Full-service Premier Yachting Destination.

st. maarten yacht club

St. Maarten has become one of the Caribbean’s premier yachting destinations hosting some of the most exclusive and luxurious vessels in the world. We also have a thriving long-term and stopover cruising sector. The Simpson Bay Lagoon, in the island’s west houses the main facilities for yachts. The border cuts through the lagoon and divides St. Maarten from St. Martin. The Dutch side has most of the major marinas as well as a wide range of service companies and suppliers.

Yachting has great growth potential. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) has plans to further market and expand this sector. A subsidiary of Port St. Maarten, SLAC is responsible for both the lagoon and the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge which spans the only channel in Dutch St. Maarten between the lagoon and the sea. Endless sailing events. Year round. Organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Yachts of all sizes from across the region come to the main annual sailing event, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

LANDMARK PROJECT
Causeway Investment has not been limited to the harbor. In December 2013 construction was completed of a 760-meter causeway connecting Airport Boulevard to Cole Bay. The idea of the causeway was first considered in 2001 and the landmark project has been realized. The principal aim was to ease congestion in the area by providing an alternative route to the Simpson Bay Bridge.

It includes two traffic lanes, walkways on both sides and protective barriers. Located almost along the Dutch-French border, the causeway includes a state-of-the-art swing bridge. This allows yachts to pass in both directions when open. When closed, it has an overhead clearance of 6.0 meters.

MARINAS
Anything a captain or a ship might need can be found in St. Maarten. We’re boat country! Over 10 marinas can provide provisioning stores, sail makers, boat builders and chandleries. Haul-out services are available at various locations with three travel lifts with 75-150 ton capacity.

DIVERSE. VERSATILE. ACCOMMODATING.
Elsewhere in St. Maarten, Dock Maarten in Great Bay, the closest marina to the cruise terminal, can accommodate 40 vessels of up to 120 ft in length, while Captain Oliver’s Marina offers 150 berths in Oyster Pond on the east side of the island, which straddles the French/Dutch border. Yachts up to a maximum beam of 56 ft (17 meters) and a maximum draft of 17.0 ft (5.0 meters) can enter the Simpson Bay Lagoon through the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge.

GIGA YACHTS
Giga yachts and vessels too large to enter the lagoon can be catered to elsewhere, including at designated windjammer berths beside the cruise facility in Great Bay or, depending on the cruise ship schedule, can berth alongside the cruise pier.

Fueling services are available to giga yachts in Great Bay; a fuel station has been installed at the windjammer berth. St. Maarten Harbor Fueling Company NV, a subsidiary of Port St. Maarten operates this facility and handles all refueling operations.

FUEL STATION
Opened in 2011, the fuel station was set up solely to handle giga yachts unable to enter the Simpson Bay Lagoon due to depth restrictions. Three 20,000-liter tanks are for delivery at the berths and larger volumes can be delivered by road tanker.

LAGOON AUTHORITY FULFILS VITAL ROLES.

The Simpson Bay Lagoon is a vast enclosed area of relatively shallow water on the western side of St. Maarten, and is separated from the sea with a narrow strip of land on three sides. Straddling the border between St. Maarten/Saint Martin it is a haven for yachts and mega yachts from across the region.

One draw bridge allows vessels out into Simpson Bay and the open sea. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) is responsible for managing this stretch of water as well as the operation of the bridge.

In addition to managing, developing and controling Simpson Bay, the Simpson Bay Lagoon and the John Sainsborough Lejeuz Bridge (the Simpson Bay Bridge) also strives to enhance and improve the environment. It encourages visitors and vessels to comply with local rules and regulations and to keep the lagoon and its facilities safe and free of pollution. It aims to ensure that St. Maarten is one of the best, most pleasant and enjoyable yachting destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. SLAC is also a driving force in the development of economically and environmentally-sustainable and durable yachting tourism in St. Maarten.

LAGOON MANAGEMENT
Within the lagoon, SLAC collects mooring fees and is involved in the maintenance of the lagoon. The Lagoon Authority also manages issues concerning dredging and navigation systems. SLAC works in conjunction with the St. Maarten police force and the coastguard to ensure users operate safely. The maritime police force, the St. Maarten Police Force and the coastguard work together.

BRIDGE
Opened three times a day for both inbound and outbound traffic, a nominal fee is charge. Small vessels with a clearance of less than 8.6 ft can transit the bridge free of charge while closed. The bridge was installed in 1986 and the current structure will require replacement around 2017.

SECURITY
In 2012, cameras were installed on the bridge for security purposes. Improved monitoring and security supported by the airport and the Ministry of Justice. As a result, illegal activity has been significantly reduced.

CUSTOMER CARE FROM SHIP TO GATE
Port St. Maarten is known for good customer relations practice. Ensuring smooth, safe and efficient operations is of utmost importance. The key to this objective is a well-trained staff. Cargo handling, vessel services and the passenger experience can depend on it.

SAFETY
Vast numbers of passengers as well as transshipment containers pass through our harbor daily. Security and safety is a priority at Port St. Maarten. The GLS has revolutionized the secure handling of port cargo. A police sub-station is strategically placed on the Captain Hodge Wharf. Security measures and practices are visible across the terminal – a comforting message to the passenger far away from home.