Great Bay Beach
Great Bay Beach
4.5
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Best nearby
Restaurants
232 within 3 miles
Attractions
70 within 6 miles
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- Stanley YAnnandale, Virginia242 contributionsCruise ship stopThis was our 5th time on a cruise stop to Philipsburg. Take the water taxi, $8 all day, to the beach from the pier. Walking off the pier just look for the signs. Beach is great. Any number of people trying to rent you chairs. Some include a bucket of beer or umbrella. Don't take the first offer. We look for a spot on the beach first and find the best deal for us. All kind of shops and restaurants in walking distance.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 26, 2023
- Bub1958Stillwater, New York81 contributionsExcellent BeachIf you're on a cruise ship and just want to relax at a nearby beach, Great Bay Beach is beautiful and close to the port. For $7 roundtrip (they give you a bracelet at the kiosk) you get a boat taxi, and they go back and forth regularly. Once you're off the boat you'll be hit with a mob of beach chair sellers, but I'd advise to just keep walking to whatever part of the beach you want and negotiate there. We paid $45 (US Dollars) which included 2 chairs, umbrella and 6 drinks of choice (beer, soda etc.) in an ice bucket. The beach is pristine and sandy and the water is calm and the slope gentle. Plenty of food options and they'll deliver to you if you want. WiFi was included but it's horrible. If the locals selling stuff get too bothersome just tell them you brought no money with you and they'll leave you alone. I could spend a few days at this beach!Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 19, 2024
- David SMiddlesbrough, United Kingdom2,381 contributionsLOVED ITNot too far from the cruise port, my wife and I spent a relaxing 3 or 4 hours chilling on this wonderful Caribbean beach. $15 all day sunbeds with free high strength WiFi wasn't unreasonable. Enjoyable break in ideal surroundings.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 21, 2024
- xkmlanders7 contributionsGreat day at Great Bay BeachI opted not to take any excursions from the cruise ship, but head off on my own. So glad I did. I took the water taxi ($7 round trip) to Great Bay Beach. They offer water ($1), beer $3 and sodas for the 10-minute ride to the beach. Upon disembarking, I found a young man offering beach chairs and umbrellas ($15 for 1; $25 for 2). Includes wifi. And $5 for a rum punch. Great way to start!. He brought a menu later and I ordered the delicious Caribbean Ribs and a beer. Heavenly! The establishment is SXM Crazy Beach Bar. They take credit cards for orders over $20. Not big waves, but beautiful crystal water, soft white sand. We were the only cruise ship that day, so it was not crowded. I'm so glad I did this!Visited May 2024Traveled soloWritten May 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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AnLil
929 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
The beach is certainly grand in Sint Maarten, and within steps from the port (unlike Cayman). Since 1648, Philipsburg has been a site of ‘settlement’ or port of call for travellers as well as slave ships past (see Lizzy Wade for Science 9 Mar 2015). It is generally not as interesting as the nightlife around Maho and Mullet Bay, a characteristic feature of the Dutch side, long after the U.S. military built the Princess Juliana airstrip by 1947 and development ensued in the 1960-70s. Marigot in French SXM was vibrant, by then, with Palm Sunday parades that gave way to the Carnival in 1970. The French side shows more signs of wear (being hit hard by the 2017 hurricane) compared to Philipsburg. You’ll still see some damage even along the boardwalk of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg. A playground is still delightful for toddlers across from shops beside Holland House Hotel, where cruise passengers can purchase the Beach Special ($25 toilets, beach chair and shower with wifi). It’s not easy elsewhere to find washrooms for public use, except at restaurants by the beach. At the far end #27 is Dutch Blond’s pancakes and escape rooms; just look for the windmill. Beforehand, you’ll see two small duty free stores on both sides of historically central St Martin of Tours church on the boardwalk. That’s where Europeans “set up shop” and schooling for local children over a century ago. Now, it’s a silent part of the busy beach leading to the cruise ship terminal, where tour operators await with open-air trucks to carry passengers to activities (USD cash accepted). Directly a few blocks inland from the duty free store, past the courthouse, the yellow and blue RBC bank building with automated teller machine is always open to tourists in need of cash for excursions / tipping. The beach strip has enough to offer during the day, though, and stores galore towards Achter Straat…an enduring shopping destination!
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda2005book
Derby, UK404 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
From the cruise terminal you can walk or catch a water taxi, water taxi much more fun for $7 return each. Boat staff friendly and funny and play loud music and expect to be tipped! The beach is a long sandy stretch and was amazing. We were accosted straightaway by a man working for Amanda marked beach Loungers and umbrellas for $25 we were of course ripped off here as we found out that others even for same company were charging less so shop around or haggle. Town centre at the back street to rear of beach. Your towels reserve the loungers for the day
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pete V
Waco, TX18 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Minutes away from cruise port via 10 min water taxi for $7 round trip per person. Clean beach make sure you only pay $20 for two chairs with free WiFi and 5 drinks. It’s all the same price no matter which section you choose
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mandaF
3 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Took a water taxi from cruise port area $7 per person round trip. It’s like a 3 min ride. I think you can also walk around to the beach instead of the water taxi. Once we got the the beach there are people there trying to rent you lounge chairs. We paid $50 for 2 I believe. Didn’t feel too crowded and it was a great beach for kids to play and swim. The water is calm, no waves. Shops and food along the boardwalk. The only problem was the ladies that would walk up and down the beach selling stuffed animals, massages , and hair braiding. They prob stop and ask about every 5 mins so it does get annoying. Some of the ladies started harassing a guy because he said no to a massage for his wife. They called him cheap and and wouldn’t leave him alone. We did end up getting some of our kids hair braided by two different people. The Second Lady kept saying how awful my daughters hair looked and that it wasn’t professional. I finally had to ask her to stop because my daughter was about to cry. They don’t tell you how much the braids cost till the end and this lady wanted $65 for some braids she put in my sons hair but my daughters cost $25. The residents rely heavily on tourists so I feel like the majority are super friendly and accommodating.
Written February 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmegwr
Madison, CT26 contributions
Jan 2023
We took a water taxi to this beach. water warm and lovely, beach clean.
Normally I would have gone to a beach without a lot of stores and restaurants, and without a view of the cruise ship, but the weather was threatening.
We spent a very pleasant 2 1/2 hours on the beach--2 chairs and an umbrella $20, before it began to rain and we hustled back to ship on the water taxi
Normally I would have gone to a beach without a lot of stores and restaurants, and without a view of the cruise ship, but the weather was threatening.
We spent a very pleasant 2 1/2 hours on the beach--2 chairs and an umbrella $20, before it began to rain and we hustled back to ship on the water taxi
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizzyLiz
Italy521 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
From the cruise terminal you reach the seafront after a short 10-minute walk. In practice, when you exit the terminal in front of you you will find the roundabout with the large writing "St Marteen", go past it and keep left. Keep straight and you'll get there.
To access it you cross a very nice shopping area and past that you have arrived. In one of the first beach establishments you will find Marlon welcoming you and offering you an umbrella, sunbeds and a bucket of beers with ice at really affordable prices!
In the water, not far from the shore, there were lots of small fish, needle fish and I was also able to see a black pelican, the symbol of the island, up close.
If you get tired of the beach you can walk both along the seafront and in the internal streets and I recommend you go shopping because you will find cheaper prices than on the other islands.
To access it you cross a very nice shopping area and past that you have arrived. In one of the first beach establishments you will find Marlon welcoming you and offering you an umbrella, sunbeds and a bucket of beers with ice at really affordable prices!
In the water, not far from the shore, there were lots of small fish, needle fish and I was also able to see a black pelican, the symbol of the island, up close.
If you get tired of the beach you can walk both along the seafront and in the internal streets and I recommend you go shopping because you will find cheaper prices than on the other islands.
Written February 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TaraC2013
Ottawa, Canada31 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Great beach. Quite packed though…Close by the cruise port, just a quick $7 water taxi over to here.
Water taxi runs every 15 mins. Locals will come by and continuously try to sell you items or massages.
Most restaurants on the beach provided 2 chairs and an umbrella for $30. $15 buckets of beer.
Water was beautiful!
Water taxi runs every 15 mins. Locals will come by and continuously try to sell you items or massages.
Most restaurants on the beach provided 2 chairs and an umbrella for $30. $15 buckets of beer.
Water was beautiful!
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lee a
Sheffield, UK723 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
After we got off our cruise ship we went on an organised half day tour around the island seeing the many sights before ending up in Simpson bay where all the big luxury yachts are kept as we had a short sail around then back to our cruise port. As it was still early we went to this nearby beautiful beach in the water taxi which was only a short distance away . We found a nice beach bar cafe where we paid a small fee for loungers and umbrella . We then had a snack and an ice bucket of 6 Carib beers for €20. The sand & sea was lovely giving us a nice relaxing afternoon before heading back to our ship.
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nerasea
Mankato, MN36 contributions
Apr 2022
Walk along the beach on the boardwalk to find shops, food and drink or grab a chair and umbrella (usually for a fee) and take a dip in the bay. It's a nice swimming beach with gentle surf, but there are also jet ski rentals and a pier you can sit on to enjoy the view of cruise ships and sailboats. We didn't find anywhere to snorkel that had anything to see. Very pretty mountains around the bay and it's great to watch the ships come and go.
Written April 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMsays
Thornhill, Canada4,909 contributions
Apr 2022
Fine sandy beach alongside a boardwalk. Peaceful and serene. The water is warm with a pleasant surf. Beach chairs, umbrellas and jet-skis are available for a fee. Didn’t swim, but its safe, I was told. Great views of the cruise ships and the marina at one end and at the other end are great views of the mountains. Worth it even if you take just a dip....
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do the taxis going from the St. Maarten cruise port to great bay beach dock at a pier or beach?
Written March 1, 2023
Water taxis dock at the pier which is right on the beach - not in the very central part, but 3 min walk from it.
Have in mind last taxis back to cruise port depart around 5.30-6 PM, so if your ship departs late in the evening there's no point spending 7$ pp.
You have 3$ pp (one way) mini vans outside the cruise port to the beach.
If you walk it's a 15-20 min walk cruise port-beach or vv.
You have detailed explanations in my Maho Beach review.
Written March 1, 2023
What part of the beach is the best to spend few hrs, coming via cruise plan to walk or take taxi.
Written March 3, 2020
There are a number of bars that offer drinks and lounge chairs at the beach. There is a boat that brings people over and drops them at the dock. Very convenient.
Written March 3, 2020
Is this beach wheelchair friendly? Our Cousin is a very active- independent young man that is in a wheelchair- I think it's going to be fine, but wanted to check?
Written December 18, 2019
is phillipsbirgh beach where the great bay hotel was before the hurricane. i want to be near shopping and a casino not far by taxi . what beach do i stay on .
Written October 24, 2019
Not sure about the Great Bay Hotel, but we recently stayed at Holland House Hotel and it was smack in the middle of everything....... shopping, beach, casinos.
Written October 27, 2019
Can you rent jet skis on Great Bay Beach, and if so, any recommendations ? Thanks
Written February 18, 2019
There were some fellows, just a little ways west of the pier, as we sat near them. They will probably flag you down, when they see you come near. I can't fully remember how much it was for 30 mins, but maybe just under $60.00, if I can recall, as I found the price alot.
Written February 19, 2019
Como es la mejor manera de ir de Philipsburg a Mano beach y después a Marigot?
alguien puede ayudarme??
Written October 18, 2018
Hello, Which place did you rent the chairs and umbrellas for $25 with the free drinks. We head on the Seaside Saturday with the same itinerary.
Written June 6, 2018
no idea which beach place we rented from but there is a lot of competition and don't be bashful about negotiating a better price.
Written June 6, 2018
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