St. Martin Travel Information
Before You Travel | How to Get There | Boarding Time/Check Out | What's On Board | What to Bring | Health & Safety
This page provides useful planning, pre-departure and travel information. From servicing airports to base arrival procedures, it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and care free.
We suggest you read the following information carefully several weeks prior to departure and also print a copy to take with you.
COVID-19 Travel Guidelines
It is important that you refer to our main COVID-19 page for St. Martin to see detailed guidelines and information sources before you go on vacation.
*St. Martin has imposed a travel ban on travelers from or connecting through the Dominican Republic.
Before You Travel
Address
The Moorings
Mariner Yacht Services
Marina Fort-Luis
Baie de Marigot
Marigot 97150, Saint Martin
The base is located at Marina Fort-Luis in Marigot on the French side
Base Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm, 7 days a week
Season: Due to Hurricane Season, this destination is closed to charter vacations between September 1st through 30th.
Time Zone
UTC/GMT-4 hours
Tourist Information Center
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
General Information
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 / Philipsburg, 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 / On the French side: Collectivité de St Martin
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 a taxi trip was taken, and if they handled any luggage.
Currency: The local currency is the Euro and United States Dollar (USD) & Dutch guilders.
Festivals & Holidays
New Year's Day (Dutch & French)
Abolition of Slavery (French): May 27th
Abolition of Slavery (Dutch)
Ash day (French)
Kings Day (Dutch)
Queens Birthday (Dutch)
Labor Day (Dutch & French)
Victory Day (French): May 8th & November 11th
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
How to Get There
Three ways to get to St Martin:
- Fly to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport; take a taxi to the base; distance is approximately 20 minutes
- Fly to St. Martin’s Grand Case Airport (in Grand Case, French side); take a taxi to the base; distance is approximate 20 minutes.
- Take a ferry from Anguilla to Marigot Port, capitol of the French side of St. Martin. (Every 30 min. From St.Barths to Marigot daily 7:30am, 11:30am and 5:00pm
Airport
Princess Juliana Airport located on the Dutch side
Grand Case Airport, located on the French side, is used for local traffic.
Air France
Liat
K L M
Continental Airlines
American Airlines
US Airways
British Airways
Delta
Jet Blue
Insel Air
Air Caraibes
Coppa Airline
Seaborne Airlines via Puerto Rico (a Delta Airline Affiliate, you may fly with Delta to Puerto Rico and on to St Martin with Seaborne without having to recheck your bags)
Winair
Flights
Due to the number of flights we organize, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact our inhouse flight specialist at 866.649.2003 before you book your flights.
Private Charter Flights
Through our partnership with a number of reputable airlines The Moorings can arrange private charter flights to St. Martin and any other of our Caribbean destinations. Contact our in-house flight specialist at 866.649.2003 for more details.
Transfers
The Moorings does not offer prepaid airport transfers from Juliana Airport to the base - however, the base still organizes 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.
Transfer cost: $35 for 1-3 pax and additional $10 for 4 pax and beyond.
Car Rentals
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 rent.
Driving is on the right side of the road; most of the roads are in fairly good condition.
Taxis are not metered; the government sets rates. Authorized taxis display stickers of the St. Maarten Taxi Association.
Fixed fares apply from Juliana International Airport and the Marigot ferry to the various hotels and around the island. Charges are based on carrying two passengers per trip and on the destination. A fee is added for each additional passenger. Approx cost from Juliana Airport to Moorings base US$30.
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.
St. Barts - Tel: 05 90 87 10 68
From St. Bart to St. Martin/ St. Martin to St. Bart
Boarding Time/Check Out
Boarding Time Procedures
Charter Boarding Time: 12:00 noon or 6:00 pm (with a Sleep Aboard).
Briefing Times: 9:00 am for noon starts and 2:30 pm for a Sleep Aboard
All skippers must attend the briefing and everything you need to know will be covered from customs regulations, use of the radio, making dinner reservations, how to get help etc.. please save all questions of this nature until then. The Moorings operations manual will be on board your yacht for your use throughout yor charter.
All skippers must attend a Chart Briefing which covers all you need to know about the cruising area, use of the VHF radio, how to call for assistance, and more. A Boat Briefing will also be provided onboard your yacht.
Late Arrivals
The Customer Service Desk is open till 4:30 pm. If clients arrive after office hours, a message will be left on the front door indicating where their boat is on the dock.
Check Out Procedures
Charter End Time: All charters end at 11am at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.
A debriefing and final walkthrough will be done upon return so please allow enough time to complete this before the charter end time.
What's on Board
Provisioning
Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your vacation. Additional items are available to be purchased and delivered directly to your yacht. Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more.
Mobile phones
Your mobile phone may work in the Caribbean and we recommend checking with your service provider before leaving home, for international services.
Music/iPods
While most of our newer boats have Bluetooth capability, we cannot guarantee all boats are outfitted with this equipment. For your convenience, we highly recommend you bring an AUX cord so you can listen to music from your mobile devices.
Electricity
Dutch Sint Maarten:
The electricity runs at 110 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
S tandard 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.
Free Wi-Fi access available at the marina lobby only.
Important: We do not offer free Wi-Fi on our boats in St Martin.
At the base, we can help with Wi-Fi access by renting a Wi-Fi hub at the base. 50.00 USD payable in cash only. We have limited stock. You can connect at least 5 devices on the box. The network will be only available on Saint Martin French side and St Barthelemy. You would have to go online or on a hotline to purchase extra data.
We highly recommend you contact your personal phone/internet providers before traveling to see if you can get a reliable connection during your sailing trip.
For more information on what's included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.
What to Bring
Customs & Immigration
Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit travel.state.gov for the latest information.
A valid passport (for each passenger) and crew list is compulsory for clearance. Expiration date must be no earlier than 6 months after your planned return. A customs declaration form must be completed at the port of entry.
Departure Tax: The airport departure tax is $35 pp – payable in USD at Princess Juliana Airport. (Esperance Airport: No departure tax). Typically, the departure tax is included in the price of your flight, please check with your airline.
Customs & Immigration Fees (prices are subject to vary depending on time of year)
- On the French side in Marigot, the office opening hours are 9:00am to 11:30am and 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The fee will be between 10 and 15 Euro depending on the size of the boat. Office located opposite The Moorings marina.
- On the Dutch side, Philipsburg or Simpson: For clearance out, they ask for the paper of the clearance in from Dutch side. Fee: approx. $20USD in Simpson Bay. On Sunday, overtime charges will apply.
- Anguilla: $2 USD per person and may stay at port of entry free of charge. Cruising permits to outer islands cost: 5-20 tonnes $40 USD + $2 USD per person. 20 tonnes + $60 USD + $2USD per person.
- St. Barts: $7 USD for yachts 35-45ft. Minimum 20 Euros for a catamaran and 2 Euros/passenger for “la réserve Naturelle”
- St. Kitts & Nevis: EC$20
Luggage & Packing List
Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring.
- Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
- Passport and other travel documentation
- Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
- Light-colored, light-weight clothing
- Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
- Swimwear and cover up
- Hats and sunglasses
- Sandals and flip-flops
- Athletic shoes and hiking boots
- Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
- Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments
AUX cable for playing music through your device
12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices
*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a "car" outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.
Drones
The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-sint-maarten/
Currency
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Euros, 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.
Gratuity
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 a taxi trip was taken, and if they handled any luggage.
Taxes & Fees
You might incur some costs while on charter such as mooring and docking fees or cruising taxes. We highly recommend bringing enough of the local currency to cover these costs as they are not always payable by USD, debit, and/or credit cards. Please see our Base Notes for additional information.
For visitors leaving St. Maarten on international flights the departure tax is $35. Typically, this tax is included in the price of your flight. For domestic flights from other islands within the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius), the tax is $35. Sometimes the airport tax is included in the cost of your air ticket.
Security Deposit
A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or Master Card and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.
Health & Safety
Vaccination and Immunization Information
This destination is generally risk-free of contagious disease.
You are advised to be up-to-date with your Tetanus, Hepatitus A & B and Typhoid vaccines. However, please consult your GP for the latest immunisation information before you travel. An International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information.
Travel Advice
Your health and safety are important to us. For advice on how to stay safe while on charter, please review our Travel Advice Information. Current travel and safety information can be obtained by visiting travel.state.gov
Swim Safe
Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board.
Children
- Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
- Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
- Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended.
- Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.
Be aware of your surroundings
- Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted.
- Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
- Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
- Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
- Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.
Look out for others
- Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
- Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.
Do not overestimate your ability
- Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.
- Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.
Safety
All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding - If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing.
We have a very limited supply of children's life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.
Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck.
Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.
Travel Insurance
The Moorings offers comprehensive travel insurance for your peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, verify that it covers the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
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.
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