It is time to leave our lovely anchorage in St.Barts and continue our journey North.
The next island we planned to visit was Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.
This small Caribbean Island is divided between the Dutch, in the South and the French, in the North.
Before we go to a new island we use sailing guides and fellow cruisers so decide where the best place to anchor is. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is a little confusing and everyone has an opinion where is best.
If we want to be close to the marine trades, it turns out we need to be in or near Simpson Bay Lagoon, in the centre of the West side of the island.
To get into the Lagoon you can pass through swing bridges on either the Dutch or the French sides of the island. As we are coming from the South, passing through the Dutch side seems the most obvious option.
But………
The Dutch charge for entry through their side of the Lagoon, while entry on the French side is free. The Dutch also charge you to anchor on their side of the Lagoon while it is free to anchor on the French side.
But………
We hear the channel on the French side is very shallow and difficult to navigate into the Lagoon and also the holding is not very good on the French side. You wonder if it is worth the safety of your boat to save a few dollars.
But…….
We hear the water inside the Lagoon is not very clean. Do we really want to go kayaking and swimming in everyone’s poo. Remember I am a dog here. I don’t bother with ‘No dogs allowed’ signs. Do you think I am going to pay attention to ‘No swimming’ signs? Maybe it is best if we anchor just outside the Lagoon in one of the bays. Simpson Bay, on the Dutch South side is closest to the Marine Trade centre.
But……
The Dutch charge for anchoring in Simpson Bay. We hear the French also charge for anchoring in Marigot Bay, but rarely enforce it.
But……
We hear both anchorages can be rolly. If fact, if the winds shift the wrong way, they can be so rough they are untenable. You want to be able to go into the Lagoon if the winds shift.
But…..
Before we left we heard the French bridge was broken. They are unsure when the parts will be in and the bridge fixed.
So….
We decided to try and anchor on the Dutch side, Simpson Bay. We pay the weekly harbour fee, but we are much closer to the shops, so we will save that on petrol for the outboard engine. If it gets too rolly, we will pop into the Lagoon and anchor on the Dutch side.
I have not gotten may pictures of the island to share with you yet. The two days we have been here the humans have been consumed in tracking down marine trade stores and getting quotes for materials. They have an alternator that needs rebuilding, they have learned they do not have the right pulley ratio on the engine and they are eyeing up more solar panels.
The ‘duty free’ status of the island makes parts and materials very economical, but between boat projects we also need to find the time to ‘see’ the island.
We have not got long to remain here as we need to get North to the BVIs (British Virgin Islands) to meet company.
