Docking in Philipsburg? How to get from the cruise port to Marina Royale in Marigot, which short jet ski tour fits your port day, and how to book it.
Is your ship stopping in St Maarten, and would you rather see the island from the water? Cruise ships dock in Philipsburg, on the Dutch side, at the Port St. Maarten cruise terminal. Jet Paradise is on the other side of the border, at Marina Royale in Marigot, on the French side. Here is how to fit a jet ski tour into your port day without rushing.
Can you go jet skiing in St Maarten on a cruise stop?
Yes. The border between the two sides of the island is open, with no checks: you cross from Sint Maarten to Saint-Martin like changing neighbourhoods. Message us on WhatsApp before booking, and we will fit the ride into your time ashore.
No licence needed: our guided tours run with or without a boat licence, with a guide from start to finish. You can ride from the age of 16, and each jet ski carries one or two people for the same price.
From the Philipsburg cruise port to Marina Royale
The port of Philipsburg says over 100 cabs wait at the terminal, alongside buses and water taxis. To get to Marigot, a taxi is the easiest option: ask for Marina Royale.
Two things to know about taxis on the island:
- On the Dutch side, most taxis charge fixed fares and have no meter. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau advises confirming the fare before you get in.
- On the French side, taxis have no meter either, but they follow an established price list, according to the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. You can usually pay in euros or dollars.
At Marina Royale, we welcome you every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
Which tour fits your time ashore?
Time in port is limited, so a short ride you fully enjoy beats a long one where you keep checking your watch. Our shortest options:
- The intro session, from 20 minutes to one hour, with or without a licence, with a guide. When you book, you pick a preferred departure time between 9 am and 5 pm. Everything is on the jet ski intro session page.
- The [Lagoon Trip](/en/jet-ski/lagoon-trip/), 45 minutes on the calm water of Simpson Bay Lagoon, sheltered from the open sea: the ideal first ride.
- The [747 Tour](/en/jet-ski/747-tour/), one hour out to Maho beach, at the end of the Princess Juliana airport runway, to watch the planes come in right above you. To know when they fly over, read our guide to the Maho Beach plane schedule.
- [Terres Basses](/en/jet-ski/terres-basses/), an hour and a half along the cliffs, villas and white sand beaches of the west coast.
The longer tours, the half day Samana Adventure, the Big Tour from 10 am to 4 pm or the full day to St Barts, only make sense if your port stop leaves plenty of time. If in doubt, ask us on WhatsApp before you book.
Getting ready before you leave the ship
- Message us on WhatsApp with the date of your stop and your hours ashore. We will tell you what fits into your day.
- Book online with a deposit per jet ski. The balance is paid on site, at the marina.
- Pick your day, morning or afternoon: we call you back by phone or on WhatsApp to set the exact departure time.
- Leave yourself a margin for the ride back to Philipsburg, ahead of the all aboard time set by your cruise line.
On the day, everything starts with a briefing at the marina: the guide walks you through the route, then you head out behind them. All you have to do is enjoy.
In short
On a port day in Philipsburg, a jet ski tour on the French side is easy to plan: a taxi to Marina Royale, a short ride such as the Lagoon Trip or the 747 Tour, and back to the ship with time to spare. Message us on WhatsApp to set the time, then book your jet ski tour.
