Getting around
Getting Around Sint Maarten from the Marina
Choose transport by the consequence of being late, then work backwards from the required return.
Read
2 min
Last reviewed
23 July 2026
For
Purser · Chief stew · All crew
Choose transport by the consequence of being late. Hard reporting times need a booked movement; flexible trips leave room for taxis, minibuses or a rental.
- Hard deadline
- Book the movement
- Flexible trip
- Taxi or minibus may fit
- Start with
- Exact pickup and return
Match the vehicle to the consequence of being late
Airport departures, medical appointments and duty changes need a confirmed pickup and enough margin. An informal minibus can work for low-stakes travel, but there is no formal timetable.
Plan by area, not distance
A short map distance can take longer when traffic builds around Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Philipsburg or the airport. Give the driver the marina gate or tender point, not only the yacht name.
Work backwards from the required return and keep the driver's number with the passengers.
For a multi-stop job, write the order of stops and the one fixed deadline. Reconfirm the return pickup before the final errand; finding a vehicle at the end is not the same as having a return plan.
Treat a rental as a separate decision
Driving is on the right. Check the licence, insurance, deposit, fuel policy, parking and who is permitted to drive.
Do not leave the yacht's schedule dependent on a vehicle return that has no margin.
Working list
Transport brief
- Pickup and drop-off points
- Required arrival time
- Passenger and bag count
- Driver contact and meeting point
- Return booking or fallback
- Payment method and confirmed fare
- Cross-island phone coverage if relevant
Questions that change the plan
Settle these before anyone moves.
Are taxis metered in Sint Maarten?
The Tourist Bureau describes a fixed-fare system. Confirm the fare and payment method before departure.
Is there a public bus schedule?
Privately operated minibuses serve common routes, but there is no formal timetable. They are a poor fit for a hard airport or duty deadline.
Which side of the road is used?
Traffic drives on the right.
Does a French-side pickup need extra planning?
Yes. Allow for the actual route, traffic, a precise meeting point and possible mobile roaming across the two jurisdictions.
Ready to arrange it?
Tell us who needs to be where, and when.
We can coordinate airport transfers, crew movements and drivers, subject to availability.