Winter Finale

We’re back in St Martin enjoying the company of guests and doing some of our favorite Saint Martin and Sint Maarten things as well as making new discoveries. I’m being extra appreciative since I know my Caribbean winter is coming to a close. Although not my favorite Caribbean island because it’s not as “native” feeling, you can’t help but love all the comforts of St Martin; duty free shopping and stores for just about anything you can need or want including boat stuff, bakeries & restaurants (especially the French side) and bars & nightlife (especially the Dutch side). Plus you get the two-countries-in-one feeling by just taking a dingy ride through the lagoon or jumping in a taxi.
Simply stated, St Martin is a small slice of Europe surrounded by sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters.

Sint Maarten’s Increased Fees

The dramatic increase in fees on the Dutch side has taken everyone by surprise. This includes an increase in harbor fees payable whether staying inside or outside the lagoon and bridge openings.

Simpson Bay or Simpson Bay Lagoon Harbor Fees
Cost per week or portion of a week for boats is:
$20 USD 8 – 13 meters in length
$40 USD 13 - 18 meters in length
$60 USD 18 - 23 meters in length (and so on)

Vessels Entering the Lagoon
Special openings $1,000 USD.
$10 USD 9 – 12 meters in length
$30 USD 12 – 15 meters in length
$60 USD 15 – 18 meters in length
$120 USD 18 – 22 meters in length
$200 USD 22 – 28 meters in length (and so on)

Additional Fees
Based on tonnage:
Customs clearance fee $2 - $9 USD
Harbor clearance fee $5 - $20

Another change worth mentioning is that the Coast Guard has been enforcing the 5mph speed limit in the lagoon. (Another form of entertainment best viewed from the St Maarten Yacht Club.)

By the way, there are no fees on the French side when staying outside the lagoon and we found the anchorages to be more comfortable.

Grand Case, St Martin

We took the boat around the corner to Grand Case to bring in the New Year with our Tasmanian cruising friends. Grand Case is a small town known for its numerous restaurants, most along the beach rimmed waterfront. Since the start of 2008 we've been going back and forth from Grand Case Bay where the waters are calmer and clearer for swimming off the boat (my favorite part of being in the Caribbean) and Marigot Bay where we have dinghy access to the boat chandleries along Simpson Bay Lagoon on the Dutch side.