St. Maarten - Two Nations, One Island: Beaches & Shopping from Newark
St. Maarten/St. Martin, the Caribbean's only island shared by two nations, welcomes Essex County cruisers with a unique blend of Dutch efficiency and French sophistication on just 37 square miles. You...
St. Maarten/St. Martin, the Caribbean's only island shared by two nations, welcomes Essex County cruisers with a unique blend of Dutch efficiency and French sophistication on just 37 square miles. Your cruise docks on the Dutch side in Philipsburg, where duty-free shopping rivals St. Thomas, then you're minutes from the legendary Maho Beach where jets land 50 feet overhead, pristine Orient Bay on the French side, and dozens of beach bars serving everything from Dutch pancakes to French champagne. Web-verified 2025 pricing shows taxis to Maho Beach $20-25 from cruise port, Orient Bay $30-45, and combined beach tours $40-50 per person. No passport control between Dutch and French sides - drive freely between nations experiencing two distinct cultures, currencies (US dollar Dutch side, Euro French side), and culinary traditions on one small island. Smart New Jersey cruisers take $3 public shuttles to Maho Beach instead of $75+ cruise excursions, explore walkable Philipsburg shopping independently, and venture to French-side Marigot for authentic croissants and duty-free perfume. Ready to experience two countries in one Caribbean day? Call Next Trip Anywhere at 833-874-1019 to book your St. Maarten adventure.
Destination Highlights
Travel Information from Newark
- Flight Time:
- 35-40min Essex County to Cape Liberty port | 4hr 15min EWR to SXM seasonal nonstop
- Time Zone:
- See travel details
- Best Time to Visit:
- St. Maarten offers year-round cruising with peak winter season providing optimal weather and guaranteed port calls. Summer/fall months offer value pricing but come with hurricane season risks including potential itinerary changes.
- Average Temperature:
- Perfect weather 78-85°F with minimal rainfall and calm seas.
- Currency:
- US Dollar / Euro
- Airlines from Newark:
- JetBlue, United
Top Attractions
- Maho Beach & Airport Plane Watching
- Orient Bay Beach (French Side)
- Philipsburg Front Street Shopping
- Marigot Market & French Side Capital
- Loterie Farm Rainforest Adventure
Insider Tips for Essex County Travelers
- 1.Passport REQUIRED for St. Maarten cruises - island split between Dutch and French territories, considered international even on closed-loop cruises. Apply 3-4 months before departure.
- 2.Cruise port in Philipsburg (Dutch side) within 10-minute walk of downtown shopping - no shore excursion needed for Front Street duty-free stores, boardwalk, beach access.
- 3.Book Cape Liberty cruises visiting St. Maarten November-April for guaranteed port call - summer/fall hurricane season occasionally forces itinerary changes.
- 4.Princess Juliana Airport famous for low approaches over Maho Beach - if flying in, sit on right side of plane for incredible landing views over turquoise water.
- 5.US dollar accepted Dutch side, Euro preferred French side but USD works at tourist spots - bring small bills as change often given in whichever currency merchant has available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport for St. Maarten cruise from Cape Liberty?
YES - passport required. St. Maarten split between Dutch and French territories, considered international destination even on closed-loop cruises. Some cruise lines allow passport card or enhanced driver's license, but full passport book strongly recommended for flexibility and emergency air return.
Can I visit both Dutch and French sides in one day?
Absolutely! Island only 37 square miles, no border checkpoints between sides. Typical port day: morning Philipsburg shopping (Dutch), taxi to Maho Beach (Dutch, 15 min), then Orient Bay or Marigot (French, additional 15-20 min). Taxi drivers happy to create custom tours covering both sides. Private taxi for 4 hours costs $160-200 total (split among passengers) - hits all highlights.
Is Maho Beach worth visiting just for plane watching, or should I go to Orient Bay instead?
Different experiences: Maho = unique plane photos and spectacle (30-60 minutes sufficient), rough surf, very crowded, limited beach quality. Orient Bay = beautiful 2-mile beach, water sports, beach clubs, better swimming, less crowded. Ideal plan: Maho Beach quick stop for plane photos (arrive 30 min before posted flight), then Orient Bay for actual beach time. Combined tour $40-50 per person covers both.
Which side has better duty-free shopping - Dutch or French?
Dutch side (Philipsburg Front Street) better for watches, jewelry, electronics, liquor - more selection, competitive prices, convenient from cruise port. French side (Marigot Marina Royale) better for French perfumes, luxury brands (Chanel, Hermès, Dior), upscale boutiques - authentic French goods at duty-free prices. For one-stop shopping, stick with Philipsburg. For French luxury, worth taxi to Marigot.
Should I book St. Maarten shore excursions or explore independently?
Explore independently and save 50-70%! Philipsburg walkable from cruise terminal (free shopping). Take $3 shuttle or $20-25 taxi to Maho Beach. Hire private taxi for custom 4-hour island tour ($160-200 for up to 4 people = $40-50 each) vs $75-95 per person cruise excursion. Only book cruise excursions if wanting specialized activities (sailing, zipline) requiring advance reservation.
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