Description:
This bay is located on the west coast of the island, just north of the Sandy Ground bridge at the northern entrance to the Simpson Bay Lagoon.
Cruiser Highlights:
Cruising guides, apps and happy-hour chitchat can all be good sources of information for sailors in the Caribbean. Tune into the St. Martin Cruiser Net at 07:30 on VHF Channel 10, Monday to Saturday.
Entrance Notes or Cautions:
Small Yellow Buoys mark known wrecks, of which there are many, please use due caution. The Anchorage also gets shallow in places so stick to the marked channel.
Position:
18° 04.03’N, 63° 05.54’W (anchorage)
Next Section: Profile: Clearance
Related to following destinations: Marigot Bay (St. Martin), St. Martin
Port Navigation
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BEWARE Super U in St Martin, We purchased some VERY FRESH ground pork today at Super U in St Martin.
When we got back to the boat we unpacked it, and below the “very fresh red ground meat” it was all grey and a little smelly!!!!!! The had just taken OLD meat and packed it in Fresh meat!!!!
this is 2019!!!! we will be taking it back tomorrow to complain to the manager. Probably will not get ANY Satisfaction but its worth a try. this is again ALL hygiene rules and regulation s “ground Pork, Beef, Lamb” has to be used on the same day as it it purchased. If Super U just takes “old Meat” and packs it in new Fresh meat, so that one cannot see it, this is a scandal.
disgusting.
Reported by the Caribbean Safety & Security Net – 29 May, 2016:
Theft at Marine Port la Royale
An unlocked yacht docked at Port Royale marina was boarded overnight while the crew slept. The crew discovered the theft of cash the next morning. Reports were made to the Port Captain, Police and Marina. When the police reviewed the marina’s video surveillance they found most of the cameras were not operational.
As of April 2016, You can also clear in at Budget Marine (L’Ile Marine) in the Sandy Ground channel into the lagoon. There was no fear charged but the staff suggested making a few euro donations to the SNSM (Sea rescue) in lieu of a fee.
Good tip from Ken Goodings – Caribbean Navigator Facebook Page:
Another daylight dinghy theft in St Martin, French side. Chain used was 3/16 inch stainless, that’s less than a quarter inch or just under 6 mm. Please consider using SS chain at least 8-10 mm or 5/16 – 1/2 inch. Heavier SS chain is perhaps just plain less prone to quickie thefts, especially in daylight with people around.
Dinghy stole Sunday between 4-6pm. Ferry dock Marigot. Chained and locked to dock with a heavy chain. 11′ AB, 15HP motor. Blue canvas cover on the motor.
Reported by SY Sundancer:
This morning (13 Jan), two Gendarmes came to my boat and others in Nettle Bay (French west end of the lagoon) by kayak. I didn’t see if they came from or continued toward other parts.
They asked for no documentation, but only wanted to warn of increased crime in the area, especially at night, and to lock our dinghy to the boat. Ours hangs from davits, but they recommended we use cable and lock in addition as thieves would just cut the lines.
They mentioned that one of our boat neighbours recently saw some activity on its security camera (I didn’t get specifics). Also, as always, secure the doors when sleeping or away and don’t leave valuables lying around within easy reach.
Posted on behalf of Lisa Torkelson – 4 January 2016:
I just checked in today at the Marina Port La Royale’s Capitanerie. Unlike Noonsite’s Nov 2015 update, there still is a working Customs computer and I used it today as in the past. The change is that only marina guests and those anchored just beyond the mooring balls can check in there (choose ‘LAGON de Marigot’ on the clearance port).
Anchoring near Cadisco is in this zone, but it wasn’t clear how far this extends. The fee is 7.80 Euros. Otherwise, you’re supposed to go to the ferry terminal (where the fees are higher I understand). I don’t know if Ft Louis’ jurisdiction covers Marigot Bay or other areas, but they charged us $20 to leave a couple of years ago.
The confirmed hours of Port La Royale’s Capitanerie are 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Yes, the whole process for clearing in changed mid-November, and they are slowly streamlining the process. Currently, the opening hours listed are 8-12, 2-4. You do have to wait outside, but the office has two terminals and he will allow two boats to clear at the same time. The is a covered shade area outside the door, depending on the angle of the sun.
Unfortunately, the port officer in charge of the clearance at this time is very unpleasant to deal with, and clearly does not like to have to deal with cruisers in addition to his other workload! Hopefully, this will change in the future, in the meantime, “kill him with kindness” and the process goes smooth enough, and takes about 20-30 min/boat. We had fees of 25 euro upon arrival, the .25 euro/meter/day payable upon departure.
Important to have euros to pay as he can not accept any other currency. Money changers and ATM just minutes walk away from the Gare Maritime.
English is widely spoken around town, and currently, much local business’s accept the US or Euro on a 1-1 exchange. Big Super U market nearby, and busses to the Dutch side leave frequently from Marigot 2euro/person, takes about 20 min into Simpson Baie, another 10 into Phillipsburg. Crime seems to be more under control, with a strong police presence in the harbour area, but normal precautions should be applied, especially with your dinghy.
Travis and Joanne
SV Calico Jack
An update on my comment below made yesterday.
The ferry dock is the “Gare Maritime”. I went there in the morning, but no one showed up inside an hour of the opening time. So I had to go again in the afternoon after lunchtime.
After knocking on the door, the harbour official said the premises were fully occupied. Even if there was ample space in the air-conditioned hallway, sailors have to stay outside in the sun. “Security reasons”.
After a long wait, it was my turn. I did, of course, ask why no one was there in the morning. The guy managing clearances were too busy at other places, he said. So do not expect opening hours to be real.
There is a new computer system introduced, different enough from the old system to confuse most cruisers. So clearance data takes a lot of time to fill in.
According to the official, Gare Maritime is the only place to do clearance – unless you are staying in the Fort Louis Marina. No explanation why. So expect queues for clearance for a while.
The good news is that the new system is now on the web. It can be done on your own computer via creating a password, but printing out at the harbour is mandatory.
Why they haven’t published that on the office door is probably that they do not care much about your time. Anyway, this is the web address: http://clairance.portdemarigot.com/.
If people manage to use this, I guess queues will be shorter. At least when the office is open.
Visited the usual Marina Port La Royale office to do my clearance Nov 25 2015. They no longer have the Customs clearance facilities. I was told to clear in at the ferry dock.