Superyacht Guide to St Maarten
Practical Superyacht Guide to St Maarten, covering Simpson Bay, Yacht Club Isle de Sol, bridge access, clearance, crew base, provisioning and verified emergency notes.
Caribbean , Sint Maarten · Nearest airport: Princess Juliana International Airport
Last verified: July 4, 2026
Overview
St Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s strongest superyacht service and provisioning bases, centred on Simpson Bay Lagoon and its marina/service network.
This guide focuses on Dutch-side yacht operations, marina data, bridge access, clearance and emergency notes. Captains should confirm whether operations involve the Dutch or French side because procedures and contacts differ.
Captain notes
St Maarten is a major Caribbean-season provisioning, crew, service and logistics base. Captains should plan bridge openings, customs and immigration, berth allocation, lagoon movement, contractor access and security before arrival.
IGY Yacht Club Isle De Sol publishes 40 Megayacht berths, VHF Channel 16 & 78A, maximum length 320 feet / 97m, maximum draft 18 feet / 5.5m and maximum beam 50 feet / 15m.
Marinas and berthing
Yacht Club Isle De Sol is an IGY superyacht marina in Simpson Bay. The official IGY page lists phone +1 721 544 2408, VHF Channel 16 & 78A, 40 Megayacht berths, maximum length 320 feet / 97m, maximum draft 18 feet / 5.5m and ISPS compliance.
IGY Simpson Bay Marina and other Simpson Bay Lagoon facilities may also be relevant depending on vessel size, bridge access and service requirements.
Port authority
Port St Maarten information for Simpson Bay Lagoon states that the Simpson Bay Bridge is the primary gateway for vessels entering the lagoon, that vessels should call ahead on VHF Channel 12 for entry/exit, and that the speed limit in the bridge channel and lagoon is 5 mph.
Customs and immigration
The St Maarten Marine Trades Association states that all vessels arriving in Dutch St Maarten waters must clear in and out through Immigration and Customs, and that clearance can be completed at Simpson Bay or Great Bay / Philipsburg.
It also states that vessels must report to Immigration and Customs immediately upon arrival and prior to departure. Captains should verify current office hours, forms, bridge fees and clearance charges before arrival.
Emergency contacts
St Maarten emergency numbers: UK travel advice lists police 911, ambulance 911, fire 919 and coastguard 913. Local emergency lists commonly show police 911, ambulance 912, fire 919 and coastguard 913, so captains should verify current emergency routing on arrival.
Doctors, hospitals and medical support
St Maarten Medical Center is commonly listed locally as 910 or +1 721 543 1111, but medical routing should be confirmed with the marina, yacht agent or emergency services before operational use.
VHF and radio notes
Yacht Club Isle De Sol publishes VHF Channel 16 & 78A. Simpson Bay Bridge information says to call ahead on VHF Channel 12 for entry/exit. Distress at sea should use VHF 16 where appropriate.
Captains should confirm bridge opening times and working channels before arrival.
Bunkering
Bunkering should be arranged through the marina, yacht agent or approved fuel supplier. Lagoon access, bridge scheduling and delivery rules should be checked before confirming fuel operations.
Provisioning
St Maarten is a strong Caribbean provisioning and service base. Specific suppliers should be selected from verified Superyacht Guide companies, current yacht-agent recommendations and marina-approved vendors.
Crew notes
St Maarten is a major crew, provisioning and service base during the Caribbean season. Crew logistics should account for immigration status, Dutch/French side movements, bridge access and airport transfers.
Refit and repair
St Maarten supports yacht services and light-to-medium technical work through Simpson Bay Lagoon’s service network. Larger refit or yard requirements should be checked with specific facilities and contractors before planning work.
Security and safety
Bridge movements, lagoon speed limits, clearance requirements, Dutch/French side procedures and marina security should be verified before arrival. Captains should also review current local security notices.
Seasonal and weather notes
St Maarten is especially active during the Caribbean winter season. Hurricane-season planning, insurance constraints, storm berth availability and seasonal service pressure should be reviewed early.
Local rules
Bridge, lagoon, clearance, Dutch/French side movement and anchoring rules should be confirmed with official sources, the marina or yacht agent before operational use.
Sources and verification
Batch 3 source notes. Initial operational research updated from IGY Yacht Club Isle De Sol, Port St Maarten / Simpson Bay Bridge information, St Maarten Marine Trades Association and emergency sources.