Virgin Voyages' guide to Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Conveniently located between the Great Bay Beach and the Great Salt Pond, Philipsburg is the ideal place for beach bums, shopaholics, foodies, and outdoor adventure enthusiasts alike.
Four streets of stunning sights & limitless vibes
Consisting of a mere four streets each less than a mile long, Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten may be small, but its vibes are anything but. Take in the sweeping panoramic views from the top of Sentry Hill before making your way back down via the world’s steepest zipline.
Philipsburg may be a small island community, but its seemingly endless white sand beaches, unique access points to wide varieties of adventures and unparalleled paradisiacal views are simply limitless.
Shore Excursions
A Bit of Everything in Philipsburg
Mountain ziplines, off-road excursions & ultimate indulgences.
Sky Explorer & Sentry Hill Zip Line Adventure
Adventure-seekers will rejoice on this experience of a lifetime. Take an air-conditioned ride to Rockland Estate where you’ll explore the museum before embarking on the Sky Explorer, an approximate 25-minute chairlift ride to 360 degree views of St. Maarten and its surrounding islands. From there you’ll have a brief orientation before taking the world’s steepest zip line back down the mountain to enjoy the snacks and beverages sold at Emilio’s Restaurant, located conveniently at the estate.
ATV Tour to Maho Beach
Spend your day exploring St. Maarten and experiencing outdoor adventure simultaneously on this ATV tour along the various scenic roadways. From the convenience and safety of your guided convoy tour you’ll see various landmarks along the way to the world-renowned Maho Beach where you’ll be greeted with a non-alcoholic welcome drink to watch the planes land & lounge on the beach. After spending a few hours on the white sand you’ll head back to the ship through the oldest town on the island.
A Taste Of Culture
Sailors will arrive at Emilio’s where they’ll be greeted by Chef Sydney, who will guide them through traditional Caribbean cuisine and cooking. Sailors will cut their own herbs, select and handpick their veggies while learning about them from a local farmer. Then guests can watch the chef cook from stadium-style seating – or up close & personal while assisting! Next, you’ll enjoy your meal in a quaint, rustic wine cellar before being sent home with locally prepared goodies!
More Shore Things for your wishlist...
We have even more in our curated catalog.
Make sure you have extra space in your luggage!
Philipsburg’s Front Street is a hub for duty-free shopping.
Shore Excursions
Jeep Excursion & Beach Break
See both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten from the comfort of a Jeep with your private group, with an audio guide over the radio.
DISCOVER MORE SHORE THINGSThe Dutch capital of the island of St. Maarten may, on paper, simply be four-streets, each less than a mile long, but the incredible architecture, vibrant houses, eclectic shops, sought-after restaurants, and endless picturesque views at every turn make it one of the most exciting “small towns' in the world. Conveniently located between the Great Bay Beach and the Great Salt Pond, Philipsburg is the ideal place for beach bums, shopaholics, foodies, and outdoor adventure enthusiasts alike. Spend your time here enjoying the fare at world-renowned eateries, hiking nearby trails to take in the jaw-dropping views, or easily commuting to nearby islands for whatever your wanderlust is seeking.
Set Sail the Virgin Way
Set sail the Virgin way and find a new approach to cruise vacations. Select this can't-miss itinerary and let's sail.
