The Windward and Leeward islands form the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea. Stretching from Grenada to Martinique, the Windwards got their name because British ships sailing from other colonies frequently had to beat to weather to reach them. The northern islands of the archipelago are more to leeward, so the British called them the Leeward Islands.
This Travel Notes page provides useful information about St. Martin. From airport procedures to currency exchange it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.
Base Manager
Corrado Losi
Address
The Moorings
Captain Oliver’s Marina
Oyster Pond
97150 St. Martin
Hours of Operation
8:30am - 4:30pm, 7 days a week
Base Facilities
Your comfort is assured by extensive facilities including a hotel, restaurant, swimming pool, dive shop, gift shop.
Base Map
Arrival / Departure Procedure
Embarkation: Charters start at 12:00 noon or 6:00 pm (with evening start).
Briefing Times: Boat/chart Briefings are scheduled at:
8:45am or 9:00am for noon starts
2:30pm or 3:00pm for evening starts
All head charterers are required to attend the briefings.
Disembarkation: All charters end at 12 noon at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.
Late Arrival Procedure
The Customer Service Desk is open till 5:00pm. If clients arrive after office hours, a message will be left on the front door indicating where their boat is on the dock.
Taxes / Departure Tax
For visitors leaving St. Maarten on international flights the departure tax is $30.
For domestic flights from other islands withing the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius), the tax is $10. The airport tax is included in the air ticket price.
Taxi
The Moorings does not offer prepaid airport transfers from Juliana Airport to the base - however, the base still sends the taxi company Transco to meet and greet the guests and drive them to the base and take them to Customer Service.
An additional benefit is that if a client arrives late (outside of regular hours) the taxi company representative will guide the guests to their boat.
Car Rental
Rental agencies are located at both airports and at the major hotels.
Available are Explorer, Avis, Budget, Caribbean Auto Rental, Diamond Jeep and Car Rental, Hertz, Lucky Car Rental, Opel Car Rental, and Risdon Car Rental. Motorcycles and mopeds are also available for hire.
Driving is on the right side of the road; most of the roads are in fairly good repair.
Ferry Services
Ferries run to Anguilla and St. Barts
Anguilla - Tel: 05 90 87 57 21
From Anguilla to Saint-Martin/ Saint-Martin to Anguilla available from Marigot every 30 minutes.
Ferries SXM to St. Barts are available from Marigot and Oyster Pond.
St. Barts - Tel: 05 90 87 10 68
From St. Bart to St. Martin/ St. Martin to St. Bart
Area: 37 sq. miles (96 sq. km.)
Population: 77,000
Official Name: St. Martin, French West Indies / St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Capital City: Marigot on the French Side / Phillipsburg, on the Dutchside
Nationality: French & Dutch Citizens
Official Languages: French, Dutch, English
Ethnic groups: Creole (mulatto), Black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), White, East Indian
Religion: Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu
Government: British Dependent Territory
Industries: tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry.
Tipping: If the gratuity is not included in the final bill, then a 10 to 15 % tip is standard. In St. Maarten and St. Martin, airport porters generally expect a tip of about $1 USD per bag, taxi drivers usually get a $0.50 USD to $1 USD tip depending how long of a cab trip was taken, and if they handled any luggage.
Currency: The Local currency is the Euro and United States Dollar (USD).
Time: UTC/GMT -4 hours
Festivals & Holidays
New Year's Day (Dutch & French)
Queens Birthday (Dutch)
Labor Day (Dutch & French)
Victory Day (French)
Bastille Day (French)
St. Maarten Day (French)
Concordia Day (French)
Christmas Day (Dutch & French)
Boxing Day (Dutch)
| Moveable Public Holidays |
| Good Friday |
| Easter |
| Easter Monday |
| Whit Monday |
Hotels
Captain Oliver’s Hotel
Columbus Hotel
Restaurants
Captain Oliver’s Restaurant – located at the base
L'escale – located at the base
Dinghy Dock – Oyster Pond
Le Planteur – Oyster Pond
Le Mississippi – Oyster Pond
Post Office
There is a Post Office in Marigot. Postage stamps can be purchased at post offices (hours are irregular and lines can be long and slow), cafés-tabacs and at hotel newsstands or souvenir shops.
Internet Connectivity
Anima Lounge Bar & Tapas offers WiFi Internet services.
Cellular Phones
Your cell phone may work in the Caribbean, check with your service provider before leaving home, for international services. No phone rentals are available.
Tourist Information Centres
Office du Tourisme
Port de Marigot
97150 St. Martin
Tel: (590) 590-87-57-21, (590) 590- 87-57-23
Fax: (590) 590-87-56-43
Banks
Banking Hours: Airport - Monday to Sunday 8:30am to 5:30pm
Other Banks - Monday - Thursday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
ATM: At 40 min drive from the base, in Marigot (French side) clients will find several banks: Banque des Antilles Françaises, Banque Française Commerciale, La Poste, each with an ATM cash dispenser. At 20 min drive from the base, in Philipsburg (Dutch side) clients will find several banks: Leeward Island Bank, ABN Amro Bank, Nova Scotia, each with an ATM cash dispenser.
Currencies / Money Exchange
Accepted Forms of Payment:
US Dollars and US travelers checks are used on both side of St. Martin and surrounding islands. Only Visa and Master Cards are accepted at The Moorings St. Martin Base. Visa, Master and Amex cards are accepted in most of the larger restaurants and Boutiques in St. Martin and surrounding islands.
Fishing
No license is required. There's a scuba shop in the marina that rents fishing equipment.
Ciguatera is a BIG problem. Don’t eat any fish you have caught before checking with a local fisherman.
Snorkeling or Diving
Diving equipment is available at the base. For additional equipment, the marina offers a dive shop, and other dive shops are available elsewhere on the island.
Water Sports
Kayaks can be added to your charter contract. Windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, and jet skiing are activities that are regularly offered at the more popular beaches and in the inland lagoons. Rental and instruction tend to be fairly inexpensive.
Hiking
For those who want to experience the natural beauty of the island on foot, there are 25 miles of clearly defined footpaths running through the mountains and along the shore, revealing some truly spectacular panoramas.
Loterie Farm
Tel: 590-590-87-86-16
Offers organized hikes of varying degrees of difficulty.
Musee de Marigot
Tel: 590-590-29-22-84
Horseback Riding
Most equestrian centers offer organized rides by the hour or for half of a day.
OK Corral - 590-590-87-40-72
Offers daily trail, beach rides and riding lessons
Bayside Riding Club - 590-590-87-36-64
Offers daily trail, beach rides and riding lessons.
Marina Information
Local Dockage Facilities:
A listing of sites is covered in the chart briefing.
Tax/Cruising Permits:
Cruising permits are not required in St. Martin
The Marina:
The base is located at Captain Oliver’s Marina at Oyster Pond, on the French side. The Moorings structure is on the front dock of the marina, with the customer service office, briefing room, and boutique and provisioning space. Located on the marina, the harbour office is on the corner near the Captain Oliver’s Restaurant - Tel: 590-590-87-30
Client will find showers, weather information and public telephones. For a St. Martin shower, clients need to use at least 3 or 4 United States quarters (three 25 cent coins).
Electricity Information
Dutch Sint Maarten:
Tthe electricity runs at 120 volts at 60 cycles, and outlets will accept the standard two and three pronged plugs found in the USA.
French St. Martin
Voltage runs at 220 volts at 60 cycles and outlets use the Standard European two cylinder plugs.
Yachts
Standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. In order to use electronic equipment that is 110v or 220v, you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter. This is not available at the St Martin base. The base provides step down transformers (220 to 110) for a refundable deposit of 20$ USD. All yachts with a generator, offer 220 volt outlets.
Sailing Area Restrictions
Several zones in The Caribbean have been restricted by The Moorings for the client’s security. These are reviewed in the briefing and include:
Mooring & Park Fees
Cruising Information
All charterers are free to sail the complete ground from the BVI in the north (one way only) to Grenada in the south, subject to prior approval and the restriction of St. Martin boats going to Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Charters that are booked for a one-way drop-off at Guadeloupe will go to "Marina Bas-du-Fort" in Pointe-a-Pitre. Web: www.marina-pap.com
The cruising area includes St. Martin, Anguilla (to the west), and St. Barts (to the southeast). There are over 50 protective anchorages in this area and miles of sandy beaches, as well as beautiful reefs for snorkeling, diving, and exploring. Sailing distance between the islands is about 2-4 hours.
Interesting Sites
Please visit the Itinerary Page for more of the best places to visit on your trip. While you are in St. Martin take the opportunity to visit these other cultural attractions.
One of the things that set the dual-nation island of St. Maarten/St. Martin apart from a typical beach destination is the incredible variety of sporting and adrenalin-charged activities available to visitors. Whether you get your thrills zipping across the waves on a Jet Ski, exploring the mysterious wonder of the ocean depths, or hiking or biking to the top of a windswept peak for a breathtaking view of the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin has something to please your sporting taste.
On a Moorings Crewed Yacht charter, all of your food and beverages are included (alcohol too)! Your gourmet Chef will prepare delicious meals, snacks and drinks that are customized for your dietary needs and preferences.
After reserving your yacht, we will provide you with a Cuisine and Beverage Preferences Form, where you may indicate the personalized selections for all guests. This assists your gourmet Chef in preparing dishes and drinks customized for everyone to enjoy. Speak with your Moorings Vacation Planning Specialist for details.
Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
Vaccination and Immunization Information
St. Martin is generally risk-free of contagious disease.
At time of publication, an International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory.
Medical Information
There are many doctors on the island.
A hospital is located in Marigot (Tel: 590-590-29-57-57) and another in Philipsburg (Tel: 00-599-543-11-11).
Hotels will assist visitors in contacting English-speaking doctors (if requested). Pharmacies carry prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. In Marigot, a green cross marks the pharmacies.
Clients wanting more information on vaccinations and immunizations should contact:
The Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers' Hotline in the USA at 404-332-4559.
Detailed traveler's advice on traveling abroad can also be found in English at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm.
For Americans, useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
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