ENTop activities in Philipsburg
Top Philipsburg landmarks
Top Philipsburg landmarks tickets
Top Philipsburg categories
Explore Philipsburg and beyond
Nearby Philipsburg tours
People also visited
Trip Inspiration
Close
Explore Philipsburg
Philipsburg Tours
Art & Culture
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Art & Culture Classes
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Art & Culture Classes
Art Classes
Arts & Design
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Arts & Design
Art Tours
Museums
Culture
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Culture
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Museums
Music Tours
Photography Tours
Pop Culture
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Pop Culture
Street Art Tour
Shows & Performances
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Shows & Performances
Nightlife
Classes & Workshops
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Art & Culture Classes
Close
Back to main
Classes & Workshops
All Art & Culture Classes
Art Classes
Food & Drink
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Dining Experiences
Close
Back to main
Food & Drink
All Dining Experiences
Lunch Cruises
Food Tours
Close
Back to main
Food & Drink
All Food Tours
Culinary Tour
Street Food Tours
Wine Tastings
Wine, Beer & Spirits
Close
Back to main
Food & Drink
All Wine, Beer & Spirits
Beer & Brewery Tours
Wine Tastings
Wine Tours
Outdoor Activities
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Extreme Sports
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All Extreme Sports
4WD Tours
ATV Tours
Motor Sports
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All Motor Sports
4WD Tours
ATV Tours
Nature and Wildlife Tours
On the Ground
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All On the Ground
Hiking Tours
On the Water
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All On the Water
Catamaran Cruises
Gondola Cruises
Jet Ski Rentals
Lunch Cruises
Sightseeing Cruises
Snorkeling
Seasonal & Special Occasions
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Holidays
Close
Back to main
Seasonal & Special Occasions
All Holidays
Carnival
Spring Break
Weddings & Celebrations
Close
Back to main
Seasonal & Special Occasions
All Weddings & Celebrations
Romantic Tours
Tickets & Passes
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Amusement Parks
Close
Back to main
Tickets & Passes
All Amusement Parks
Theme Parks
Attractions & Museums
Close
Back to main
Tickets & Passes
All Attractions & Museums
Museum Tickets & Passes
Shows & Performances
Close
Back to main
Tickets & Passes
All Shows & Performances
Nightlife
Sporting Events
Close
Back to main
Tickets & Passes
All Sporting Events
Motor Sports
Close
Back to main
Sporting Events
All Motor Sports
4WD Tours
ATV Tours
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Cruises & Sailing
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Cruises & Sailing
Catamaran Cruises
Day Cruises
Gondola Cruises
Lunch Cruises
Ports of Call Tours
Shore Excursions
Sightseeing Cruises
How to Get Around
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All How to Get Around
Bus Tours
Car Tours
Classic Car Tours
Rentals
Self-guided Tours
Walking Tours
Water Tours
Private and Luxury
Sightseeing Tours
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Sightseeing Tours
Adventure Tours
City Tours
Hop on Hop Off Buses
Private Sightseeing Tours
Sightseeing Cruises
Skip the line Tickets
Tours by Duration
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Tours by Duration
Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Half-day Tours
Overnight Tours
Travel & Transportation Services
Close
Back to main
Philipsburg Tours
Services
Close
Back to main
Travel & Transportation Services
All Services
Shopping Tours
Transfers
Close
Back to main
Travel & Transportation Services
All Transfers
Airport & Hotel Transfers
Port Transfers
Transportation
Close
Back to main
Travel & Transportation Services
All Transportation
Bus Services
Private Drivers
Transportation Rentals
Transportation Services
Attractions
Close
Back to main
Recommendations
Nearby
Fort Amsterdam
Built by the Dutch in 1631, Fort Amsterdam was the original colonial fort built and an important vantage point in the dispute over the island by the Dutch, French, and British. Located on a peninsula on the western side of Great Bay, the fort is now decommissioned, but ruins and 19th century cannons remain. It’s also a sanctuary for nesting pelicans.
Little Bay Road, Philipsburg, St Maarten
The Basics
To get an up-close look at St. Maarten’s colonial history, head to the peninsula to see the ruins of the fort as well as a smattering of colonial artifacts: look for the skeleton of a Spanish soldier and canons. Travelers may explore Fort Amsterdam independently or as part of tour, such as a bike tour that might stop at other historic highlights including Philipsburg Courthouse and St. Maarten's oldest inn.
Things to Know Before You Go
Anyone interested in St. Maarten history will appreciate Fort Amsterdam.
Entry into the fort is free.
Tours may include roundtrip hotel transfers, and use of equipment, and water. Check tours for specific details.
Don’t go anywhere in St. Maarten without sun protection and swimwear; Divi Little Bay Beach is nearby.
How to Get There
Fom Philipsburg, drive west through town onto Little Bay Road, following the street through Divi Little Bay Beach Resort until it dead-ends on the peninsula. Form the cruise ship dock, expect a 10-minute drive; from Philipsburg, it’s about five minutes away.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The fort welcomes visitors year-round. Those looking for the lowest hotel prices should visit St. Martin/St. Maarten in spring or fall when rain is less likely. Summer is warmest, but the weather is pleasant year-round. Visit from February to June and you may see humpback whales.
Brown Pelicans Nests
Walk to the very end of the peninsula to an area designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Here, a regionally significant colony of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) nest along the slope just below the fort. The community currently has about 60 pairs of birds.