CLEARANCE

As the island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten is composed of two territories, one French and one Dutch, custom 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 for hours). The clearance is free.

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 daily mooring fee is applied in Marigot Bay. It is based on a flat-rate fee regardless of the duration of the stay and a daily fee, depending on the length of the boat:

Yacht length/Mooring fee
8-13 m / 20€
13-18 m / 30€
18-23 m / 40€
23-28 m / 50€
28-33 m / 60€
33-38 m / 70€
38-43 m / 100€
43-50 m / 120€
50-75 m / 130€
Over 75 m / 150€

NON RESIDENT BOATS
up to 3 days: 0.25 € per meter per day
Over 3 days: 0.35 € per meter per day
RESIDENT BOATS
€ 0.13 per meter per day.

The Dutch side
Simpson Bay mooring fee

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$
Plus de 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.

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$