Philipsburg / PORT GUIDE 05
A day in St. Maarten.
Philipsburg makes a satisfying one-area day: Great Bay, a waterfront boardwalk and town browsing without an ambitious island circuit.
Plan my St. Maarten day ↗Last reviewed: · Content updated:
GET YOUR BEARINGS
From ship to shore.
Where you arrive
Port St. Maarten connects visitors with Philipsburg. The port describes water taxi stops along the waterfront, including Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty and Bobby’s Marina.
Getting around
Choose your walking or water-taxi connection locally and confirm the return service. The planner reserves time for the connection and queues; it does not use a live timetable.
Make time for
Great Bay combines beach access with nearby dining and beach-chair options. Prices and services vary by operator, so confirm them before settling in.
WORTH STEPPING ASHORE FOR
Pick a stop. Make it your day.
Compare walks, taxi rides and verified bus options. Add up to three stops in the order you want to visit.
BEACH
Great Bay & Philipsburg boardwalk
Combine a town stroll with time beside the beach.
60–120 minutes to visit
Mostly level approach, road crossings and sun; beach access involves sand. Chairs and refreshments are extra.
From Port St. Maarten: walk 20–30 minutes one way. Editorial estimate.
Add to my port daySources checked 2026-10-07
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau: Great BayPort St. Maarten: cruise connectionsCULTURE
Marigot waterfront
A waterfront town stop on the French side for browsing and a café.
60–90 minutes to visit
Town-level visit; climbing to Fort Louis is a separate, steeper outing. Cross-island traffic can extend both transfers.
From Port St. Maarten: taxi 40–65 minutes one way. Editorial estimate.
Add to my port daySources checked 2026-10-07 · Content updated 2026-09-12
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau: MarigotSt. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association: bus routesBEACH
Maho Beach
A short stop near the airport for the beach and aircraft views.
45–75 minutes to visit
Sand, crowds and a busy roadside. Keep clear of the runway fence and jet blast. Bridge openings and traffic can make the return much slower.
From Port St. Maarten: taxi 45–75 minutes one way. Editorial estimate.
Add to my port daySources checked 2026-10-07
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau: MahoSt. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association: bus routesTHREE WAYS TO SPEND THE DAY
Find your pace.
Great Bay, no big agenda
Great Bay Beach · Boardwalk lunch
Walk or water taxi · Sample outing
See if it fits my day ↗Philipsburg in a few hours
Philipsburg browse · Waterfront lunch
Walk or water taxi · Sample outing
See if it fits my day ↗Town, coast & a longer stroll
Philipsburg walking time · Great Bay break · Lunch
Walk or water taxi · Sample outing
See if it fits my day ↗A BITE ASHORE
Somewhere to eat.
A short list of places worth considering near the sights. Budgets are per adult and exclude transport, alcohol and any additional tax or service charge. Where a current price could not be verified, the amount is a PortBow planning estimate—not a restaurant quote. Check opening hours and prices before you go.
Food information checked October 7, 2026. Content updated September 23, 2026. Suggestions do not add a restaurant stop to your plan; its refreshment allowance remains US$20 per adult.
Casual Caribbean lunch
Lazy Lizard
Island-style dishes in a small beachfront restaurant on the Philipsburg boardwalk.
Where: Philipsburg Boardwalk, behind Front Street, beside Great Bay.
Allow US$20–35 per adult for lunch (PortBow estimate; confirm the currency on the menu).
Ask about the day’s menu, opening hours and any beach-chair charges separately.
Sources · checked 2026-10-07
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Confirm current access, hours and services before your visit. Travel times and budgets in the planner are separate editorial estimates.