ST. MARTIN (DUTCH SINT MAARTEN AND FRENCH SAINT-MARTIN), SIMPSON BAY LAGOON, MARIGOT, TINTAMARRE, PINEL

Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin: boating safety

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St. Martin is split between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin and is a major yacht and charter hub of the northeastern Caribbean. Simpson Bay Lagoon, shared by both sides and entered through drawbridges, is home to many marinas. Boats cruise to Anguilla, St. Barths and the protected islets off the French side.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call +599 9 463 7700
Call Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (MOC) on +599 9 463 7700. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Sint Maarten: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Entry to and exit from Simpson Bay Lagoon on the Dutch side is through the Simpson Bay drawbridge, which opens at set times. Call ahead on VHF channel 12. The published openings are 8:30, 10:30 and 16:00 outbound and 9:30, 11:30, 14:00 and 17:00 inbound. Check the current schedule before you go.

Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (Port St. Maarten Group) ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “VHF Channel 12: Call ahead for entry/exit • No anchorage in the fairway Bridge Opening Times 8:30 AM – Outbound 9:30 AM – Inbound 10:30 AM – Outbound 11:30AM – Inbound 02:00 PM – Inbound 4:00 PM – Outbound 05:00 PM – Inbound”

Local rules

The speed limit in the Simpson Bay bridge channel and the lagoon is 5 mph. Do not anchor in the fairway.

Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (Port St. Maarten Group) ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “• Clearance (closed): approx. 8.5 ft (varies with tide) • Speed limit in bridge channel and lagoon: 5 mph • VHF Channel 12: Call ahead for entry/exit • No anchorage in the fairway”

Tintamarre and Pinel are in the French Saint-Martin Nature Reserve, which provides yellow moorings there. Boats under 33 ft may anchor, but only on sand. The Pinel moorings take boats up to 40 ft and the Tintamarre moorings up to 50 ft.

Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin · Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin ▾
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “17 permanent yellow moorings placed at the disposition of boat ‐ up to 50 feet ou up to 15 tons ‐ by the Réserve Naturelle help limit damage to coral and plant beds. Boats under 33 feet are allowed to drop an anchor, but only on a sandy bottom.”
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “15 permanent yellow moorings placed at the disposition of boat – up to 40 feet or 10 tons – by the Réserve Naturelle help limit damage to plant beds. Boats under 33 ft are allowed to drop an anchor, but only on a sandy bottom.”

At Creole Rock, in the reserve's marine park, boats may enter only if they use the moorings provided. Jet skis and fishing are banned around Pinel.

Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin · Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin ▾
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “Creole Rock is located within the limits of the Marine Park, and as such is environmentally protected and ruled. It is possible for boats to enter this area as long as they use the moorings that have been made available.”
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “The island is included in the Marine Park, which means that jet skis and fishing are prohibited. Access to Pinel by boat is tricky and it is a must to use the passage between Green Cay and Pinel.”

Hazards

The Green Cay mooring area off Orient Bay becomes untenable in a northerly swell. The approach to Pinel is tricky, so use the passage between Green Cay and Pinel.

Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin · Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin ▾
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “The mooring zone is within the Natural reserve but becomes untenable when there are swells from the north.”
reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com (2026-10-14): “Access to Pinel by boat is tricky and it is a must to use the passage between Green Cay and Pinel.”

Hospital and medical

St Maarten Medical Center at Cay Hill on the Dutch side has an emergency department open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

St Maarten Medical Center ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “St Maarten Medical Center’s extensive commitment to the community of St Maarten and neighboring islands includes an emergency department which is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.”

Arriving from abroad

Any pleasure boat arriving in or leaving French Saint-Martin must complete French Antilles clearance. French Customs runs it online, so you can file before you arrive.

French Customs (Douane) via demarche.numerique.gouv.fr · French Customs (Douane) via demarche.numerique.gouv.fr ▾
demarches-simplifiees.fr (2026-10-14): “vous devez accomplir les formalités de clearance obligatoires pour l’entrée et la sortie des îles des Antilles françaises (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélémy et Saint-Martin), conformément aux dispositions de l’ arrêté préfectoral du 5 août 2024 .”
demarches-simplifiees.fr (2026-10-14): “Ce formulaire de clearance est désormais dématérialisé, ce qui vous offre un gain de temps en vous permettant d’effectuer cette formalité en amont de votre arrivée ou de votre sortie.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin?

Call Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (MOC) on +599 9 463 7700. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Read before you sail

Ran aground? What to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerChartering in Sint Maarten: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Tortola 89 nmAntigua — English Harbour 99 nmSt. Thomas and St. John 100 nmGuadeloupe — Pointe-à-Pitre 142 nmFajardo 144 nmMartinique — Le Marin 251 nmSt Lucia — Rodney Bay 267 nmThe Grenadines — Bequia / Union Island 319 nm

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