water taxi from the cruise pier. Here's everything you need for a beach day, plus where to grab a cold drink without leaving the sand.

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The short version

The closest beach to the St. Maarten cruise port

Great Bay Beach is the long curve of sand in front of Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. The Front Street boardwalk runs right along it, so the beach, the shops and the bars are all within a few steps of each other.

Cruise ships dock on the same bay at the A.C. Wathey Cruise Facility, which makes Great Bay the easiest beach on the island to reach on a port day. No taxi, no tour, no stress about the all-aboard time.

The bay is sheltered, so the water is usually calm and clear. That's ideal for an easy swim, a float, or kids who want to splash around in the shallows.

Rows of blue beach loungers and yellow umbrellas on Great Bay Beach along the Philipsburg boardwalk

Getting there

From the cruise pier to the sand

Water taxi · 5–10 min

The quickest way over. The water taxi leaves from the cruise pier and drops you on the Great Bay boardwalk, right at the beach.

Walk · 20–25 min

It's about 1.5 miles / 2.4 km along the waterfront into Philipsburg. Easy and flat, but bring water. It's hotter than it looks.

Time ashore · 6–9 hrs

A typical port stop leaves loads of time for a swim, lunch and a wander down Front Street before heading back to the ship.

Full details, including taxis and getting back on time: St. Maarten cruise port guide.

Guest relaxing at Thirsty Pirate Beach Bar with a cruise ship and Great Bay beach loungers in the background, Sint Maarten

How to do it

A Great Bay beach day, done right

Grab a chair and umbrella. The boardwalk bars rent loungers on the sand out front. Shade matters: the Caribbean sun is stronger than you think.
Swim the calm water. The bay is sheltered, so it's an easy, gentle swim right off the sand.
Order from your chair. Most bars bring drinks and food down to the beach. Frozen rum punch and a cold Carib are the classics.
Walk Front Street. Duty-free shops and souvenirs are one block back from the sand when you want a break from the sun.
Watch the clock. Set an alarm for an hour before your all-aboard. Here's how to plan the day.

On the sand · 69C Front St

Your base on Great Bay: the Thirsty Pirate

Thirsty Pirate SXM sits right on the boardwalk with Great Bay Beach out front: chairs and umbrellas on the sand, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a grill turning out burgers, fresh mahi mahi and coconut shrimp. The bar pours frozen rum punch, daiquiris and buckets of cold Carib.

We're open 9 AM – 6 PM daily, steps from where the water taxi lands, so it works whether your ship is in for four hours or ten.

See the menu · What to drink in St. Maarten

Sunny Great Bay Beach with umbrellas and swimmers a few steps from Thirsty Pirate Beach Bar

Local tips

Good to know before you go

Bring cash in small US bills. US dollars work almost everywhere on the Dutch side. More on money and tipping.
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, water. Midday sun on the sand is intense.
Keep valuables close. It's a busy town beach on ship days, so don't leave phones and wallets unattended on your chair.
Want a quieter beach? Little Bay, Mullet Bay and Maho are farther out. Compare them in our beaches near the cruise port guide.

Good to know

Great Bay Beach FAQ

Where is Great Bay Beach?

Great Bay Beach is the town beach of Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island). It runs the full length of the Front Street boardwalk, facing the harbour where the cruise ships dock.

How do I get to Great Bay Beach from the cruise port?

Take the water taxi from the cruise pier (about 5–10 minutes), which drops you right on the boardwalk, or walk the waterfront path into town in about 20–25 minutes (about 1.5 miles / 2.4 km).

Is Great Bay Beach good for swimming?

Yes. The beach sits inside a sheltered bay, so the water is usually calm and gentle, which makes it an easy swim for most people. As on any beach, check conditions on the day and keep an eye on kids.

Can you rent beach chairs and umbrellas on Great Bay Beach?

Yes. The bars along the boardwalk rent loungers and umbrellas on the sand in front of them, and most will bring drinks and food right to your chair. Thirsty Pirate has chairs and umbrellas out front.

Are there restrooms and Wi-Fi at Great Bay Beach?

The beach itself is public, but the boardwalk bars and restaurants have restrooms and Wi-Fi for their guests. Thirsty Pirate has both for anyone grabbing a drink or a bite.

Is Great Bay Beach free?

Yes. The sand is public and free to use. You only pay if you want to rent a chair and umbrella or order food and drinks from one of the boardwalk bars.