St Martin Marinas

[GhostChaser]

Hi,

Hoping someone could provide a recommendation for a good/safe/cost effective marina in St Martin.

Am looking to leave my catamaran there for 10 days over the xmas period.

Cheers

[MarkJ]

Simpson bay marina and Lagoon Marina, both on the Dutch side in the lagoon. Lagoon marina is cheaper so if you are just leaving it then thats fine. If you are staying abord working on it Lagoon marina is better too...
But for a nicer marina life then Simpson Bay Marina is nicer.

[GordMay]

St Martin/Maarten Marinas ➥ Complete St Martin Marinas | St Maarten Marinas Information

[dohenyboy]

you will find the Phillipsburg marinas to be uglier, less convenient and cheaper.

[hogHunter]

You can also go in the French entrance to Simpson bay (this doesn't cost any money to enter the French side). Be sure to follow a boat with a deeper draft and that appears to know what he's doing. This is a tricky, tricky, tricky entrance. PM me if you have questions....
You can throw a couple of hooks out and pay a local (there is quite the liveaboard community here and very friendly!) to keep an eye on your boat. That's a less expensive option. Though fair warning, Christmas time in St. Martin brings the Christmas winds. They can be up in the 40-40 knot range. We thought we were dug in good enough to last through a hurricane one day a few days after Christmas in Simpson Bay in St. Martin and we drug in a 42 knot breeze... a little close to our neighbors to be comfy. Had to redrop... fun times!

[raphaella]

We left Raphaella at Capitain Olivers and were satisfied, well protected and best of all, NOTHING STOLEN, while friends in the lagoon were robbed even their linnen!


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[Andy R]

Just a word of encouragement for those who have been to contribute to the open source Cruisers Wiki on St Martin. The page is kind of light, we could use some experienced sailors who know the area to champion and help make it a better resource for others. Here is a link:
St Martin - a Cruising Guide on the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki

[Catopia]

Is Port Royale a good option for a 45' cat. Need to make a crew change around Xmas and would prefer to be in a Marina.

How are the marinas in St Martin after Gonzalo?


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[Zanshin]

Port la Royale probably won't have a dock space for a '45 cat open during season, but they have a large number of moorings where you'd go fore-and-aft and be only a couple of hundred feet by dinghy from the docks. Friends of mine spent a long time there and liked it. During the day there's a fair amount of dinghy traffic (less bothersome to a cat than a monohull) but at night it will be fine. Clearing in and out of the French side is done at the Capitainerie there.

The other marina in Marigot is on the outside of the bridge, Marina Fort Louis, and they will have space for a '45 cat somewhere between the eclectic mix of megayachts and sailboats at the docks. The prices aren't cheap, but aren't too bad. It is just a short hop to the centre-ville from there.

I have to admit that I spend a lot of time anchored just outside of the breakwater of that marina and sometimes, when the wind is howling, I'd prefer to be on the inside.

[neilpride]

Originally Posted by Catopia

Is Port Royale a good option for a 45' cat. Need to make a crew change around Xmas and would prefer to be in a Marina.

How are the marinas in St Martin after Gonzalo?


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Its really busy but you can call to the office and ask, Port Louis outisde is a better option, , no bridge croosing and easy docking and nice for crew in or out, after Gonzalo the marinas are ok, Port Louis get lots of dock cleats blow out but they are working on it right now , the marina dont suffer any damage and is redy for the season...Cheers...

[Catopia]

Thank you


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[Palarran]

Originally Posted by raphaella

We left Raphaella at Capitain Olivers and were satisfied, well protected and best of all, NOTHING STOLEN, while friends in the lagoon were robbed even their linnen!


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+1

We really liked it there and safety wasn't an issue.

[SVAspen]

Our friends left their 50' cat at Port de Plaisance Marina and there were no problems. It is well protected too since it is inside the lagoon.