Simpson Bay's superyacht marinas, the sweep of Great Bay and the liveliest strip in the islands — the Dutch side is where Caribbean yachting comes to work and play.
If the French side is about flavor, the Dutch side is about horsepower. Simpson Bay Lagoon hosts one of the Caribbean's deepest superyacht infrastructures — Simpson Bay Marina, the 5-Gold-Anchor Yacht Club Isle de Sol (berths to roughly 320 ft) and Port de Plaisance — wrapped in a lively strip of restaurants and bars.
From the water, the Dutch side also shows a softer face: the long curve of Simpson Bay beach, Mullet Bay's pale sand, the cliffs toward Maho, and the broad sweep of Great Bay in front of Philipsburg.
Most Dutch-side charters begin around Simpson Bay. Inside the bridge, the lagoon's marinas offer fuel, provisioning and sheltered berthing; outside it, the bay itself is a beautiful open-water cruising ground with the town's beach strip along its edge.
Bridge openings run on a published schedule and captains time arrivals and departures around them. For full details on every departure option — French and Dutch — see our marinas & departure points guide.
Tell us your date and group size — we will confirm the right yacht and the most convenient Simpson Bay-area pickup.
Dutch Sint Maarten is the island's engine room: the superyacht marinas of Simpson Bay Lagoon, the capital Philipsburg on Great Bay, Maho's famous plane-watching beach and most of the nightlife. It is livelier and more commercial than the French side — and the two combine beautifully in one charter day.
Simpson Bay Marina, Yacht Club Isle de Sol and Port de Plaisance all serve the Simpson Bay Lagoon area, with facilities for yachts from day boats to superyachts of around 320 ft. Yacht Club Isle de Sol is a 5-Gold-Anchor facility that has been voted among the world's favorite marinas.
Simpson Bay is the most common Dutch-side departure area, with deep infrastructure for fuel, provisioning and guest pickup. The lagoon is accessed through the Simpson Bay Bridge on a published opening schedule; your captain manages bridge timing. The exact pickup point is confirmed with your quotation.
Philipsburg fronts Great Bay — a long sandy beach backed by a boardwalk, duty-free shopping and the cruise port. A coastal cruise past Great Bay gives you the capital from its best angle, and beach or lunch stops can be planned where practical.
Mullet Bay is one of the Dutch side's most beautiful beaches — a long crescent beside the golf course. In settled conditions it makes a lovely swim stop on a coastal itinerary; your captain judges the day's swell.
Maho Beach sits at the end of the airport runway and is famous for low-arriving aircraft. It is primarily a shore attraction; from the water you may see the approaches on a west-coast cruise. We do not promise specific aircraft activity.
Very much — the west-facing coastline around Simpson Bay catches the evening light, and a sunset cruise that ends back at the lagoon is one of the most requested Dutch-side experiences. See our sunset cruises page for details.
Sint Maarten has full port formalities for yachts, and marinas such as Yacht Club Isle de Sol assist with clearance. If your charter involves international movement — for example starting in St. Barts and ending in Sint Maarten — customs and immigration requirements are verified with the operator before booking.
Oyster Pond, on the island's east coast straddling the border, is a sheltered bay; facilities and operations there have varied in recent years, so we treat it as a conditional stop and confirm what is practical at the time of your inquiry.
Yes — Anguilla is a short run north from the island, and St. Barts is a longer southeast passage. Many guests depart Simpson Bay, visit Anguilla's cays and return, or book a one-way route. Route-specific fuel and clearances are confirmed in the written quotation.
