PHILIPSBURG, SINT MAARTEN

Philipsburg is the capital of Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the Caribbean Island. This side of the island is known for its casinos, clubs, duty-free shopping, wide range of food options, and abundance of beaches and rum.

Eager to hit the beaches? Well, there are 37 of them! For convenience, head to Great Bay Beach, which is right downtown. Dawn Beach is great for snorkeling, and Mullet Bay is ideal for swimming and windsurfing. The most famous beach is Maho Beach. It is located at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport (SMX), and being under planes jetting off is an iconic Philipsburg experience.

If you’re looking for history and culture, start at the Sint Maarten Museum to learn about local history. Then tour through the two forts, Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem, for a walk through history. And don’t miss the courthouse, which was built in 1793 and served as the home for the town’s founder, Captain John Philips.

Shopaholics should beeline to Front Street. This is the hub of shopping, dining, and gambling in Philipsburg. If it’s crowded, head over one block to Back Street for a more relaxed shopping experience.

Looking for something unique to do? Head to St Maarten Zoo, the largest zoo in the Caribbean. It’s home to hundreds of animals, and there’s even a great playground for kids!

PORT FAST FACTS

DOCKED OR TENDERED?

Docked.
TERMINAL BUILDING OR PIER?

Multiple piers that lead down into a cruise welcome square.
WIFI AVAILABLE?

There is a shop that offers WIFI connection for a fee.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS ASHORE?

Yes, in the welcome square.
TOURIST INFORMATION?

Yes, in the welcome square.
MAPS AVAILABLE?

There was at the tourist information center on most recent visit.
TAXIs / PUBLIC TRANSPORT?

Taxis are available after passing through the welcome square. There is also a water taxi service available for $7 round trip into Philipsburg on most recent visit.
ATMs / MONEY EXCHANGE?

There is an ATM right next to the Tourist Information center.

The Best Caribbean Cruise Ports for Diving!

If you are an avid diver, and are looking for ports within a Caribbean cruise to explore what happens below the surface in this region, look no further!

In this video, we highlight 10 of the most popular cruise ports in the region to go diving in. There are many more than just these 10, but getting a few of them in your itinerary will get you off to a good start!