Dutch Side Beaches: Great Bay Beach (Near the Philipsburg cruise port)Little Bay Beach ($6 by Taxi or 20 minutes walking)
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Mullet Bay sits near the airport, just south of scenic Cupecoy Beach and is free to visit. Many call calm and quiet Mullet a decent alternative to the noise and sand blasts of Maho Bay, or to the crowds of the French side's Orient Bay.
This is something you'll definitely want to consider when planning a trip to St. Maarten. Even though it's only 37 square miles in size (and you can drive all around the small island in a mere 2 hours), it's not very walkable. Of course, you can walk around the capital cities and villages.
Traveling by public bus (more like a minivan) is a reasonable means of transport on St. Maarten/St. Martin if you don't mind a bit of inconvenience and overcrowding. Buses run daily from 5am to midnight and serve most major locations on both sides of the island.
There are regular cabs available to get around from Marigot, from Philipsburg and from all tourist sites. There are regular cabs available at both airports (regional and international) seven days a week. If you do not want to rent a car on St. Martin, a cab is the ideal compromise.
The shores of northeastern St.Maarten are home to the well-known Orient Bay Beach, a well-loved stretch of sand on the island. Also referred to as the “St. Tropez” of the Caribbean, this beach is the largest in St.
Plum Bay or Baie aux Prunes beach is secluded and not so frequent a destination for tourists. Golden sands and clear turquoise water are enhanced by the peace and quiet that this beach offers. The calmer seas around this wild beach are the perfect locations for snorkeling and sometimes for surfing.
Maarten's northeastern shore is a well-known stretch of soft white sand offering watersports, relaxation, snorkeling, and pristine waters for wading and swimming. This beach is famed as the St. Tropez of the Caribbean and among the largest on the island.
Baie RougeThe beach offers wonderful views of Anguilla in the distance as well as the cliffs that protect the beach on the west. Baie Rouge Beach in St Martin is perfect for swimming snorkelling and also bird watching. There are two beach bars located on Baie Rouge.
Simpson Bay – Once famous for the families who made their living from fishing, Simpson Bay is a long sandy beach just south of the airport on the west end. The sand is soft and the waves are generally calm. This beach is never crowded and offers a wonderful spot to watch the sunsets.
If your ship is docked, you'll be able to simply walk off the vessel directly onto dry land via a movable ramp called a gangway. If it's anchored, you'll have to take a tender -- a small boat that ferries passengers ashore in groups.
Phillipsburg is a very walkable town; you have Front street and Back street. Plus there is a nice beach right there. If this is a port stop on your cruise you can take a taxi to town or you can just walk it.
Many people prefer Dutch Sint Maarten since it is more developed. This indicates that the amenities and services are more plentiful on this side of the island. However, those who choose a more relaxed setting stay at French Saint Martin. In addition, it has a more “Caribbean vibe”.
For our visitors, the main difference will be felt by the more widely available bustling nightlife, casinos, shopping and activities available on Dutch side St Maarten, whereas slightly larger French side St Martin offers a larger array of nature areas to explore.
Galion BeachIt is the favorite family beach of Saint-Martin families because its water is calm and shallow. Remember to take masks and snorkels to enjoy the beautiful seabed.
If you want to talk about worst area, then we can talk about Sandy Ground and Agrement (both in Marigot). Best Area : The French Low lands, Orient Bay residencial Park and Oyster Pond..
Rent a Car at Arrival - Avoid Transfer by TaxiWhile rental cars are a true bargain on St.Maarten, taxis are not. Just one round trip to Philipsburg from the Maho/Airport region by taxi could easily cost you the equivalent of renting a car for several days!
Although there is a bus service on the island, this is quite slow and irregular, meaning that driving is the best way to explore. To avoid high costs and dependence on taxis, most people are advised to rent a car on Sint Maarten.