Philipsburg Cruise Port Guide

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.

What's inside

Everything you need for one great port day

A self-guided plan timed to your ship's schedule, so a beach day never risks a late return
An honest comparison of Maho Beach, Orient Beach, and Front Street shopping
Whether visiting the French side is realistic on a single port day
What to know before planning around the Maho Beach plane-spotting crowds
Money-saving alternatives to the cruise line's shore excursions
A direct link to current, vetted booking recommendations on smartyports.com, updated independently of the book

Never guess your way through port day again

A Philipsburg guide is part of the future Smarty Ports roadmap, but current development is focused on Cozumel. No release date has been announced for this port.

See the Cozumel Guide in Progress This port is part of the future roadmap; no release date has been announced.