Berths in Sint Maarten
Marinas around Simpson Bay Lagoon take yachts up to 97 m. Bridge times and clearance rules apply to every yacht entering the lagoon.
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Marinas in Sint Maarten
Sizes come from the marina websites, Dockwalk and the Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association directory. Where sources differ, both figures are shown.
| Marina | Berths | Maximum length | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht Club Isle de Sol (IGY), Airport Road, Simpson Bay | 40 megayacht berths | 97 m (320 ft). Maximum beam 15 m, draught 5.5 m. The trade association lists 300 ft. | +1 721 544 2408. VHF 78A and 16. |
| Simpson Bay Marina (IGY) | 122 slips, including 20 megayacht berths. The trade association lists 126 slips. | 57.5 m (190 ft). Maximum beam 10.4 m, draught 4 m. The trade association lists 250 ft. | +1 721 544 2309. VHF 16 and 79A. |
| Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, 155 Union Road, Cole Bay | 90 slips (trade association) | 80 m. Maximum beam 15 m, draught 4.25 m. The trade association lists 260 ft. | +1 721 544 4565, office@pdpmarina.com. VHF 16 and 67. |
| Palapa Marina, Airport Road 28, Simpson Bay | 22 stern-to moorings (trade association) | 250 ft (trade association) | +1 721 545 2735, office@palapamarina.com. VHF 68. |
| Lagoon Marina, Cole Bay | 70 slips (trade association) | 250 ft (trade association) | Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association directory |
| Dock Maarten, Philipsburg | 120 slips (trade association) | 250 ft (trade association) | Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association directory |
| Marina Fort Louis, Marigot (French side) | 150 slips. Access without a bridge. | 260 ft. Draught 12 ft. | Office open Monday to Friday 8:00 to 18:00, Saturday 8:00 to 17:00, Sunday and holidays 8:00 to 12:00. Hours change from mid-June to mid-November. |
Sources: marina websites, Dockwalk and the trade association directory. Skyport, near the airport, is listed with a maximum length of 225 ft.
Bridge opening times
Yachts enter Simpson Bay Lagoon through the Simpson Bay Bridge. The Causeway Swing Bridge opens on its own schedule. Contact the bridges on VHF 12. Port St. Maarten lists these times.
| Bridge | Opening times | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simpson Bay Bridge, outbound | 8:30, 10:30 and 16:00 | Closed clearance is about 8.5 ft and changes with the tide. |
| Simpson Bay Bridge, inbound | 9:30, 11:30, 14:00 and 17:00 | Older sources list an inbound opening at 15:00. A trial in December 2024 moved it to 14:00. |
| Causeway Swing Bridge | 8:00, 10:00 and 16:30 | Some older sources list 15:30. |
| Sandy Ground Bridge (French side) | Sources differ: 8:30 and 17:00, or 9:00 and 17:00 Monday to Saturday | Width 10 m, depth 3.5 m. VHF 16. Passage is free and departing boats have priority. |
IGY states that special openings are possible with 24 hours notice. The speed limit in the channels and the lagoon is 5 mph. Anchoring in the fairway is not allowed.
Clearance and lagoon rules
Clearance fees
Clear in at Simpson Bay or Great Bay in Philipsburg, and clear out before departure. Fees by gross tonnage are USD 5 up to 99 GT, USD 10 for 100 to 499 GT, and USD 20 over 500 GT. Yachts at anchor pay an extra fee. Yachts entering the lagoon also clear with the Lagoon Authority collection office. Bridge fees are paid when clearing out of the lagoon.
Clearance online or in person
Clear online at demarche.numerique.gouv.fr, at Marina Fort Louis, at digital terminals at chandleries, or at the Port Authority at the Marigot ferry terminal. Fees are about EUR 5 to 15. Clearance is valid for up to 3 months. Port Authority hours are 9:00 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 16:00.
Bridge sizes
Simpson Bay Bridge is 17.0 m wide with 2.4 m closed height. IGY lists 16.75 m width. The Causeway Swing Bridge is 23.0 m wide with 6.2 m closed height. Depth at both is 6.0 m. Shoaling may affect vessels drawing about 6 ft. Local agents said in July 2026 that no cruising permit is required on either side.
Sources. Checked 7 November 2026.
- Port St. Maarten, Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority
- Daily Herald, new opening times for bridges, December 2024
- Daily Herald, extra Simpson Bay Bridge openings during the Heineken Regatta, March 2026
- Daily Herald, Brian Deher on the shoulder season, January 2026
- Daily Herald, new immigration rules, February 2017
- Daily Herald, SMMTA on new immigration rules, March 2017
- Yachting St. Maarten, clearance and regulations
- Yachting St. Maarten, Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association directory
- IGY, Yacht Club Isle de Sol
- IGY, Simpson Bay Marina
- Superyacht Services Guide, St Maarten
- Superyacht Services Guide, bridge opening times
- Superyacht Services Guide, MegaYard
- Superyacht Services Guide, FKG Marine
- Superyacht Services Guide, BWA Yachting
- Dockwalk, Yacht Club at Port de Plaisance
- Dockwalk, visa implications of Caribbean dockwalking, 2009
- Marina Fort Louis
- Palapa Marina, crew placement
- Palapa Marina, contact
- St Maarten Heineken Regatta
- Budget Marine, St. Maarten
- Meteo Curaçao, Princess Juliana Airport climate summary
- US National Hurricane Center, climatology
- World Bank, reviving the Simpson Bay Lagoon
- Wikipedia, Simpson Bay Lagoon
- SuperyachtNews, IMM opening a St Maarten base, 2016
- OpenStreetMap Nominatim, coordinates
- UKSA salary guide 2025
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