St. Marteen Beach By Airport

[zippyjet]

Can't wait! In a few weeks I'll be on the Carnival Breeze leaving Miami September 12. One of the ports of call is St. Marteen. (not sure on spelling). I want to go to the beach where the planes fly right over you. The famous beach where you can get the jet blast by their airport. How far from the port? Any cost to get on that beach? What kind of transportation is available? With the limited time would I have time to enjoy this beach and plane spot? :D

[xowendyxo]

We went there in March, it was one of the best stops.

 

There are plenty of taxis waiting to pick up passengers at the port. I think it was $8 pp and took a good 30 minutes to get there. Once on the beach, you can rent two chairs and an umbrella for $20!

[DeckSwabber]

Maho Beach is the name.. Any Taxi or tour will take you there. you'll have no problem, but make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship. there are a couple of areas that traffic is really bad in the afternoon going back

[trippingpara]

The afternoon is when the largest jets come in to land but like Deckswabber said to make sure you leave enough time to get back to the ship. We were just there at the end of May and loved it. Great photo and video opportunities!

[Budget Queen]

Princess Julianna Airport. I've flown in there, 4 times- even more thrilling, since you see the water close up for a distance. We go there, just to watch the planes. :) (then go home :) )

 

 

KLM comes in there with their 747, so take a look at what you may see, if it matters. Otherwise, there are a lot of small planes. Be aware, that ship time is NOT island time.

[gtaylor]

Can't wait! In a few weeks I'll be on the Carnival Breeze leaving Miami September 12. One of the ports of call is St. Marteen. (not sure on spelling). I want to go to the beach where the planes fly right over you. The famous beach where you can get the jet blast by their airport. How far from the port? Any cost to get on that beach? What kind of transportation is available? With the limited time would I have time to enjoy this beach and plane spot? :D

 

 

 

Dutch side, St. Maarten or Sint Maarten.

 

French side, St. Martin or Saint Martin.

 

Lucky You!!

 

You appear to be there on September 15, a Tuesday, and KLM has a 747-400 scheduled to arrive at 10:55, but head to the beach immediately, as I have missed it when it arrived like 40 minutes early.

 

(click)

 

You have one other ship in port with you, the Disney Fantasy, so I wouldn't expect traffic to be too much of a problem, and would allow about 40 minutes over to Maho by taxi directly from the Cruise Facility. I believe that these prices are still fairly accurate, but may have increased by a dollar or two.

 

 

It is possible to get there more cheaply by public bus, and I would encourage you to visit this thread in the St. Maarten discussion board.

 

I would leave 'early' as traffic really picks up in the afternoon, and has taken as long as two hours to get back to Philipsburg.

 

There is a bridge opening scheduled for 3:00, so I would head out before 2:30 or after 3:15, as there shouldn't be too many boats transiting your time of visit.

 

Personally, I would leave early and allow some time for shopping, etc. back in Philipsburg or at the Cruise Facility.

 

All beaches on the island are Public, but they all charge for chairs and umbrellas.

 

There are two beach bars at Maho. The well known Sunset Bar and Grill and Guy's Driftwood Boat Bar. We prefer Guy's as it has much lower booze prices. Only a Porta-Potty, though. Sunset has full facilities.

 

 

Regarding the Jet Blast, please see my very recent post here.

 

gary

 

p.s. We were really considering this exact voyage, but the Grand Turk visit kind of set us off. There was very little there of interest when we've visited previously.

Edited July 22, 2015 by gtaylor

[gtaylor]

Princess Julianna Airport. I've flown in there, 4 times- even more thrilling, since you see the water close up for a distance. We go there, just to watch the planes. :) (then go home :) )

 

 

KLM comes in there with their 747, so take a look at what you may see, if it matters. Otherwise, there are a lot of small planes. Be aware, that ship time is NOT island time.

 

For any cruise departing from San Juan, ship time and St. Maarten time should be the same year around, as they are both ATS.

 

If departing from Florida, any cruise during Daylight Saving Time will be the same time in Florida and St. Maarten (or San Juan).

 

Otherwise, St. Maarten is an hour ahead of Florida time, so unless the ship changes their time (some do) it will be an hour different. 8:00 ship's time is already 9:00 Island Time.

 

gary

[Jenhem31]

Can't wait! In a few weeks I'll be on the Carnival Breeze leaving Miami September 12. One of the ports of call is St. Marteen. (not sure on spelling). I want to go to the beach where the planes fly right over you. The famous beach where you can get the jet blast by their airport. How far from the port? Any cost to get on that beach? What kind of transportation is available? With the limited time would I have time to enjoy this beach and plane spot? :D

 

 

We are on this date too!

 

Last time we went to St. Maarten we rented a car and drove to Maho. It was awesome! Then we drove over to the French side of the island and found a bar on the beach and had lunch. It's a great port.

[zippyjet]

We are on this date too!

Last time we went to St. Maarten we rented a car and drove to Maho. It was awesome! Then we drove over to the French side of the island and found a bar on the beach and had lunch. It's a great port.

 

 

Look forward to meeting you. If you all want to go again I'll go in with you for the taxi/rental car etc. Just E-Mail me I guess by clicking my user name. If any trouble I'll try you.

[winniesbestm8]

Dutch side, St. Maarten or Sint Maarten.

 

French side, St. Martin or Saint Martin.

 

Lucky You!!

 

You appear to be there on September 15, a Tuesday, and KLM has a 747-400 scheduled to arrive at 10:55, but head to the beach immediately, as I have missed it when it arrived like 40 minutes early.

 

(click)

 

You have one other ship in port with you, the Disney Fantasy, so I wouldn't expect traffic to be too much of a problem, and would allow about 40 minutes over to Maho by taxi directly from the Cruise Facility. I believe that these prices are still fairly accurate, but may have increased by a dollar or two.

 

 

It is possible to get there more cheaply by public bus, and I would encourage you to visit this thread in the St. Maarten discussion board.

 

I would leave 'early' as traffic really picks up in the afternoon, and has taken as long as two hours to get back to Philipsburg.

 

There is a bridge opening scheduled for 3:00, so I would head out before 2:30 or after 3:15, as there shouldn't be too many boats transiting your time of visit.

 

Personally, I would leave early and allow some time for shopping, etc. back in Philipsburg or at the Cruise Facility.

 

All beaches on the island are Public, but they all charge for chairs and umbrellas.

 

There are two beach bars at Maho. The well known Sunset Bar and Grill and Guy's Driftwood Boat Bar. We prefer Guy's as it has much lower booze prices. Only a Porta-Potty, though. Sunset has full facilities.

 

 

Regarding the Jet Blast, please see my very recent post here.

 

gary

 

p.s. We were really considering this exact voyage, but the Grand Turk visit kind of set us off. There was very little there of interest when we've visited previously.

 

Can you point me in the direction to look for flights arriving? We are in St Maarten Tue 29th Dec. Thanks

[ham_bone]

was just there last week and had a GREAT time!

Spent a few hours and chilled. Theres bars, casinos and shops at each end of the beach.

Can bring your own snorkeling gear and theres a good spot to snorkel on the left side of the beach (looking to sea).

Taxi was $9pp each way & I strongly recommend only taking the authorized state taxi service and NOT using the "gypsies" that approach you to take you back to the ship. The official guys are in lot next to sunset bar and were very professional & clean.

The ride back was quick (15-20) because we were the only ship in port but they say to give an hour in case of delays.

[navybankerteacher]

Can you point me in the direction to look for flights arriving? We are in St Maarten Tue 29th Dec. Thanks

 

Go to SXMairport.com for arrivals information. The large planes do not come in every day from Paris or Amsterdam, but if yo scan it over a several day period about a week or so before your cruise, you will have an idea of what is coming in when.