St. Maarten shore excursions

Pier 2, Harbour Point Village and Bobby's Marina

Ships tie up at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility in Philipsburg. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau puts the original pier at 545 m and Pier 2, opened in 2009 by the Harbour Group of Companies, at 445 m. Pier 2 can take two ships of more than 220,000 gross tons at once, and its two passenger screening booths speed people ashore. Cruise Critic reports that on busy days some passengers tender instead to Little Pier in central Philipsburg.

Passengers come ashore through Harbour Point Village, built in the style of Philipsburg's old architecture, with duty-free shops, market stalls, bars and an information center. Most tour, bus and cab pickups start there, and about 100 taxis wait at the terminal. Port St. Maarten puts the walk into Philipsburg at 15 minutes. Water taxis stop at Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty and Bobby's Marina; the tourist bureau lists a $6 one-day pass with unlimited rides, while Cruise Hive reported $7 in September 2026.

Taxi fares are set by the government, zone to zone, and quoted in US dollars. From the cruise port, one or two passengers pay $25 in total to Maho Beach, Mullet Bay or the airport, and $20 to Simpson Bay. Groups of three to five pay per person instead, for example $9 each to Maho Beach. Sail the Phoenix and Eagle Tours both board at Bobby's Marina, which Eagle Tours puts about 15 minutes' walk from the ship. Rhino Safari Excursions is at 58 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay.