St. Martin Travel Information & Planning Guide

The total area of St Martin is 37 sq. miles (96 sq. km.), making it one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean. The French side is around 20 sq. miles, while the Dutch side is around 17 sq miles.

The total population of St Martin is 77,000. There are around 41,000 people living on the Dutch side, and just over 32,000 living on the French side. 

St Martin is split into two sides, and each one has their own name. The name of the French side is ‘St. Martin, French West Indies’, and the name of the Dutch side is Sint. Maarten, a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

As the territory is divided, there are two capital cities for you to visit during your yacht charter. The capital city is Marigot on the French Side,  and Philipsburg, on the Dutch side. 

French & Dutch Citizens, depending on which of the territories you are visiting. 

The official languages of St Martin are French, Dutch, and English. 

There are several predominant religions on St Martin, including Roman Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Protestant, and Hindu.

The most widely used currencies across the island are the Euro and US Dollar.

Euros, US Dollars and US travelers checks are used on both sides of St. Martin and surrounding islands, and are considered accepted forms of payment. 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.

The main festivals and holidays celebrated or recognised in St Martin are:

• New Year’s Day (Dutch & French)
• Labor Day (Dutch & French) 
• Christmas Day (Dutch & French)  
• Abolition of Slavery (Dutch & French))  
• Ash day (French)  
• Victory Day (French) 
• Bastille Day (French)  
• St. Maarten Day (French)  
• Concordia Day (French)  
• Kings Day (Dutch)  
• Queens Birthday (Dutch)  
• Boxing Day (Dutch)
  
  Public holidays in St Martin that shift in date from year to year include:

• Good Friday  
• Easter  
• Easter Monday  
• Whit Monday

There are three ways to get to St Martin:

• Fly to St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (on the Dutch side); take a taxi to the base, the distance is approximately 20 minutes.
• Fly to St. Martin’s Grand Case Airport (on the French side); take a taxi to the base, the distance is approximately 20 minutes.
• Take a ferry from Anguilla to Marigot Port, capital of the French side of St. Martin (Every 30 min from St. Barth to Marigot daily: 7:30am, 11:30am and 5:00pm).

There are two airports in St Martin: 

• Princess Juliana Airport (SXM), located on the Dutch side 
• Grand Case Airport (SFG), located on the French side, is used for local traffic.

The airlines which fly to these airports include:

• Winair.
• Air France  
• Liat  
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• 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)  

We can arrange transfers from the airport to the base. Please reach out to the Pre-travel team to assist you. With the information provided, the base will arrange your taxi. 

Below are the costs for pre-arranged taxis:

From / To Princess Juliana International Airport (Dutch Side – Sint Maarten)

• 1 Person: €25 / $25
• 2 Persons: €20 / $20 per person
• 3 Persons: €15 / $15 per person
• 4 or More Persons: €12 / $12 per person

Provisioning Stop (additional fee for taxi to wait while you shop): €10 / $10

From / To Grand Case Airport (French Side – Saint-Martin)

• 1 Person: €30 / $30
• 2 Persons: €25 / $25 per person
• 3 Persons: €20 / $20 per person
• 4 or More Persons: €15 / $15 per person

Provisioning Stop (additional fee for taxi to wait while you shop): €15 / $15

Please note that taxi prices increase by 25% between 10:00pm and 12:00am, and by 50% from 12:00am until 6:00am.

For customers who have NOT booked a transfer with us, you are welcome to take a taxi directly from the airport. Prices will vary according to the taxi’s installed rate. Customers should indicate they wish to be dropped off at Marina Fort Louis, Galisbay Marigot.

Rental agencies are located at both airports and at the major hotels. 

Rental companies available are: 

• Explorer
• Avis
• Budget
• Caribbean Auto Rental
• Diamond Jeep and Car Rental
• Hertz
• Lucky Car Rental
• Opel Car Rental
• 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 in St Martin are not metered, the government sets the 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.

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. 

St. Barts – Tel: 05 90 87 10 68 
From St. Bart to St. Martin/ St. Martin to St. Bart. Ferries SXM to St. Barts are available from Marigot.

Charter Boarding Time: 12:00 noon or 6:00 pm (with a Sleep Aboard).  
Briefings: Please watch the online chart briefing before arrival. Any questions can be clarified on base.

The chart briefing covers all you need to know about the cruising area. Use of the VHF radio, how to call for assistance, and more will be covered during the boat briefing on the chart plotter of the boat.

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.

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.

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. 

On the 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 110 volt outlets.

Wi-Fi:

Wi-Fi access is available at the marina lobby only.

*Important: We DO NOT offer Wi-Fi on our boats in St Martin.

We highly recommend you contact your personal phone/internet providers before traveling to see if you can get a reliable connection during your charter.

Complete this official entry form prior to your arrival in St Martin: https://www.entry.sx/

This digital entry form is the official Embarkation Disembarkation (ED) card for traveling to St Martin. 

All travelers residing, transferring, or visiting St Martin are required to fill out this form. This applies to each traveler in a group or family.

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(link sends e-mail) 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. Typically, the departure tax is included in the price of your flight, please check with your airline. Esperance Airport has no departure tax. 

Prices are subject to vary depending on time of year, but here is a general introduction to customs and immigration fees in St Martin. 

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 the 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

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/ (link sends e-mail).

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.

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.

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.

St Martin is generally risk-free of contagious disease.

You are advised to be up-to-date with your Tetanus, Hepatitis 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 (link sends e-mail) for the latest information.

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 (link sends e-mail)

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and permitted locations for swimming can be different and vary. 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

• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.
• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.

Diving is not permitted directly from our yachts under any circumstances. Diving must only take place through reputable, certified dive operators using their own boats and equipment. When snorkeling, the diving flag and buoy should be deployed and visible to all passing nearby. Swim vests should be worn at all times whilst snorkeling. One person should remain out of the water, keeping watch of the others in the water.

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests and Diver Down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of 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 traveling 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.

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.

The Moorings 
Marina Fort-Luis  
Baie de Marigot 
Marigot 97150, Saint Martin

The base is located at Marina Fort-Luis in Marigot, on the French side of the island.

8:30am-4:30pm, 7 days a week during high season. 

Due to Hurricane Season, this destination is closed to charter vacations between September 1st through 30th.

UTC/GMT-4 hours

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

• Restaurants 
• Boutiques 
• Water 
• Electricity 
• Wi-Fi – access available at the marina lobby only.
  *Important: We DO NOT offer Wi-Fi on our boats in St Martin.
• Showers (2 Euro) 
• Laundry (additional cost) 
• Flower shops 
• Many more nearby restaurants and shops
  
  Dock Facilities
• A listing of sites is covered in the chart briefing.

To set sail in St Martin, you need to have a sailing experience of Level 2. This means at least 10 days or 200 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

Our intermediate sailing destinations, Level 2 sailing areas offer a greater challenge for sailors more comfortable on the open water. Enjoy strong winds and longer spells of open water sailing, suitable for more experienced skippers.

A sailing qualification is not mandatory to charter here, but you must demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and ability. If our base staff are not confident in your ability when you arrive, they will arrange for a Moorings skipper to travel with you at your own expense.

Please note: if you are going on a power charter, you’ll be required to hold an officially recognized power license or certificate. Please find the details on our Resumes & Requirements page.

Please ensure you have completed a Sailing Resume or a Power Resume to ensure you have the necessary experience required.

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.

The cruising area includes St. Martin, Anguilla (to the west), and St. Barts (to the southeast). There are over 20 protective anchorages in this area and miles of sandy beaches, as well as beautiful reefs for snorkeling, diving, and exploring. The sailing distance between the islands is about 2-4 hours.

Several zones in The Caribbean have been restricted by The Moorings for the client’s security. These are reviewed in the briefing and include:

• The dock in Gustavia, except briefly for water only – you may only briefly go on the dock in Gustavia for water only.
• Oyster Pond due to hurricane damage 
• Saba and Barbuda without checking with Customer Service
• East coast of Antigua; parts of St. Barts; Anguilla (limited number of anchorages; areas on East coast of St. Martin
• Northwest coast of Nevis
• Pinel Island 
• Montserrat Island

It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require two persons minimum on board.

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.

Night Sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all our locations.

Cruising permits are not required in St. Martin.

Moorings Fees & Taxes

Tintamarre: $3 USD per person, per day. Payable in cash only to the St. Martin natural parks officials or at the base.
Anse de Colombier & Fourche Island: Fee is now included in the Harbor fee of Gustavia.

• HOMMAGE HOTEL: Nettle Bay close Marigot. 10mn drive from the base.
• GRAND CASE BEACH CLUB: Grand Case. 30mn drive from the base.
• DOMAINE DE LONGVILLIERS: Anse Marcel. 40mn drive from the base.
• LA SAMANNA BELMOND: Terres Basses.

• HOLLAND HOUSE: Philipsburg. 45mn from Marigot.
• MARRIOT DAWN BEACH: 45mn from Marigot.
• MARY’S BOON: Simpson Bay beach.
• ATRIUM HOTEL: Simpson Bay. 10mn from the international airport and 20mn from Marigot and the base.

Banking Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Bank hours depend on the individual back. On the French side, banks are closed Wednesday afternoons. On the Dutch side, banks usually close at 2 or 3pm. 

ATMs: There’s currently limited ATMs available. Please bring the cash you will need for your entire stay as some businesses can only accept cash. In Marigot (French side) clients will find several banks: Banque des Antilles Françaises, Banque Française Commerciale, La Poste, each with an ATM cash dispenser. In Philipsburg (Dutch side) clients will find several banks: Leeward Island Bank, ABN Amro Bank, Nova Scotia, each with an ATM cash dispenser.

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.

• O’Plongeoir – close to the marina 
• The Yacht Club Restaurant – located at the marina 
• L’Arhawak – 5 minute walk from the marina

The Moorings Provisioning
This destination offers the convenience of The Moorings Provisioning Service.

Let The Moorings take all the hassle out of provisioning your yacht with the highest quality beverages, fresh foods, and non-food items. Order complete packages when booking online or over the phone. Or choose to order online from our Online Provisioning Store which also offers all packages and an extensive a la carte inventory. 

We’ll coordinate the details and guarantee that everything is aboard your yacht when you arrive. Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more. Provisioning must be ordered 7 days prior to the start date of the charter for this destination. 

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.

Open daily, closed on Sunday afternoon and holidays on both sides of the island.

Super U: 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi from the marina; Regular full-service grocery store: large selection of fresh produce, canned, frozen, and baked goods. Open from 8AM-8PM Mon-Sat, 8AM-2.45PM Sun. 

Fresh Market: On the Dutch side; Regular full-service grocery store with a wide variety of goods. Open from daily: 8AM-8PM Mon-Sat, 9AM-2PM Sun.

CadisMarket: 10 minutes walking distance downtown. Open daily 7am to 8pm.

Monoprix: 5 minutes driving distance, open 8am to 7pm

Carrefour: On the Dutch side. A regular full-service grocery store with a wide variety of goods, also has a bakery and a deli. Open from: 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 9AM-2PM Sun.

Please note all shops are Duty Free.

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
FAQ: Can I go Horse Riding in St Martin?
Absolutely. Most equestrian centers offer organized rides by the hour or for half of a day.
Ranch Gallion: daily trails and beach rides – +590 690769624

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. 

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.

For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. They will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are able to rent these at the base; please keep in mind that we have limited availability. 

Kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards 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.

For more information, please view our Water Sports Options.

Like all the Caribbean – diving and snorkeling here is magnificent. For scuba diving a licence is required, and we suggest a visit to a nearby center.

Dive Sint Maarten in Phillipsburg, St Maarten
Serial Divers, St Barts

We have a range of fins available in various different sizes. You will find them in cockpit lockers in each yacht. We do have limited children’s sizes therefore we recommend bringing your own to avoid disappointment. Please note that we do not provide snorkeling masks or snorkels onboard.

Can be rented at the base at 60$ per week payable in cash only. No license is required. Ciguatera is a big problem in the Caribbean, so don’t eat any fish you have caught before checking with a local fisherman.

During the winter months (Nov. to Jan) the wind is from the northeast at 15-20 knots. The Christmas winds can produce 25-30 knots for several days at a time. In February the winds move to the east and by June it changes to the southeast at 10-15 knots. 

In September & October, the trade winds are at its weakest and the weather can be less settled. By November the high pressure system around Bermuda starts to stabilize and 15-20 knot breezes become the norm.  

Local seas are “relaxed” seas and generally in the 3-4 foot range. Learn about when the best time to sail in the Caribbean is.

Historical Weather (Averages by month):

In St Martin, the tide range is very small: 12 inches – 18 inches (one to two feet) including the variation of level due to atmospheric pressure and dominant winds.

Clients can obtain the weather situation at any time by listening to the maritime weather forecasts. Weather updates are given hourly during severe weather.

• Weather Fax call 284 496 6900
• ZBVI 780 kHz AM 8:00am daily and up-date every hour on the ½ hour.
• V.H.F. WX 03 (not available in all areas)
• WVWI 1000 Khz AM 7:55 a.m. daily
• FM99 99.5 Mhz AM 7:55 a.m. daily
• WOSO 1030 Khz AM every hour daily

At The Moorings, we’re passionate about preserving the beauty of the oceans we explore. Through Our OCEAN Promise, we’re working to reduce our environmental footprint and support the communities that make each destination so special. From more responsible operations to cleaner cruising practices, sustainability is at the heart of what we do.

You can make a difference too. Before you depart, pack a reusable water bottle, choose to support local businesses, and anchor mindfully to help protect the waters we all enjoy. Small choices make a big impact.

Learn more about Our OCEAN Promise