St Maarten port

[xsnowman99]

what is the port the WindSurf departs from in St. Maarten? (I am assuming it is the French side since that is where the hotel is they recommend for the land/sea combination)

[ships08]

Hi xsnowmann99,

 

It is Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Dutch side).

[jpver]

Distances are very short on St Martin. Marigot (FR) - Phillipsburg (NL) is approx. 10km.

The airport is at Phillipsburg both for FR and NL.

Personnaly Marigot is nicer. Phillipsburg is more a mini Las Vegas with casinos. It is years I haven't been there, but suspect the latter is not better meanwhile!

[ducklite]

Agreed, Marigot is lovely and I feel it's also safer. Not that I felt in inherent danger in Phillipsburg, but it was defintiely a bit seedier. I agree that Las Vegas is a good descriptor.

[Redtravel]

I have vacationed on St. Martin for more than 20 years. Marigot used to be chic with lots of very upscale boutiques and branches of French stores. The recession has hit them hard. There are very few nice stores left. Each year more and more stores are closed. I used to look forward to buying things in Marigot. Last trip I bought nothing. It's that bad. There are a few good places to eat. However, I wouldn't be surprised if these places suffer also. The best places left are near the Marina. Rue de l'Republique is terrible. For shopping visit Phillipsburg. They still have a great variety of stores...jewelry selection is very good...prices have risen with gold prices. St. Martin still has gorgeous beaches.