Why this guide exists
One island, two very different halves to plan around
St. Maarten splits into Dutch Philipsburg and French Marigot, and most cruisers only make time for one side. Add in Maho Beach's famous low-flying planes, Front Street's duty-free shopping, and Orient Beach's beach clubs, and the choices multiply fast for a single port day.
The Smarty Ports Philipsburg guide is a self-guided plan comparing Maho Beach, Orient Beach, and Front Street shopping, with honest timing on whether the French side is realistic too. For current, specific pricing and booking links, the guide links you straight to the vetted recommendations on smartyports.com.