What to do in St Maarten on a Cruise: One Day Itinerary

This guide to what to do in St Maarten on a cruise will break down the best things to do on the island, travel tips for your visit, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

I absolutely love the Caribbean. I grew up going on Caribbean cruises and have the best memories of playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying quality family time.

As an adult, I’ve gone on a couple more Caribbean cruises, most recently to the Southern Caribbean with my boyfriend. The final stop on our itinerary was the beautiful island of St Maarten.

While the most famous thing to do on the island is airplane (Maho) beach, there are many better ways to spend your day in port. Keep reading for a simple and fun one day St Maarten itinerary.

Contents hide

What to do in St Maarten

1. Beach day at Friar’s Bay

2. Snorkeling & Catamaran Tour

3. Orient Beach

4. Maho Beach

Frequently Asked Questions about St Maarten

Where to Stay in St Maarten

Summary of What to do in St Maarten on a Cruise

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What to do in St Maarten

There are many great things to do in St Maarten. Like most Caribbean islands, your day will be well spent at the beach or in the water.

With only one day in St Maarten as a cruise port, I recommend selecting an activity based on what you plan to do at other ports.

Haven’t snorkeled yet? This is your chance. Craving a beach day? There are some beautiful options. Either way, your day in St Maarten is guaranteed to be great.

1. Beach day at Friar’s Bay

During my recent day in St Maarten, we spent the day at Friar’s Bay beach. This beach is a great option when deciding what to do with your day.

Its located on the French side of the island (St Martin) and has a heavy French influence. The biggest beach club is very high-end with fantastic French-inspired food and cocktails.

This beach is a bit of a drive from the cruise port (around 40 minutes). However, the drive is a great way to see the island and will allow you to escape the crowds of other cruisers.

2. Snorkeling & Catamaran Tour

This catamaran tour is a great all-inclusive option for your day. It includes an open bar, snorkeling, a local BBQ lunch, a sail along the coast, and a beach break.

It’s the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. One of the best parts of this tour is that you will have a packed agenda without having to do any planning yourself.

3. Orient Beach

Another great beach option in St Maarten is Orient Beach. I’ve heard great things about the beach including fun beach bars, and beautiful scenery.

This beach is a great alternative to Friar’s if you want to avoid the long drive from the port.

4. Maho Beach

One of the most popular things to do in St Maarten is visit Maho Beach, which is located directly next to the international airport.

From this beach, you can see and feel jet planes land on the adjacent runway. If you are an aviation geek or simply want to see what the hype is all about, this may be a great activity for you.

I personally choose to avoid it because I prefer smaller crowds and a more peaceful beach experience. If you want to visit Maho beach, this tour includes transportation to and from the cruise port, and refreshments at the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions about St Maarten

Before we get into what to do in St Maarten on a cruise, here’s a glance at some frequently asked questions about the island.

What is the difference between St Maarten and St Martin?

The island is broken up into a Dutch side (St Maarten) and a French side (St Martin). You can pass freely between both sides without a passport, but they each have different government. For much of this guide, I will refer to it as St Maarten because that is where the cruise port is.

When is the best time to visit St Maarten?

St Maarten is a great travel destination year-round, apart from hurricane season from June through October.

How to get to St Maarten?

There are many non-stop flights on major airlines from the East Coast United States and Europe to the Princess Juliana international airport.

How to get a taxi from the St Maarten cruise port?

When you disembark your cruise in St Maarten, simply follow the signs to the official taxi stand where you will be paired with a driver. You can attempt to negotiate, but prices appeared to be fixed.

What is the official currency of St Maarten?

The official currency of St Maarten is the US dollar.

What is the official language?

The official languages of St Maarten are English, Dutch, and French.

Where to Stay in St Maarten

Yes, this article is about what to do in St Maarten on a cruise. If you stumbled across this post anyway, these tips and things to do definitely apply. Instead of having to choose one activity, you’ll have time to do it all.

If you are staying a few nights in St Maarten, or longer, here are my two favorite resorts on the island. One is great for families and the other is perfect for a romantic getaway.

La Sammana St Maarten – La Sammana is a stunning resort in St Maarten. The rooms range from ocean view hotel rooms to two-bedroom ocean front suites. The highlight of this resort is the beautiful sandy beach with a private beach bar. The resort also has an 18 hole golf course, 3 restaurants, and 2 pools.

Sonesta Ocean Point All Inclusive – If you are visiting St Maarten without kids, the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point is a great option. The hotel is modern, luxurious, and has great outdoor amenities. They also have rooms with balconies that open to the pool area.

Summary of What to do in St Maarten on a Cruise

Whether you spend your time in St Maarten snorkeling in the ocean or lounging on the beach, I can guarantee you will have a great day.

If you can stay longer than a day, be sure to explore beyond your resort to see what the island has to offer.

What to do in St Maarten on a Cruise: One Day Itinerary