The Simpson Bay Bridge is the main gateway for ships into the Simpson Bay Lagoon, St Maarten’s famed natural harbor and home to a large nautical industry from rigging to chandlery.
Though the bridge might seem small compared to its (way younger) sister the Simpson Bay Lagoon Causeway Bridge, it has held a way more important function in St Maarten History. Until the bridge (and the road to Philipsburg along Harold Jack) were built, the old fishing village of Simpson Bay was only connected by sea to the rest of Dutch side St Maarten. Over time, the bridge had a vital function in developing the Simpson Bay, Maho, Cupecoy and Princess Juliana International Airport areas. The old fishing history of the Simpson Bay is still remembered close to the bridge at the Simpson Bay Fish Market and its statue of a fisherman on it.
The adjacent St Maarten Yacht Club (freely accessible for non-members too) offers a great view of yachts and sailing ships coming in when the bridge opens. Ships pass by the yacht club balcony within a distance of some meters only. The often large amounts of megayachts and catamarans awaiting the opening times on either side of the bridge are a spectacle by itself.
Its yearly moment of global fame is during the Heineken Regatta in early March, when during extra opening times many of its hundreds of ships go back and forth along the regatta headquarters at the St Maarten Yacht Club.
The Simpson Bay Bridge opens at
• 8.30am (Boats going out)
• 9.30am (Boats coming in)
• 10.30am (Boats going out)
• 11.30am (Boats coming in)
• 3pm (Boats coming in)
• 4pm (Boats going out)
The VHF frequency is 12. Bridge authorities can be contacted via +1-721 545-5230 / 545-3183. The average height of the Simpson Bay Bridge is 2.4 meters, but can vary depending on tides. The channel is 17 meters wide and the controlling depth 6 meters.
For more nautical information pertaining to the bridges in the lagoon, please see our dedicated yachting page.
In need of more St Maarten / St Martin yachting information?
The St Maarten Marine Trades Association can be contacted for all your questions on chandlery, supplies and crew information. In both Simpson Bay and Philipsburg.
Find the location of the Simpson Bay Bridge on the map below!
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