Received From: Michele Cutler

SV Irony of London

Message:

Having just visited Sint Maarten we would recommend cruisers to avoid the Dutch side.

Not only do you pay to go through the bridge ($60 for our 16m boat) but you also pay to anchor inside and outside of the lagoon. The cost is a weekly one ($40 for our boat), no daily rates. We were also charged a $7 admin fee to check out.

On top of that, we had the authorities visit our boat twice while we were anchored – they boarded the boat in black boots, leaving marks all over our paintwork, and inspected not only paperwork but flares etc.

In contrast, we found everyone friendly, helpful and welcoming on the French side. There is a minimal fee of 5 euros to check in and another 5 euros to check out.

If checking in to French St. Martin go to the Captainerie at Marina Port Royale. There one can check in by computer for 5 euros and another 5 euros to check out. Apparently the office at the ferry terminal tries to charge 20 euros.