Philipsburg is the most highly populated area in St. Maarten and is the top place on the island where tourists come to shop, eat and enjoy the beautiful beaches. St. Maarten is an island that is divided between two governments. Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten and is governed by The Netherlands. Philipsburg was founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy. Philipsburg is 5.6 miles (9.1 km) away from Princess Juliana International Airport and 0.8 miles (1.2 km) away from the Port of St. Maarten.
The town of Philipsburg has a vibrant and happy culture and is full of locals and tourists soaking in the beautiful views, taking advantage of all the nearby activities, and generally just having a good time. The main street of Philipsburg is called Front Street and it’s a place where most of the important and popular shops are located on the island. All the things that tourists can buy at Front Street are duty-free. In fact, St. Maarten is a duty-free island, which means that the things are sold without an added tax fee, which makes shopping in St. Maarten cheaper than in most other countries.
Philipsburg has two main beaches, Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach. Both beaches have spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the port of St. Maarten. Along with the beautiful sunsets, tourists who visit Philipsburg are sure to see many cruise ships docking near the port. The town of Philipsburg is sure to leave anyone who visits with a smile on their face whenever they think about their trip to St. Martin.
Where is Philipsburg located?
The town of Philipsburg is located between Great Bay Beach and the Great Salt Pond, on a narrow stretch of land. Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten. The coordinates of Philipsburg are 18.0296° N, 63.0471° W.
Which country governs Philipsburg?
Philipsburg is governed by The Netherlands. This is because Philipsburg is located on the southern end of the island of St. Maarten, which is Dutch owned.
What does the St. Maarten Philipsburg map cover?
The map of Philipsburg below shows the location of the town of Philipsburg which is located on the southern coast of Sint Maarten. Philipsburg is located on the Dutch side of the island of Sint Maarten. The map below also depicts nearby locations to Philipsburg such as Pond Island, Great Salt Pond, Front Street, Great Bay Beach, Little Bay and SXM Catamaran Charters.
What are the ways to go to Philipsburg?
There are a few ways to reach the town of Philipsburg. The ways to go to Philipsburg are listed below.
- By driving a car: Most travelers choose to rent a car during their stay in Saint Martin. This is a good option if you are planning to stay in St. Maarten for an extended time and would like to explore more parts of the island independently, including the town of Philipsburg. Renting a car would not be very practical if you are traveling to St. Maarten via cruise ship.
- Several car rental companies are available for tourists at both Princess Juliana International Airport in Dutch Sint Maarten and at Grand Case Airport in French Saint Martin. These rental car companies usually charge around $30 (€25) per day. The ride to Philipsburg should take about 1 hour at most from any point on the island of St. Martin depending on traffic.
- By taxi: Tourists also can take a taxi from the Princess Juliana International Airport or every other place on the island to Philipsburg for $4 to $45 (€3.5 to €40) depending on the distance and timing of the trip.
- By walking: Tourists who are coming from the cruise port of St. Maarten can walk 0.8 miles (1.2 km) until they reach the town of Philipsburg.
- By bus: The bus is the cheapest form of transportation on the island with the cost of a one-way ticket ranging from $1 to $3 (€0.86 to €2.50) per person. This is a method of transportation that many tourists rely on during their stay in St. Maarten. The buses in Saint Martin have frequent routes that stop at major cities on the island such as Philipsburg. Each bus has an identifying marker that states the driver’s route which is usually a sign in the front window that indicates the starting and ending point of the route.
Is Philipsburg close to Princess Juliana International Airport?
Yes, Philipsburg is close to Princess Juliana International Airport. Philipsburg is located 6.9 miles (11.1 km) away from Princess Juliana International Airport.
What are the weather conditions in Philipsburg?
The weather in Philipsburg is usually warm and sunny with average daily temperatures ranging from 25°C to 28°C (78°F to 82°F). The climatic characteristics of Sint Maarten are sunny days and warm temperatures throughout the year, except for September and October due to the hurricane season. In the table below you can see the average daily temperature, average rainfall and average sunshine per month in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
| Month | Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainfall | Average Daily Sunshine Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77.9°F (25.5°C) | 2.60 inches (66.0 mm) | 73.5% |
| February | 77.7°F (25.4°C) | 2.00 inches (50.7 mm) | 72.7% |
| March | 78.3°F (25.7°C) | 1.78 inches (45.2 mm) | 72.2% |
| April | 79.7°F (26.5°C) | 2.52 inches (64.0 mm) | 70.6% |
| May | 81.3°F (27.4°C) | 3.67 inches (93.3 mm) | 62.4% |
| June | 82.8°F (28.2°C) | 2.43 inches (61.8 mm) | 62.0% |
| July | 82.9°F (28.3°C) | 2.82 inches (71.6 mm) | 63.2% |
| August | 83.5°F (28.6°C) | 3.89 inches (98.8 mm) | 67.7% |
| September | 83.3°F (28.5°C) | 5.50 inches (139.6 mm) | 62.8% |
| October | 82.8°F (28.2°C) | 4.45 inches (113.0 mm) | 67.0% |
| November | 81.1°F (27.3°C) | 5.88 inches (149.3 mm) | 68.3% |
| December | 79°F (26.1°C) | 3.69 inches (93.8mm) | 71.4% |
Did Hurricane Irma affect Philipsburg?
Yes, Hurricane Irma had a great effect on the town of Phillipsburg. Hurricane Irma was a category 5 hurricane that affected a few Caribbean islands in the year 2017. The town of Philipsburg and the entire island of St. Maarten were severely affected by Hurricane Irma. In fact, all the businesses in Phillipsburg suffered strong damage from the catastrophic winds of Hurricane Irma.
Many of the hotels, restaurants, and beaches in Philipsburg were badly damaged by Hurricane Irma. Many of the businesses in Philipsburg have since made a full recovery from the Hurricane and are operating efficiently today.
Hurricane Irma affected Philipsburg on September 6th, 2017. There were other hurricanes that struck St. Maarten such as Hurricane Luis in 1995 which destroyed some properties in Philipsburg. There was also Hurricane Jose in 2017, which caused a lot of damage at the Great Bay Beach Resort in Philipsburg.
What are some of the facts about Philipsburg?
There are many different things tourists should know about Philipsburg before visiting the island of St. Maarten. There are many different fun facts about St. Maarten that including the city of Philipsburg. Some interesting facts about Philipsburg are listed below.
- Philipsburg was founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy.
- Philipsburg is the Dutch capital of Sint Maarten.
- Phillipsburg is the main tourist destination on the entire island of St. Maarten.
- The cruise ships dock at the port of St. Maarten which is located in Philipsburg.
- Philipsburg is located between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond.
- The most popular beaches in Philipsburg are Great Bay Beach and Little Bay Beach.
- Philipsburg is known for its plethora of duty-free shopping opportunities. Front Street is the principal duty-free shopping street in St. Maarten and is located in Philipsburg.
What is the size of Philipsburg?
The size of Philipsburg is approximately 6561.68 feet (2,000 m) from one side to the other. Philipsburg is larger than Grand Case and smaller than Cole Bay, which are both cities in St. Maarten.
What is the population of Philipsburg?
The last census conducted in 2017 showed that Philipsburg has a population of 1,894. The population of St. Maarten is estimated to be around 77,000 people on both the French and Dutch sides of the island.
What are the popular destinations of Philipsburg?
The popular destinations in Philipsburg are listed below.
- Front Street
- Great Bay Beach
- The St. Maarten Zoo
- Fort Amsterdam
- The Boardwalk
- Little Bay Beach
- The Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store
Which beaches are in Philipsburg?
There are two beaches in Philipsburg, Great Bay Beach, and Little Bay Beach. Great Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in St. Martin. Great Bay Beach extends nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) along Philipsburg and has bars, restaurants, hotels, and casinos. Little Bay Beach has a calm and turquoise sea that allows tourists to relax and enjoy the stunning views. Great Bay Beach is located just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Front Street, the duty-free shopping area. Tourists who are taking a cruise love spending the day in Philipsburg when stopping at St. Maarten.
Other beaches near Philipsburg are listed below.
- Indigo Bay
- Guana Bay
- Maho Beach
- Simpson Bay Beach
- Dawn Beach
What are the historical buildings to be seen in Philipsburg?
History is everywhere to be seen on the island of St. Maarten. Tourists who are looking to find out about the history of St. Maarten have a vast array of historical buildings to see while in Philipsburg. Some historical buildings that tourists can see when visiting Philipsburg are listed below.
- Fort Amsterdam
- Fort Willem
- Phillipsburg Courthouse
- Saint Martin of Tours Church
Are there any museums in Philipsburg?
There are a few museums located in Philipsburg. Some of the museums in the town of Philipsburg are considered the best museums in Sint Maarten and are a must-see for those visiting the island. The museums that are in Philipsburg are listed below.
- St. Maarten Museum is a museum about the island’s heritage.
- Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit is a museum about the special effects that were used by the designer Nick Maley who helped create the Star Wars movies.