PORT ST. MAARTEN PORT ST. MAARTEN CATERS TO GIGA YACHTS

St. Maarten has developed into one of the Caribbean’s premier yachting destinations, hosting some of the most exclusive and luxurious vessels in the world as well as having a thriving long-term and stopover cruising sector.

The main facilities for yachts are in Simpson Bay Lagoon, in the west of the island. The national frontier passes through the lagoon, which has both Dutch and French sides. The Dutch side includes most of the major marinas and a wide range of service companies and suppliers.

Yachting is regarded as a major growth area and the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) has plans to further market and expand this sector. The SLAC is a subsidiary of the Port St. Maarten Group of Companies with responsibility for the lagoon and the John Sainsborough Lejuez Bridge, which spans the only channel in Dutch St. Maarten between the lagoon and the sea.

There is a packed sailing program all year round organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, the principal event being the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, which brings together yachts of all sizes from across the region for a week of competitive racing.