Simpson bay marinas

[pugwash60]

I’m planning on arriving in the Caribbean at St Maarten, stocking up and carrying onwards to Cuba, any recommendations for marinas around Simpson Bay?

 

[capnsensible]

Try Island Water World in Cole Bay. Not too far from a big Carrefour.

 

[pugwash60]

Thanks but, I should have mentioned, Im 2.4m draught so dont think I’ll float there.

 

[snowleopard]

We spent a few weeks in the lagoon, at anchor. Why do you need a marina?

 

[john_morris_uk]

We’re in the lagoon atm. (Although back in UK for a few days over Christmas). 2.4m draft might be a bit of a challenge for lots of places alongside but one of the super yacht docks will accommodate you (at a price!) Port de Plaisance or the docks off Isle de Sol? Then a taxi to Carrefour?

 

[harvey38]

Ditto Sensible.

Lagoon then only a short taxi ride to the very well stocked supermarket at Cole Bay. If you're at SXM for any length of time and fancy a dive trip, friends of ours operate Ocean Explorers on Simpson Bay, a very professional outfit.

 

[capnsensible]

There is a downside to spending time in the lagoon at anchor. Its very rich in nutrients being rain washed off the hills. The stuff that grows on your hull and especially your propellor does so at an amazing speed. We spent a few weeks at anchor off the old Snoopy Island, now the reformed superyacht marina. The water is soup coloured so didn't realise until we engaged fwd gear and could barely move. Prop like a furry football. A friend of ours dived on it and got us moving. When he surfaced, his wetsuit was covered in hundreds of tiny leeches. An eek moment. That got us moving.....missed the bridge opening so had to wait till next day. Got moaned at having cleared out day before and didn't go.
Went out to anchorage outside bridge. Dinghy back to clear in again whilst we spent a day cleaning hull properly. Then cleared out. These things take time and aren't in the glossy brochures!

Despite the snags, we both really enjoyed both bits of St Maarten/Martin and had a ball. Went back several other times and anchored outside lagoon and off Philipsburg.

 

[john_morris_uk]

There is a downside to spending time in the lagoon at anchor. Its very rich in nutrients being rain washed off the hills. The stuff that grows on your hull and especially your propellor does so at an amazing speed. We spent a few weeks at anchor off the old Snoopy Island, now the reformed superyacht marina. The water is soup coloured so didn't realise until we engaged fwd gear and could barely move. Prop like a furry football. A friend of ours dived on it and got us moving. When he surfaced, his wetsuit was covered in hundreds of tiny leeches. An eek moment. That got us moving.....missed the bridge opening so had to wait till next day. Got moaned at having cleared out day before and didn't go.
Went out to anchorage outside bridge. Dinghy back to clear in again whilst we spent a day cleaning hull properly. Then cleared out. These things take time and aren't in the glossy brochures!

Despite the snags, we both really enjoyed both bits of St Maarten/Martin and had a ball. Went back several other times and anchored outside lagoon and off Philipsburg.

Thanks for the tip. We have to come back to the UK again at the end of Feb for the birth of another grandchild (it’s going to be by C section and so and daughter-in-law law need help and support for a few weeks). We were thinking of leaving Serendipity on the mooring in the lagoon again, but you’ve given me second thoughts and we might choose Antigua as it’s also got direct flights back to the UK.

I’ll see what the hull and prop is like when we go back out on the 31st.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Thanks for the tip. We have to come back to the UK again at the end of Feb for the birth of another grandchild (it’s going to be by C section and so and daughter-in-law law need help and support for a few weeks). We were thinking of leaving Serendipity on the mooring in the lagoon again, but you’ve given me second thoughts and we might choose Antigua as it’s also got direct flights back to the UK.

I’ll see what the hull and prop is like when we go back out on the 31st.

I would have thought that leaving your boat at anchor while you are 3,000 miles away is risking theft. Surely it is worth the peace of mind to haul out even for a short excursion.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I would have thought that leaving your boat at anchor while you are 3,000 miles away is risking theft. Surely it is worth the peace of mind to haul out even for a short excursion.

I don’t worry about leaving our boat on it’s mooring in Portsmouth harbour. Why should I overly worry about leaving it in the lagoon at St Martin.

It’s in a mooring not left on it’s anchor.

 

[Wandering Star]

………. The water is soup coloured so didn't realise until we engaged fwd gear and could barely move. Prop like a furry football……….

What type of soup? Tomato = red, Oxtail = brown, Pea = green, I think you need to be more specific.

 

[capnsensible]

What type of soup? Tomato = red, Oxtail = brown, Pea = green, I think you need to be more specific.

What colour do you think the lagoon water will be from the run off from tropical hills? I bet you can guess.

 

[snowleopard]

There is a downside to spending time in the lagoon at anchor. Its very rich in nutrients being rain washed off the hills. The stuff that grows on your hull and especially your propellor does so at an amazing speed. We spent a few weeks at anchor off the old Snoopy Island, now the reformed superyacht marina. The water is soup coloured so didn't realise until we engaged fwd gear and could barely move. Prop like a furry football. A friend of ours dived on it and got us moving. When he surfaced, his wetsuit was covered in hundreds of tiny leeches. An eek moment. That got us moving.....missed the bridge opening so had to wait till next day. Got moaned at having cleared out day before and didn't go.
Went out to anchorage outside bridge. Dinghy back to clear in again whilst we spent a day cleaning hull properly. Then cleared out. These things take time and aren't in the glossy brochures!

Despite the snags, we both really enjoyed both bits of St Maarten/Martin and had a ball. Went back several other times and anchored outside lagoon and off Philipsburg.

Yup, same here. A good inch of growth - Coppercoat didn't help - A couple of hours with snorkel and scraper got most of it off. And yes, lots of tiny creatures all over me, so itchy!!