St. Maarten/St. Martin is often referred to as the "gastronomic capital of the Caribbean," so cruisers are in for a treat. The half French, half Dutch-owned island has heavy influences from both culture, but also offers a number of cuisines from across the globe. Visitors will find a number of casual cafes and laid-back island bars that serve a combination of Caribbean specialties, American classics, and European cuisine. Most cruise ship passengers arriving to the island will dock in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island. This massive port accommodates numerous mega-ships at the same time, and downtown Phillipsburg is an easy walk with loads of shopping opportunities and dining options to choose from. A handful of vessels opt to dock in Marigot, a quieter side of the island that is owned by the French with several outstanding restaurants that are ideal for a casual breakfast or an elegant and romantic evening out. have sorted through the restaurants, cafes, and beach bars on the island and have put together this list of 10 favorites for cruise ship passengers.
While most are located near the port in Phillispburg, there are also a couple options in Marigot for passengers arriving on that side of the island. Photo courtesy of Chesterfield's Offering incredible views of Great Bay, especially at sunset, this nautical-themed restaurant serves tasty fare all day long. Their breakfast menu is a favorite with locals, and lunch brings on burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and a selection of... Serving breakfast buffet, a la carte lunch, and two or three-course dinner, the Ocean Lounge at the Holland Hotel has the perfect options for any dining experience. With romantic views overlooking Great Bay Beach, this award-winning restaurant... Photo courtesy of Lazy Lizard Beach Bar and Grill This casual place gets rave reviews for its great vibes, atmosphere, and American-Caribbean fare. This hot spot lunch destination caters to tourists with beach chair rentals, hot sauces for purchase, and rums for sale. Photo courtesy of Au Petit Cafe
Au Petit Cafe in the heart of Old Street (a secluded street of the bustling Front Street) near Beatrix's Belgian Chocolate Shop and is ideal for lights snacks, smoothies, fresh juices or coffee. Baguettes, salads, pizza, Paninis, omelets, cheese... Photo courtesy of Gusto This contemporary restaurant recently opened on the beach boardwalk and is already becoming a hit among visitors and locals alike. An winning combination of tapas-style appetizers, fresh smoothies, granitas (shaved ice with syrup), Italian... This colorful, Caribbean restaurant and bar on the boardwalk in Phillipsburg is most definitely a tourist trap (with gratuity included): but a good one! The casual ambiance makes for excellent people watching or a nice break after enjoying the... Photo courtesy of Freedom Fighters Ital Shack For a true taste of the Rastafarian culture on the island, the Ital Shack serves organic homegrown vegetarian food with plenty of herbs and spices and fresh local juices such as tamarind, oats and lime, ice tea, passion fruit, beets, pineapple,...
Photo courtesy of Burger Madness Located on the boardwalk with excellent views and beach chairs for great people watching, Burger Madness serves up some of the best burgers – anywhere. The owners are extremely outgoing and friendly and the burgers - which include more than 15... Photo courtesy of La Croissanterie This cafe is another excellent choice for cruisers coming into port in Marigot, on the French side of Saint Maarten/Saint Martin. Breakfast will start your day off right with flaky croissants, fresh squeezed juices, hot coffee and chocolate,... After having trained in Quebec City, Chef Mario Tardif came to St. Martin and opened Mario's Bistro in 1995. The restaurant is still a favorite among travelers, and has informal yet elegant decor and fabulous European fusion cuisine. Make your trip one to remember with the wide range of fun vacation activities at or near Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Lounge on our beautiful, white sand beach, explore underwater worlds during a dive trip, or experience everything this unique island has to offer.
St. Maarten is the Dutch half of the Caribbean island of St. Martin; the other side belongs to the French. The island offers plenty of things to do on each side, letting you experience two unique cultures all in one trip. As the hub of the Caribbean, it’s easy and affordable to get to the surrounding islands for a fun day trip, which also feature a vibrant European flavor. Let Us Plan Your Vacation There are so many ways to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of St. Maarten. Our Activities and Tours Desk provides guests with all the information you need to plan your next adventure. As one of the Caribbean’s leading sailing ports, St. Maarten is well-known among sailing and boating lovers. Each year, the island hosts the Heineken Regatta and offers sailors a wide choice of fully equipped marinas. From deep-sea fishers to sailing vessels, St. Maarten welcomes boats of all sizes. Voted as the “Number One Shore Excursion in the Caribbean” for 10 years, the 12-Metre Challenge is an exhilarating opportunity to race multi-million dollar America’s Cup race boats through warm, blue waters.
Pick a boat and become part of the crew as the experts show you the ropes (no previous sailing experience is necessary). Once you’ve learned the responsibilities of your “crew members” position, it’s off to the racecourse where the brisk Caribbean trade winds will guide your sailboat along as you grind a winch, trim a sail, punch a stopwatch, or just relax while enjoying complimentary refreshments. After completing the race, enjoy fabulous drinks and company during the free Victory Rum Punch Party or browse through the museum souvenir boutique. Water Sports on St. Maarten Visit our beachside water sports center to rent a wide range of water sports equipment. Easy beach access means you don’t have to waste any time before diving into the crystal clear water. Relax on the spectacular beach or explore the waters of St. Maarten by renting: Beach Chairs & Umbrellas Scuba Diving in St. Maarten Explore the beautiful underwater reefs at St. Maarten. Visibility generally ranges from 75’-125’.
The island reefs are filled with brightly colored, tropical fish and are located close to shore. The most popular diving spots are located off Little Bay Beach, Dawn Beach, and Maho Bay. In Great Bay, divers can explore the wreck of the British man-of-war, HMS Proselyte, which sank on the reef in 1801. The boat lies on her side, just 50’ below the surface of the water. Today, the site is encrusted with reef and known as one of the top dive sites on St. Maarten. Our water sports center also offers several dives throughout the day. Double tank dives are available most mornings with departures at 9:30 a.m. Please note that check-in is at 8:45 a.m. Another popular water sport at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is kayaking. Rent a kayak from the water sports center and explore the gorgeous waters of our bays. Guests may also travel to the French side of the island, St. Martin, to kayak between the main island and Pinel Island, a small atoll where many island visitors go to sunbathe during the day.