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.

Philipsburg Cruise Port (St. Maarten)

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten · Caribbean

Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier — Cruise Pier A, Philipsburg.

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DIY 9/10

Big Caribbean cruise port with Philipsburg's Front Street a short water-taxi ride away.

🚢 Docked port1.5 km / 0.9 mi to city centre

⚠️St. Maarten roads can grind to a halt around shore-excursion times — leave plenty of buffer for the return drive.

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At a glance

Multiple terminalsWalk-off possibleFamily friendlyMobility friendlyFree WiFi at portTourist info at dockSouvenir shops at dockIndependent tours at dockWheelchair accessible at dockMin. 3h neededAllow 60 min return buffer

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: 18.012746, Longitude: -63.045333

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: 18.013679, Longitude: -63.046464

See dock on port map →

Getting to Philipsburg

From the cruise terminal to the city centre

🚶 On footRecommended

⏱ 20 min💶 Free

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.

🚕 TaxiRecommended

⏱ 5 min💶 $5-25

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.

⛴️ FerryRecommended

⏱ 5 min💶 $7 round-trip

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.

🚌 Local bus

⏱ 30 min💶 $1-2

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.

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Map & things to do

Money & payments

💱 Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ƒ)💵 Cash needed: rarely🏧 ATMs at port💳 Cards widely accepted

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.

⏱ 15 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 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.

⏱ 45 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 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.

⏱ 60 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Late afternoon for sunset over Great Bay.

Maho Beach

🏖️ Beach

World-famous beach where Boeing 747s and Airbuses land just metres above the sand.

⏱ 120 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Mid-morning to mid-afternoon — that's when most large jets land.

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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.

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