Philipsburg Beach on St Marten is within walking distance to the cruise ship port. You can get 2 umbrellas with 4 beers or soft drinks for $15. I agree with the review below that is more of a place to hang out or party. We spent the afternoon hanging out and watching the activity in the bay.
"Great Bay (Philipsburg) - You should go to Philipsburg for the shopping, casinos, and restaurants, but there is a beach and there are beach bars with plenty of facilities. After St Maarten dredged the harbor for the new cruise ship pier and terminal, much of the sand was used to replenish the beach. Thus, it is one of the longest and widest beaches on the island. Now that they have added a boardwalk and are even expanding it, it is more of a great place to hang out and party than an idyllic tropical beach, but if that is what you want" source (
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