Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten lies in the northeastern Caribbean. The Dutch side functions as a major maintenance and refit centre for visiting yachts, with a dense concentration of marinas, boatyards, and marine services that draw boats from across the region.

Philipsburg, the island’s capital, is a practical stop for provisioning, hardware, and transport links, with shops and restaurants close to the waterfront. Crews often use it as a base for going ashore between work in the lagoon and nearby anchorages.

A visit to Sint Maarten often includes Maho Beach, where aircraft on approach to Princess Juliana International Airport pass low over the shore. The beach is within easy reach of nearby anchorages and marinas and sees a steady flow of visitors from both land and sea.

If you are a dog lover looking for something different ashore, SXM Paws offers volunteering opportunities that some cruising crews describe as a memorable and rewarding break from boat projects.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Great Bay	3.3 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Great Bay provides a flat and calm experience, especially in the morning and evenings. The town offers a variety of eateries and shops, adding convenience for visitors stopping by Bobby's Marina. However, anchoring fees are relatively high compared to nearby locations.
	Simpson Bay	3.1 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Simpson Bay is straightforward with clear access and good holding reported in sand bottoms. While the anchorage is often rolly, visitors highlight easy access to nearby amenities and resources, making it a convenient location for repairs and provisioning.
No image	Simpson Lagoon - Dutch Side	2.5 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Simpson Lagoon can be challenging, as noted by several Reviews mentioning difficulties with holding on sea grass. Its convenient location is appreciated for proximity to local services and chandleries. Visitors should prepare for the likelihood of rapid barnacle growth during their stay.

Boatyards and services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Boatyards

IMM SXM Shipyard

4.0 ★

Review summary: This boat yard accommodates various do-it-yourself projects, except for bottom work, and imposes fees for external work. Reviewers mention hands-on oversight may be necessary to ensure quality. Availability and operational assistance from experienced staff are a highlighted aspect of the service.

Chandlers

	Island Water World, Cole Bay	5.0 ★	Review summary: Island Water World in Cole Bay offers a wide selection of boating parts and supplies, including well-stocked shelves and helpful staff. Visitors appreciate the efficient assistance in cross-referencing and sourcing necessary items. Membership discounts are available with proper documentation.
	Budget Marine St. Maarten	4.7 ★	Review summary: Budget Marine St. Maarten provides easy dinghy access with a convenient dock. Multiple Reviews highlight a wide stock range and the acceptability of US dollar payments. Closed on Sundays, it also offers account setups for discounts with proper documentation.

This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to Sint Maarten.

On the Dutch side, anchoring in Simpson Bay and parts of Simpson Bay Lagoon usually attracts local anchoring and lagoon fees, and bridge transits follow published schedules and charges. The lagoon is shared between Dutch and French jurisdictions, so rules and fees differ between sectors, and skippers typically confirm current requirements on both sides before choosing where to anchor or berth. ​

Line fishing from yachts does not normally require a general licence, but spearfishing is restricted for visitors, and separate marine‑reserve regulations can limit both fishing and anchoring in designated protected zones.

During hurricane season, many cruising yachts either leave Sint Maarten or haul out locally. Boatyards on the island offer hurricane storage with tie‑downs and mast removal, and other crews head farther south in the Lesser Antilles.

• Best times of year to sail here: December to April
• Most common type of shore power: 110/220V 60Hz
• Cost for provisioning: Medium. Local markets often offer better value than marina-area stores.
• Currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG)
• Personal security: Crime levels are low to moderate, with petty theft and some violent incidents reported; visitors should take normal city‑level precautions, especially in tourist areas and at night.
• Emergency phone numbers:
  • Police: 911
  • Ambulance: 912
  • Coast Guard: 913
• International dialing code: +1-721
• Time zone(s): UTC -4

Sint Maarten’s maritime history is shaped primarily by the sea rather than inland agriculture. Before European settlement, Arawak and later Carib communities used coastal navigation and inter-island exchange. Although Christopher Columbus is traditionally credited with sighting the island in 1493, its main maritime role developed in the 17th century with the exploitation of salt ponds, which were important for regional trade and food preservation.

Salt exports drew sustained Dutch and French interest and concentrated activity around Great Bay and nearby lagoons. Rather than prolonged conflict, the two powers formalised shared control under the Treaty of Concordia in 1648, allowing continued shipping, provisioning, and trade across a divided island. This arrangement influenced how harbours were used, how customs were managed, and where coastal defences were built.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Sint Maarten functioned as a regional maritime node. Sheltered bays supported inter-island trade, privateering, and coastal commerce, while fortifications such as Fort Amsterdam focused on protecting anchorages and controlling access to nearby waters.

In the modern era, maritime activity has shifted toward yachting and marine services. Development around Simpson Bay Lagoon has made Sint Maarten a major cruising and refit hub, supported by marinas, boatyards, and events such as the St Maarten Heineken Regatta. The island’s role in regional sailing now centres on access to services, repair facilities, and established routes through the northeastern Caribbean.