Simpson Bay
Marinas, a strip of restaurants and bars, and planes on approach overhead
Simpson Bay is where a lot of the Dutch side eats, drinks, and keeps its boats. This corner of Sint Maarten runs along a long beach and an even longer lagoon, packed with restaurants, bars, dive shops, and marinas, all a few minutes from the airport. It stays busy and a little loud, which is the point for some people and a dealbreaker for others. If you want walkable nightlife and dining over quiet sand, this is your base.
Known for
- Restaurants and nightlife along the main strip
- Marinas and the Simpson Bay Lagoon
- Dive and watersports operators
- A long beach beside the airport approach
Should you stay here?
Best for
- Travelers who want dinner and drinks within walking distance
- Boaters and divers based near the marinas
- Short stays close to the airport
Know before you book
- Planes on approach to the airport pass low over the western end of the bay through the day
- The main road through Simpson Bay is loud and clogged with traffic day and night
- It's a strip built for eating and drinking, not a quiet swimming beach
Getting there
Five minutes by taxi from Princess Juliana Airport. The public bus along the main road runs frequently to Philipsburg and Maho, and a rental car is easy to park except outside the busiest restaurants at dinner.
More of Simpson Bay
Common questions
Is Simpson Bay a good place to stay in St. Maarten?
Simpson Bay suits travelers who want walkable restaurants, bars, and marinas close to the airport. The tradeoff is noise: traffic on the main road and planes on approach overhead. Light sleepers who want a quiet beach should look at Cupecoy or the French side.