Philipsburg Cruise Port (St. Maarten)
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten · Caribbean
Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier — Cruise Pier A, Philipsburg.
Big Caribbean cruise port with Philipsburg's Front Street a short water-taxi ride away.
At a glance
Port summary
Most ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier on Great Bay's eastern edge. Philipsburg is 1.5 km west — a 20-minute boardwalk walk or a $7 round-trip water taxi. Maho Beach, Marigot and Orient Bay all need a regular taxi or rental car.
Cruise docks
🚢 A.C. Wathey Pier — Cruise Pier A
The main cruise berth at the A.C. Wathey complex on Great Bay's eastern edge, equipped to handle the largest cruise ships. The Wathey terminal building with shops and water-taxi kiosk is right alongside.
📍 Latitude: 18.0225, Longitude: -63.0468
See dock on port map →🚢 A.C. Wathey Pier — Cruise Pier B
The adjacent cruise berth at the same complex, used when more than one ship is in port. Same terminal facilities as Pier A; passengers walk through the same souvenir village.
📍 Latitude: 18.022, Longitude: -63.0475
See dock on port map →Getting to Philipsburg
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
The 20-minute walk along the Great Bay boardwalk is flat and well-marked into Philipsburg.
📍 Walk out of the cruise terminal onto the Great Bay boardwalk.
St. Maarten taxis use government-set zone fares — confirm the rate with the driver before the ride.
📍 Official taxi rank just outside the cruise terminal exit.
Round-trip water-taxi tickets are $7 — boats run every 15-20 minutes between the cruise pier and Philipsburg.
📍 Water-taxi ticket booth inside the cruise terminal complex.
Privately-run minivans run set routes between Philipsburg, Marigot and Maho — flag them down and pay in cash.
📍 Minivan stop on the road just outside the cruise terminal gate.
Useful for full-island days reaching Marigot, Orient Bay and the French side; not needed if you're staying in Philipsburg.
📍 Rental car desks in the cruise terminal area; some companies meet you at the pier.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
USD is accepted everywhere on St. Maarten alongside the Guilder and cards work in most places. Carry small USD bills for buses and roadside stalls.
Things to do
Court House
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Bright pink-and-white wooden Court House from 1793 — the postcard centerpiece of Philipsburg.
🕐 Anytime during daylight; Wednesday market sets up nearby.
Fort Louis
Short stop⭐ Highlight
1789 French fort above Marigot with sweeping views over the harbor and Anguilla on a clear day.
🕐 Late afternoon for the best light over Marigot Bay.
Philipsburg Boardwalk
Short stop🚶 Walk
Paved boardwalk along Great Bay with bars and restaurants and views back to the cruise pier.
🕐 Late afternoon for sunset over Great Bay.
Maho Beach
🏖️ Beach
World-famous beach where Boeing 747s and Airbuses land just metres above the sand.
🕐 Mid-morning to mid-afternoon — that's when most large jets land.
Great Bay Beach
🏖️ Beach
Wide curving beach right in front of Philipsburg with calm water and beach-bar loungers.
🕐 Morning before the sun gets harsh; afternoon for the trade winds.
Mullet Bay Beach
🏖️ Beach
Quieter sandy beach next to Maho with calm turquoise water and shaded loungers.
🕐 Morning to early afternoon for calm water and shade.
Orient Bay Beach
🏖️ Beach
Long crescent of white sand with beach bars, water sports and trade-wind breezes.
🕐 Morning to early afternoon; trade winds make snorkeling tricky in the afternoon.
Marigot Market
Short stop🛒 Market
French Caribbean market with crafts, spices and fresh produce on the Marigot waterfront.
🕐 Wednesday and Saturday mornings for the full market — other days it's smaller.
Loterie Farm
🎯 Activity
Wooded adventure park with ziplines, hiking trails and the Tree Lounge bar in the central hills.
🕐 Morning for the cooler hike up Pic Paradis; ziplines run all day.
Sunset Bar & Grill
Short stop🍹 Bar
Open-air beach bar at the end of the runway with a daily flight schedule and cold drinks.
🕐 Time your visit around inbound jet arrivals — schedule on the bar's chalkboard.
Sint Maarten Museum
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Small museum covering Sint Maarten's history from the salt-trade era to Hurricane Luis.
🕐 Weekday mornings; closed Sundays.
Front Street Shopping
Short stop🛍️ Shopping
Philipsburg's main shopping street with duty-free jewelry, watches and Caribbean souvenirs.
🕐 Anytime ships are in port; less crowded after 14:00 when day-trippers head back.
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Philipsburg?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Philipsburg?
- Yes. Philipsburg is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Philipsburg centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Ferry, Local bus, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Philipsburg?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Philipsburg independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Philipsburg and are cards accepted?
- Philipsburg uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Philipsburg cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.