The island is divided between two separate jurisdictions — Dutch Sint Maarten, an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and French Saint-Martin, an Overseas Collectivity of France within the European Union. The border runs roughly east to west through the middle of the island. There are no passport or customs checks when crossing by road — the border is marked by a monument on the main road and nothing more.
Understanding the difference matters practically for getting work done and day-to-day life aboard — but less than many cruising guides suggest. Both sides have skilled tradespeople and well-equipped marine businesses. The choice of which side to base yourself on comes down to the specific work you need done, your boat's dimensions, where you prefer to anchor, and how you like to live.
Both sides are duty-free
This is one of SXM's most significant advantages as a place to get boat work done — and it applies equally to both sides.
A free port. No import duty on marine parts and equipment. Regular container ships from Florida mean US-sourced goods arrive frequently and reliably.
EU overseas collectivity with the same duty-free status. EU goods from France, Germany, the Netherlands, or anywhere in Europe can be shipped in VAT-free. Regular ships operate from France.
Neither side imposes customs duty on imported marine goods. See the Shipping Parts to SXM guide → for full detail on ordering from the US and Europe.
Trades and marine businesses
Both sides have skilled, experienced tradespeople across all major marine disciplines. The quality of work available is high on both sides — the reviews in this directory will give you the best current picture of individual contractors. Choose the contractor, not the side.
- Significantly higher concentration of superyachts and the facilities to support them
- Largest travelifts on the island — The MegaYard (150-ton) and Bobby's Philipsburg
- Budget Marine and Island Water World — the island's two largest chandleries by stock range
- Simpson Bay Bridge dimensions (17 m beam, 6 m draft) suit larger vessels
- Smaller, more specialist trades — certain canvas makers, composites specialists, and riggers
- Access to French-sourced parts via the regular France shipping connection
- Île Marine at Sandy Ground and Island Water World in Marigot — well-stocked chandleries near the French lagoon bridge
- JMC, TOBY, Polypat, and Geminga boatyards on the French lagoon side
Superyachts and larger vessels
The Dutch side is the operational centre for superyachts in SXM. The Simpson Bay Bridge gives access to the Dutch-side lagoon marinas — Isle de Sol, Palapa, Skyport, Simpson Bay Marina — all with superyacht infrastructure and the MegaYard's 150-ton lift.
The Sandy Ground Bridge (approximately 10 m wide, 3.3 m draft) cannot accommodate most superyachts. Anse Marcel is accessible without a bridge transit but marine services infrastructure is limited compared to the lagoon. Dock Maarten and Bobby's in Great Bay offer superyacht berthing without any bridge transit on the Dutch side.
Voltage — an important practical note
The two sides run on different electrical systems. This matters for shore power and for any electrical equipment you buy locally.
| Dutch side | French side | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 110V / 60Hz | 220–240V / 50Hz |
| Same as | United States, most of the Caribbean | Continental Europe |
- Shore power: Check the voltage at the marina before plugging in. Most modern battery chargers and inverter/chargers auto-switch between 110V and 240V — but confirm your equipment is rated for both before connecting.
- Buying tools locally: Dutch-side items will be 110V; French-side items will be 240V. Know which voltage your boat uses before you buy.
- US equipment: 110V — works directly on the Dutch side. French side needs a step-down transformer or run from your inverter.
- European equipment: 240V — works directly on the French side. Dutch side needs a step-up transformer.
Currency
Official currency: Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAf / ANG). US dollars are the most widely used currency in practice and accepted almost everywhere.
Official currency: Euro (€). US dollars are widely accepted, though change may be given in euros. Card payment is generally reliable at larger establishments.
Provisioning
- Le Grand Marché, Cole Bay — large, well-stocked, 10–15 min walk from Simpson Bay marinas. Best all-round option on the Dutch side.
- Cost U Less, Bush Road — good for bulk items and US-brand goods.
- Fish market, Simpson Bay Bridge — fresh fish, a local institution. Convenient for lagoon boats.
- Super U and Leader Price, Hope Estate — the best provisioning on the island for variety and price. Requires transport — not walkable from the lagoon.
- Super U, Marigot — more convenient if you're already in town for other errands.
- Marigot market — Wednesday and Saturday mornings for fresh fish and produce. Come early. Outside these days, much of the market is tourist-oriented.
Dining and entertainment
- Wide range of restaurants, bars, and beach clubs around Simpson Bay, Maho, and Cole Bay
- Lagoonies Bistro & Bar at Lagoon Marina — popular with the cruising community, good happy hour and live music
- Casino gambling available on the Dutch side
- Maho Beach near the airport is lively at sunset — aircraft approach very low over the beach
- Grand Case — the island's culinary destination. One main street lined with restaurants from simple lolos (local charcoal BBQ, excellent and inexpensive) to high-end French and Creole dining. Worth at least one evening.
- Marigot waterfront — genuinely French character, pavement cafés, boutique shops. Good for sunset drinks.
Shopping
- Philipsburg Front Street — main duty-free strip (jewellery, electronics, watches, rum). Primarily cruise ship oriented.
- Marine: Budget Marine and Island Water World, Cole Bay
- Hardware: Ace Hardware and Kooyman
- Marigot — French boutiques, local craft stalls, and the covered market. More interesting variety than Philipsburg.
- Marine: Island Water World and Île Marine, Marigot
- Hardware: Home n Tools and Grand Maison
Getting around the island
Minivans run regularly between Simpson Bay and Marigot and serve other parts of the island. Fare: $2 for the full route, $1.50 for a shorter section. Journey time Simpson Bay–Marigot: approximately 20–30 minutes. No published timetables — flag one down on the main road and pay the driver. Frequent during the day; less reliable in the evenings.
Available island-wide but can be hard to find — most wait at designated taxi stands. Fixed-rate fares between major points (airport, marinas, Marigot, Philipsburg, Grand Case) are officially published and posted at stands. Always confirm the fare before you get in. If you find a reliable driver, keep their number and call them directly. Ask other cruisers for recommendations.
Particularly useful if you are doing work across both sides and need to move tools, parts, or supplies. Several rental companies near the airport and in Simpson Bay. An international driving licence may be required — check with the rental company. Rates from approximately $50/day. Traffic can be heavy around the airport and on the Simpson Bay–Marigot road at peak times.
Within the lagoon, the dinghy is your most practical transport — to the chandlery, to a restaurant on the other side, to the marina laundry. Most marinas and many restaurants have dinghy docks. Lock your dinghy and engine when leaving them unattended. There are no scheduled water taxi services between anchorages or marinas on SXM.
Practical for shorter distances near the marinas. Some main roads are busy and the island has significant hills — the terrain is not flat. The flatter sections around the lagoon area are most manageable for errands. Trail running and biking routes: trisportsxm.com/runride.html
Which side to base yourself
- Your vessel is over 10 m beam or 3 m draft — can't transit the Sandy Ground Bridge
- You need the 150-ton lift at The MegaYard or Bobby's Philipsburg
- You are ordering parts primarily from the US
- You want the widest choice of marina facilities and berth sizes
- You prefer the lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Simpson Bay area
- Your boat fits through the Sandy Ground Bridge and you prefer a quieter, more French atmosphere
- Your primary work involves trades or specialists based on the French side
- You are sourcing parts or equipment from Europe
- Provisioning quality and the Marigot market matter to you
- You want Grand Case on your doorstep for evenings out
For most cruising yachts doing typical repair and maintenance work, either side will serve you well. Many cruisers who base themselves on the Dutch side for the practicalities make regular trips to the French side for the pleasure — and vice versa.