CLEARANCE

As the island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten is composed of two territories, one French and one Dutch, custom and port procedures are different on each side of the island. However, arrival and departure custom requirements are mandatory on both sides.

Clearance in French side
Yacht clearing can be done with the Border Police (Police aux Frontières) and authorized clearance offices by French customs (check directory p.258). The clearance is free. In addition to the clearance procedure, all vessels entering Marigot Bay, Sandy Ground (lagoon side) or the bays of Grand-Case and Cul de Sac need to make the entry procedures with Port of Saint-Martin, in charge of these water bodies (excluding the marinas).

Clearance in Dutch side
Yacht clearing can be done with the Immigration Department in Philipsburg/Great Bay or Simpson Bay. You can clear out 24 hours in advance. There is a clearance fee.
In addition to immigration clearance, all vessels entering Simpson Bay and the Simpson Bay Lagoon are by law required to clear in at the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Clearance Office (check Directory for hours) and pay the Clearance, Mooring and Bridge fees.



MOORING FEES

The French side
A mooring fee is applied by Port of Saint-Martin in Marigot Bay (including outside the organized mooring area) and will have to be paid at the ferry terminal in Marigot or at the Commercial Port in Galisbay.

ICI INSERER TABELEAU MOORING FEE

The Dutch side
Simpson Bay mooring fee (inside and outside the lagoon)

Yacht length / Weekly rate
8-13 m / 20$
13-18 m / 40$
18-23 m / 60$
23-28 m / 90$
28-33 m / 120$
33-38 m / 150$
38-43 m / 180$
43-50 m / 210$
50-75 m / 250$
Over 75 m / 290$

BRIDGE OPENING TIMES SIMPSON BAY LAGOON / MARIGOT

The road around the Simpson Bay Lagoon features two drawbridges which cover channels connecting the lagoon with the open sea. The lagoon is split (between the French and the Dutch side) by a third bridge called the Causeway bridge. At different scheduled hours the bridges open for yachts to transit and thus the car traffic is stopped.
All mariners must hail the Bridge Operator (VHF 12) before transiting either bridge on St. Maarten, to make their intentions clear.

ICI INSERER TABLEAU BRIDGE OPENING TIMES

Simpson Bay Bridge (Dutch side)



Outbound traffic: 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 4:00 pm
Inbound traffic: 9h30, 11h30, 15h, 17h
Fee: Bridge fee
Average height closed: 2.4 m
Bridge width*: 17.0 m
Controlling depth*: 6.0 m
Speed limit: 5 knots
VHF: 12
Tel.: + 1 (721) 545 5230
+ 1 (721) 520 2059

Causeway Swing Bridge (Dutch side)



Outbound traffic: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 3:30 pm
Inbound traffic: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 3:30 pm
Fee: -
Average height closed: 6.2 m
Bridge width: 23 m
Controlling depth* : 6.0 m
Speed limit: 5 knots
VHF: 12
Tel.: + (1 721) 545 5230
+ (1 721) 520 2059

Sandy Ground Bridge (French side)



Since January 2022-Outbound/Inbound traffic: 8:30am and 5:00pm 7/7 (including Sun and on French bank holidays). The outbound traffic has priority.
Fee: No bridge fee
Average height closed: 3 m
Bridge width: 10 m
Controlling depth: 3.5 m - 3.8 m
Speed limit: 3 knots
VHF: 16
Tel.: + 590 (0) 590 773 126 (temporary)

SIMPSON BAY BRIDGE FEE

Yacht length / Fee
9-12 m / 7$
12-15 m / 21$
15-18 m / 42$
18-22 m / 120$
22-28 m / 200$
28-36 m / 300$
Over 36 m / 500$
Special opening / 1000$