St Martin
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Saint-Martin.
Also see Sint Maarten - Netherlands
| St Martin
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 Map of St. Martin | |
 Latest News
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| Starting Monday, 27 July 2009, the Sandy Ground Bridge (French side of St Martin) will only open twice a day at 8:15am and 5:30pm (like Sunday schedule), from tomorrow through August. In September, it will be completely closed and will not open as they are dismantling bits to ship off to Guadeloupe for maintenance. |
The island of St. Martin is split between the French Guadeloupe and the Dutch Netherlands Antilles. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries. The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 20 square miles. The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 13 square miles. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as the French side and the Dutch side.
Although this island is owned by two countries, there is no real borderline. There are only monuments and signs that delineate the border. Over 350 years ago the two countries decided that residents of either country could travel across both sides of the border without worrying about any trouble. The two countries live peacefully without difficulties which increases tourism. Any separation is more from separate and dissimilar utilities systems, e.g., power on French side is 250V 50 Hz, while the Netherlands side is 110/120 60 Hz.
The Dutch side is much more heavily developed than the French. There are high rise condominiums and waterfront communities. The language on this side of the island is English and the de facto currency is the US dollar. Note that grocery stores and other local businesses may have prices expressed in Netherlands Antilles Florins (NAF). The US dollar will be gladly accepted at these establishments as well.
The French side consists of the Northern two-thirds of the island. It is governed by the neighboring island of Guadeloupe, and is more European than the Dutch. The native language is French and it has the same guiding laws as France. There are no casinos on the French side. It is less developed than the Dutch side, but contains more of the island's natural wonders. Beauty abounds on the island, with bluffs overlooking pretty harbors, sandy-cliffed beaches or just tranquil rocky coves where fish provide the beauty. Neither country, and side of the island would be able to stand on its own without the other.
Charts
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
Weather
Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
Passages
Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Entrance
Immigration
NOTE: St Martin is part of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe.
- You are allowed a stay of up to 3 months.
- Visas are required by citizens of Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Turkey and Australia, South Africa, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Any non-EU citizen staying longer than three months, needs an extended visa (see the official French website section on Overseas Departments).
Customs
St Martin is a "Duty-Free" territory.
- Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
- PETS - Pets must have a valid Health Certificate, issued by a Veterinarian, dated less than 10 days prior to departure. Dogs and cats need a valid anti-rabies vaccination certificate given at least 30 days prior to arrival St Martin and must have been administered within the previous 12 months).
Fees and Charges
- Check-in fee = Euro 20 (Jan'09)
- Check-out fee = Euro 5 (Jan'09)
- Criusing permit/anchoring fee = 0.35 cents per meter (vessel). (Jan'09)
Health and Security
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Berthing
- Anse Marcel (Port of entry)
- Marigot Bay (Port of entry)
- Oyster Pond (Port of entry)
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Submit Marina details.
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
Facilities
Water
Give details on water for any ports that provides it. If there are no water outlets just enter "None".
If you have the GPS coordinates of a water outlet. Please provide them along with any applicable telephone numbers etc. If you do not have the GPS coordinates, remove the "|lat=" & "|lon=" entries,
Port1 [[St Martin#Port1|Port1]]
Port2 [[St Martin#Port2|Port2]]
Electricity
Give details on electricity outlets for any ports that provides them. If there are no electricity outlets enter "N/A (Not Available)".
If you have the GPS coordinates of the electricity outlet area. Please provide them along with any applicable telephone numbers etc. If you do not have the GPS coordinates, remove the "|lat=" & "|lon=" entries,
Port1 [[St Martin#Port1|Port1]]
Port2 [[St Martin#Port2|Port2]]
Toilets
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Showers
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Laundry
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Garbage
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Supplies
Fuel
Give details on water for any ports or nearby stations that provides it. If there are no fuel pumps in the island just enter "None".
If you have the GPS coordinates of a fuel station. Please provide them along with any applicable telephone numbers etc. If you do not have the GPS coordinates, remove the "|lat=" & "|lon=" entries,
Station1 [[St Martin#Station1|Station1]]
Station2 [[St Martin#Station2|Station2]]
Cooking gas
Give details on cooking gas (Camping Gaz, butane, propane, etc) suppliers. If there are no suppliers in the island just enter "None".
Suplier1 [[St Martin#Suplier1|Suplier1]]
Suplier2 [[St Martin#Suplier2|Suplier2]]
Chandlers
Submit addresses and contact details of chandlers and other marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers. If there not any in the island just enter "None".
Chandler1 [[St Martin#Chandler1|Chandler1]]
Services
Repairs
List repair services. If no or limited repair services are available on the island write "None" or "Limited".
If repairs are included in every port pages, the following line is appropriate, otherwise remove it. Also see each Port.
If repairs are specific ports or by individual mechanics provide specific information as follows:
Yard or Mechanic's name [[St Martin#Yard or Mechanic's name|Yard or Mechanic's name]]
Internet
Are any internet or WiFi connections available in the island? If so where?
Mobile connectivity
Is there mobile telephone signal such as G4, G3, GPRS in the island? How strong is the signal? Are there any blind spots?
Vehicle Rentals
Are cars, motorbikes, and bicycles available for rent? If so give the name, location, tel number of the rental outlets.
Rental establishment [[St Martin#Rental establishment|Rental establishment]]
Provisioning
Give the names and locations of supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, etc..
Store name1 [[St Martin#Store name1|Store name1]]
Store name2 [[St Martin#Store name2|Store name2]]
Transportation
List transportation (local and/or international.)
Eating out
Give the name of recommended restaurant, tavernas, pastry stores, etc.)
- Location1
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Name [[St Martin#Name|Name]]
- Location2
- Name [[St Martin#Name|Name]]
Tourism
History
Give a short history of the island.)
Places to Visit
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
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Names: Lighthouse |
