See Fort
Fort Amsterdam
Near Philipsburg, about 0.9 miles from the pier
The Dutch built the fort in 1631 on the peninsula between Great Bay and Little Bay. Spain took it after a short siege in 1633.
About Fort Amsterdam (opens a new tab)
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Great Bay · Sint Maarten
Philipsburg
The Dutch-side capital of St. Maarten, on the calm water of Great Bay.
Front Street's shops and Great Bay Beach are a walk from the pier. Across the island, watch jets on final approach at Maho Beach or stroll the French capital, Marigot.
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Four Ways to Spend a Day in Philipsburg
Unwind Beach
Great Bay Beach
Philipsburg, about 0.7 miles from the pier
The town beach runs two miles along Philipsburg, with calm water, beach chairs and food a few steps away. USA TODAY 10Best readers voted it a top Caribbean beach in 2025.
About Great Bay Beach (opens a new tab)
Taste Liqueur
Guavaberry Emporium
Philipsburg
The Tourist Bureau sends visitors to the Emporium to learn about guavaberry, the island's national liqueur. The company also runs a shop at the cruise port on ship days.
Visit Guavaberry (opens a new tab)
Explore French Side
Marigot
French side, about 4.6 miles from the pier
Walk Rue de la République's 19th-century houses, then climb the steps to Fort Louis for the view over town and marina. The market opens Wednesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Explore Marigot (opens a new tab)Skip the excursion desk
Tours & Tickets in St. Maarten
Getting Around Philipsburg
Both piers are at one cruise facility, so the way into town is the same from either.
Getting to Philipsburg
If you do one thing here
Watch the Jets Land at Maho Beach
Maho Beach sits beside the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Plane watchers come to see jets on final approach, and beach bars are close by.
It is about 5.3 miles from the pier in a straight line. The fixed taxi fare from the cruise port is $25 for one or two people, $9 each for three to five, or $8 each for six or more.
Maho Beach Listing (opens a new tab)Official Taxi Fares (opens a new tab)
Safety and Weather
Canada's travel advice for Sint Maarten is to take normal security precautions.
- CrimeWe found no official crime rate to compare with a national average. Canada's advice mentions pickpocketing and theft from rental cars and boats.
- Walking to townYes. The port says 15 minutes on foot, and Front Street is about 0.8 miles from the cruise facility.
- The beachCanada says most beaches have no lifeguards or warning flags and that riptides are common.
- WeatherAverage highs run from 83°F in January to 89°F in August. December to May is the dry season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and peaks from August to October.
Crime and beaches: Government of Canada travel advice (updated May 26, 2026). Weather: Meteo Curaçao summary for Princess Juliana Airport, 1971 to 2000 normals, converted from Celsius; seasons from the Meteorological Department St. Maarten.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises From Philipsburg
MSC, Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O and Celebrity call most often, and a few cruises start here.
Philipsburg FAQ
Where is the Philipsburg cruise terminal?
Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility on Great Bay, about 0.8 miles from Front Street. It has two piers.
Which pier does my ship use in Philipsburg?
Port St. Maarten's schedule lists the pier for each call. Both piers are at the same facility, so the way into town is the same.
Where can I see the Philipsburg cruise port schedule?
Port St. Maarten publishes a public table of cruise calls by date, ship and pier, for 2023 to 2029.
Can you walk from the cruise port to Philipsburg?
Yes. The port says 15 minutes on foot. Front Street is about 0.8 miles from the cruise facility.
How much is a taxi from the cruise port to Philipsburg?
$10 for one or two people, $4 each for three to five, or $3 each for six or more. Fares are fixed, with 25% added from 10 PM to 6 AM and on public holidays.
How far is Maho Beach from the Philipsburg cruise port?
About 5.3 miles in a straight line. The fixed taxi fare is $25 for one or two people.
What are the best beaches near the Philipsburg cruise port?
Great Bay Beach, the town beach, starts about 0.7 miles from the pier and has calm water. USA TODAY 10Best readers voted it a top Caribbean beach in 2025.
Is there a water taxi in Philipsburg?
Yes. Water taxis link the cruise port with Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty and Bobby's Marina on the Philipsburg waterfront.
How far is the airport from the Philipsburg cruise port?
Princess Juliana International Airport is about 5 miles from the pier in a straight line. The fixed taxi fare is $25 for one or two people.
What is there to do near the Philipsburg cruise port?
Walk to Front Street and Great Bay Beach, about 0.7 to 0.8 miles away, or to Fort Amsterdam, about 0.9 miles. Guavaberry has a shop at the cruise port on ship days.
How far is Marigot from the Philipsburg cruise port?
About 4.6 miles in a straight line, on the French side. French-side taxi fares are set in euros on an official scale.
Is Philipsburg safe for cruise passengers?
Canada advises normal security precautions for Sint Maarten and mentions pickpocketing and theft from rental cars. We found no official crime rate to compare.
Photos: Philipsburg: Trish Hartmann (CC BY 2.0) · Fort Amsterdam: Ymnes (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Great Bay Beach: Dr. Thomas Liptak (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Guavaberry Emporium: Richie Diesterheft (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Marigot: Balou46 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Maho Beach: RCraig09 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cruise ship in port: Balou46 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped for display.