About St. Maarten/ St. Martin

St. Maarten has carved itself a special niche as one of the most attractive ‘service centres’ for professionally-crewed yachts throughout the entire Caribbean. Last season, this was once again portrayed with the marina dockage space being heavily occupied by some of the most notable and well-known boats in the industry, which were choosing to base out of St. Maarten and take advantage of all the island has to offer. 

St. Maarten has a superb range of technical services available to service yachts in 11 different marina facilities – from sails / canvas, mechanical engineering, carpentry, GRP works, painting, welding / fabrication, electrical and systems integrated electronics, CCTV, fuel cleaning, refrigeration and rigging, right through to a private aircraft charter company, a computer sales / service outlet, custom catering services, specialist Tender and Life Raft service centres and a variety of refit / repair companies, seriously worthy of consideration. There are a number of highly respected yacht services agents ready to assist in any way they can; and a first rate selection of provisioning options – from little gourmet stores and a choice of excellent supermarkets, through to some of the Caribbean’s top specialist provisioning outlets and dedicated fine wines suppliers.

The island’s duty-free status, combined with its direct links to the USA and Europe, gives yachts the opportunity to purchase any spares / equipment / provisions without paying tax or import duties. 

With both Budget Marine and Island Water World - the Caribbean’s two largest chandlery chains - based from here, customers are assured the fastest possible access to any spares requirements. There are also some of the best dedicated electrical spares and galley hardware stocks to be found here, a selection of fine florists, fantastic dive shops, a superb retail electronics store and great surf shops. Beyond all this, when the week’s work is done, one can scuba dive and great watersports; windsurfing and kite boarding at Orient Beach, rent a bicycle or kayak, take a guided hike, go horse riding or spend an afternoon at Loterie Farm enjoying their ‘Fly-zone’ extreme canopy tour; and sample fine dining at any of a great selection of top class restaurants, before taking St. Maarten nightlife to its infinite limits - and beyond! 

The 44th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, one of the most exciting and well-attended racing events in the Caribbean calendar, will be held from Feb 29^th – Mar 3^rd, 2024.

BRIDGE OPENING TIMES AND INFO 

Simpson Bay Bridge: VHF: 12

Height closed: 2.4 m (average depending on tides).

Width: 17.0 m

Controlling depth: 6.0 m

Opening times: 

Outbound traffic: 8.30 am – 10.30 am – 4 pm

Inbound traffic: 9.30 am – 11.30 am – 3 pm – 5 pm 

Causeway Bridge: VHF: 12

Height closed: 6.2 m (average depending on tides).

Width: 23.0 m

Controlling depth: 6.0 m

 Opening times:

8.00 am In/Outbound traffic

10.00 am In/Outbound traffic

3.30 pm In/Outbound traffic

Sandy Ground Bridge: VHF: 16

Width: 10 m

Depth: 3.5 / 3.8 m

Draught: 2.9 / 3.3 m

Opening times Monday to Saturday:

9.00 am In/Outbound traffic

5.00 pm In/Outbound traffic

Closed Sunday and Holidays.

Departing boats have priority.

Passage is free.