Fort Amsterdam and Little Bay from the St. Maarten cruise port

Attraction10 minutes by taxi1.5-2 hoursFits a typical call

The 1631 Dutch fort is a small ruin with rusting cannons and harbour views, over a bird area with a brown pelican colony. Little Bay Beach is next door.

Getting there from the ship

From
Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility
Travel time
10 minutes by taxi · 4.5 km
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. St. Maarten taxi fares.
Cost
Taxi $10 from the port (1-2 people); entry to the ruins not confirmed.
Time to allow
1.5-2 hours

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm St. Maarten call you have up to 6 h 50 min at Fort Amsterdam, enough for a visit (allow 1.5-2 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:30 am · At Fort Amsterdam
    10 minutes by taxi from Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility.
  3. 3
    3:20 pm · Leave Fort Amsterdam by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for St. Maarten; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Fort Amsterdam is described as decaying and modest; pair it with a swim rather than making it the whole outing.

St. Maarten cruise port: Fort Amsterdam FAQ

How far is Fort Amsterdam from the St. Maarten cruise port?

From Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility it is 10 minutes by taxi, about 4.5 km.

How much does it cost to visit Fort Amsterdam?

Taxi $10 from the port (1-2 people); entry to the ruins not confirmed.

How much time do you need at Fort Amsterdam?

Allow 1.5-2 hours. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm St. Maarten call you have up to 6 h 50 min at Fort Amsterdam, enough for a visit (allow 1.5-2 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Fort Amsterdam on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is 10 minutes by taxi from Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility. Fort Amsterdam is described as decaying and modest; pair it with a swim rather than making it the whole outing.

Sightseeing tours in St. Maarten

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Fort Amsterdam

All 12 places
  • Great Bay Beach · Beach · 5-10 minutes by taxi from the pier · 1.8 km from Fort Amsterdam
  • Front Street · Town & walking · 5-10 minutes by taxi from the pier · 1.8 km from Fort Amsterdam
  • Catamaran sail · Snorkeling · 5-10 minutes by taxi from the pier · 1.8 km from Fort Amsterdam
  • America's Cup 12-metre race · Attraction · 5-10 minutes by taxi from the pier · 1.8 km from Fort Amsterdam