Best Anchorages in St. Martin / Sint Maarten
The smallest dual-nation island in the world — 87 km² shared between France and the Netherlands since 1648. One island, two jurisdictions, the largest inland lagoon in the Caribbean, the gastronomic restaurants of Grand Case Bay, and the duty-free provisioning capital of the northern Caribbean (since 1939). Fully recovered from Hurricane Irma (2017).
31 km²
Simpson Bay Lagoon
1939
Duty-free since
2 flags
Dual-nation island
Dec–Apr
Sailing season
St. Martin / Sint Maarten — Critical Information for Sailors
Simpson Bay Bridge — VHF 12, strict schedule: The gateway to Simpson Bay Lagoon opens at 0930 and 1730 daily (Dec–Apr high season). Hail on VHF 12 at least 30 minutes before opening time. Fees: USD $10 (9–12m) up to $500 (36m+). Max beam 17m, max draft 6m. Emergency opening: USD $300 (pay at Simpson Bay police station). Missing the bridge means waiting hours for the next opening — plan your passage accordingly. Two separate customs jurisdictions: The French side (Saint-Martin) is an EU territory under Schengen — EU-flagged vessels from EU/Schengen ports face no customs formality, but must clear at Marigot Ferry Terminal if arriving from outside Schengen. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is a separate jurisdiction — ALL vessels must clear Dutch customs regardless of origin (EU-flagged vessels are NOT exempt). Declare firearms, ammunition, and cash above USD $11,000 on both sides or face vessel seizure. No anchoring within 200m of cruise ships in Philipsburg when ships are in port. VHF 16 for Philipsburg Port Authority. Hurricane season June–November: The island was devastated by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and has fully recovered. Do not anchor outside well-protected hurricane holes during June–November. Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin (Tintamarre, Pinel Islands and surroundings): day visits only — no overnight anchoring; use mooring buoys where provided; no anchoring in coral or seagrass; fines apply.
Sailing Regions
Simpson Bay Lagoon & French Side
7 anchoragesSimpson Bay Lagoon is the largest inland lagoon in the Caribbean — 31 km² of sheltered water straddling the Dutch-French border, accessed through the famous Simpson Bay Bridge (VHF 12, 0930/1730 daily, fees USD $10–$500 by vessel length). The lagoon offers exceptional holding in 2–4m brilliant white sand over mud, surrounded by six or more major marinas on the Dutch shore. The French side extends north to Grand Case Bay (gastronomic capital of the Caribbean), Marigot (French capital and EU customs clearance point), and the Réserve Naturelle islands of Tintamarre and Pinel — day-visit-only nature reserves with superb snorkelling and some of the clearest water in the Lesser Antilles.
Simpson Bay Bridge: VHF 12, 0930/1730 daily (Dec–Apr), fees USD $10–$500 by length, max beam 17m max draft 6m; French side EU territory — EU vessels from EU ports no customs formality, others clear at Marigot Ferry Terminal; Réserve Naturelle (Tintamarre, Pinel) — day visits only, no overnight anchoring, use mooring buoys
Explore Simpson Bay Lagoon & French Side anchorages →Philipsburg & Dutch South Side
6 anchoragesThe Dutch south side of Sint Maarten comprises the open roadstead of Great Bay (Philipsburg), the dramatic airport approaches of Little Bay and Mullet Bay (Princess Juliana Airport — aircraft 20m AGL over Maho Beach), the bridge waiting anchorage at Simpson Bay South, the quiet residential inner lagoon anchorage at Cole Bay, and the exposed northeastern bay at Guana Bay. Philipsburg is the duty-free shopping capital of the northern Caribbean (since 1939) — electronics, spirits, jewellery, and cosmetics at 20–30% below US mainland prices. All vessels must clear Dutch customs at Philipsburg or Simpson Bay Immigration regardless of origin.
Dutch customs clearance mandatory for ALL vessels at Philipsburg (Great Bay: Mon–Fri 0800–1200, 1300–1630; Sat–Sun 0900–1200) or Simpson Bay Immigration; VHF 16 for Philipsburg Port Authority; no anchoring within 200m of cruise ships while in port; Princess Juliana Airport approach overhead — extreme noise; weekly mooring fees apply to all Sint Maarten vessels
Explore Philipsburg & Dutch South Side anchorages →St. Martin / Sint Maarten Sailing Rules — Summary
- !Dutch side clearance (Sint Maarten): Great Bay Immigration (Mon–Fri 0800–1200, 1300–1630; Sat–Sun 0900–1200) or Simpson Bay Immigration (Mon–Sat 0800–1230, 1330–1630). Maximum stay: 90 days (extendable). Weekly mooring fees apply to all vessels. Sint Maarten is NOT part of the EU — Dutch Caribbean law applies. ALL vessels must clear in regardless of flag.
- !French side clearance (Saint-Martin): Captain reports to Immigration at Ferry Terminal, Marigot waterfront. Online pre-registration recommended. Saint-Martin is an EU overseas collectivity under Schengen — EU vessels from EU/Schengen ports no customs formality. Non-EU/Schengen vessels must clear. Maximum stay: 18 months. Mooring fee: €0.25/m/day (1–3 days), €0.35/m/day (beyond 3 days), currently Marigot Bay only.
- !Simpson Bay Bridge (VHF 12): Dec–Apr openings: 0930, 1130, 1700. May–Nov: 0930, 1130, 1700 (check seasonally). Fees USD $10 (9–12m) to $500 (36m+). Emergency opening: USD $300 at Simpson Bay police station. Max beam 17m, max draft 6m. Inner lagoon channel 2.5m — shoaling reported; proceed carefully in vessels drawing over 1.5m.
- !Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin: Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island — day visits only, no overnight anchoring. Use mooring buoys where provided. No anchoring in coral or seagrass. No spearfishing, no collection of marine life, no fires. Wardens patrol and fines apply.
- !Duty-free provisioning: Both sides of the island have been duty-free since 1939. Significant savings on spirits, electronics, jewellery, and cosmetics (20–30% below US or European mainland prices). Dutch side: US goods and electronics. French side: European wines, spirits, and French goods.