A Saint Martin Advantage
Guaranteed Airlift and Capacity
Saint Martin is one of the most easily accessible islands in all the Caribbean.
Direct non-stop flights are available from Europe, departing both Paris and Amsterdam. Non-stop flights from the U.S. are scheduled from New York, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Newark, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. Canadians access the SXM airport with non-stop service from Montreal and Toronto. Connecting flights through Panama serve Latin and South America. One-stop service is available from virtually anywhere in the world.
"When asked to identify the current issues of critical interest to hoteliers, the banks and non-bank communities were consistent in their views. Airlift was again identified as the most critical issue cited by 88% of bank respondents and 100% of non-bank respondents."
– KPMG Caribbean Hospitality Financing Survey
As the major Caribbean Hub Airport, SXM provides air service from/to: Panama, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Port au Prince, St. Thomas, Anguilla, St. Barths, St. Kitts, Saba, St. Eustatius, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, Antigua, Curacao, Tortola, Trinidad, and Guadeloupe.
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is located on the Dutch side of the Island and is a quick 15-minute drive to the property. Annual capacity is 2.5 million passengers. Following Hurricane Irma, which hit the island on September 6, 2017, the commercial air terminal was recently rebuilt, representing a capital expenditure of $100+ million USD.
A new General Aviation terminal, serving private jets, was completed in 2021. The FBO building is an upscale facility catering to passengers who travel privately. Not only does the FBO building set SXM apart as an airport, but it also hints at St. Maarten's understanding of the value private jet travelers deliver to island commerce. St. Maarten handles hundreds of private and corporate jets every year, with a peak during the Holiday season.
The United States represents the largest tourist market for SXM, accounting for approximately 50% of total passengers. Other Caribbean islands add about 30% of passengers, Canada 5%, with the balance arriving from Europe, and South America.
High-Style Travel: Mega Yachts
The traditional peak yachting season in the Caribbean runs from November to May and is largely popular with American’s and Canadian’s looking to escape cold winter weather. Igy’s Yacht Club at Isle De Sol features the ability to host 97.5M (320 Ft.) mega yachts making it the ideal location for high-style travel.
Families visiting the Caribbean cruise throughout the year.
Whether the Captain’s needs are repairs and maintenance, chef-friendly provisioning, secure anchorage during a storm, or simply a convenient location for owners and charter guests to meet their yacht for a Caribbean cruise, the island is a well-known and favorite port.
Located steps away from the sights and sounds of Marigot, the capital city of St. Martin, Marina Fort-Louis offers 150 berths for mega yachts up to 80M (260 Ft.). Saint Martin’s Anse Marcel Marina was conceived to offer high-end service in a lush environment, with views looking toward Anguilla. The marina is recognized as a safe haven, offering protection during storms. It features 125 quayside and alongside berths for vessels up to 27M (88 Ft.).
In Dutch St Maarten, IGY’s Simpson Bay Marina features 122 slips and accommodates vessels up to 58M (190 Ft.).
The marina sits at the epicenter of the Dutch side’s most complete residential and commercial marine center. This extensive development is hugely popular, with over 100 villas, 50 shops and offices, several restaurants, and a nearby collection of beautiful island beaches. IGY’s Yacht Club at Isle De Sol, is the island’s top club, exclusively designed for mega yacht’s, owners, and crew. With impressive facilities, and highly secure, the marina is ideally situated near the Simpson Bay Bridge. It offers dock space for 40 mega yachts up to 97M (320 Ft.). On premises is National Marine Suppliers, specializing in chandlery and supply, with the ability to order marine products and parts as necessary from anywhere in the world. The Yacht Club Port de Plaisance is a full-service mixed-use marina, again located at Simpson Bay Lagoon, and caters to visiting yachts up to 76M (250 Ft.).
Sint Maarten has become one of the Caribbean region’s premiere service centers for professionally crewed yachts. Popular among captains, due to the proximity of high-quality technical services for yacht maintenance, repair, and refit. There is an ample supply of marine tradesmen, including technicians, electricians, refrigeration-air conditioning specialists, as well as skilled day workers.
World Class Port – Cruise Ships
On the French side, the Port of Marigot is the heart of this capital city.
It is also where ferries depart daily to Anguilla (30 minutes) and St. Barths (90 minutes). Most large cruise ships dock in Philipsburg, at the Port of Sint Maarten on the Dutch side. The Port can handle six behemoth vessels simultaneously. Cruise passenger traffic brings two million tourists each year to the island. Port officials’ head counts were down for 2020-2021 due to Covid travel restrictions. Expectations are for a stable off-season and strong resurgence of travelers for the 2022-2023 cruise season. The Port of St. Maarten is considered one of the most modern port facilities in the Caribbean and plays an important role in island commerce.