.jpg/300px-Simpson_Bay_Beach_(6543951073).jpg) | |
| Simpson Bay | |
| Island nation | Sint Maarten |
|---|---|
| Residents | unknown |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | |
Simpson Bay is a city on the island Sint Maarten.
background
This very wide curved bay with almost 5 km long beach is the main tourist center of the island. In the immediate vicinity are the Princess Juliana airfield, the golf course, the Simpson Bay lagoon with several marinas and shopping centers. The isthmus between the sea and the lagoon is so narrow in places that there is just enough space for the main road. The Simpson Bay Lagoon is the largest in the whole of the Caribbean at 31 km². There is a canal access for sailing boats on the French and Dutch sides. At fixed times, the bascule bridges are then opened and road traffic stops.
In the west, a headland juts out almost 500 m into the sea and separates Simpson Bay from Burgeaux and Maho Bay. To the east is the beach of Kim Sha Beach, behind it the hill of Billy Folly rises 120 m high.
Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) is 15 km from Philipsburg. It was established as a military base in 1942 and was converted into a civil airfield a year later. Today, after San Juan in Puerto Rico, the airfield is the northeastern Caribbean's second most important airfield in terms of flight movements. Extensive modernization and security measures initiated by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) are currently being carried out. This will also lead to traffic diversions in the following years. For example, the airfield must have a 150 m long safety zone at both ends of the runway and a 60 m wide safety strip on the side, construction measures that extend over 98,000 m². In 2006 a new terminal building was put into operation.
The American Jeff Boyd (Cole Bay, see above) received from Dr. Ruben Hoppenstein awarded the contract to build the Yacht Club Isle de Sol with berths for 45 mega yachts for 12 million dollars. Boyd quickly became convinced that the bridge over the canal to Simpson Bay Lagoon would be a major obstacle for the mega yachts. With a loan from the Dutch government, he had the canal widened and a new bridge built, at an additional cost of $ 2.3 million. Both projects were completed in five months and 22 days of construction.
Dr. Hoppenstein is investing over 100 million US dollars between 2007 and 2009 to build another hotel complex next to the existing yacht club.
beaches
- Kim Sha Beach. This small sandy beach is located at the eastern end of Simpson Bay, behind the channel to the lagoon. The beach area has become very small due to the construction of hotel complexes.
- Simpson Baai. Long curved fishing bay with some old colonial houses. Small hotels and beach bars alternate. With good visibility you can see as far as the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitt's and Nevis. Since the airfield borders directly on the bay, you can see the planes land and take off from here.
getting there
By plane
Princess Juliana Airport, IATA Code - SXM, ICAO Code - TNCM, Runway 09/27, 7.707 x 148 Feet (2.540 x 50 m), Tel. 545-5757, Fax 545-3578. http://pjiae.com
- Information desk, tel. 545-4211, security, tel. 545-4369
Airlines
- Air Caraibes, Juliana Airport. Tel.: 545-4212.
helicopter
- Heli St. Maarten, Welfare Road 46, Cole Bay. Tel.: 544-4100.
In the street
The international airport borders directly on Simpson Bay to the north. When you leave the airport, there is only one road that leads in front of it. From the airport building in the direction to the right you have to drive halfway around the airport on Airport Road, then you are in Simpson Bay.
By boat
There are six marinas in the lagoon, also for large yachts.
mobility
Rental car
- Century Car Rental, Simpson Bay Road 72. Tel.: 545-3327.
- Creative Car Rental, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-4017.
- Summerset Car Rental, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-4138.
Rental car at the airport
- Explorer Car Rental. Tel.: 545-2056.
- Payless Car Rental, Switch 18. Tel.: 545-3061.
- Sandyg Rent-A-Car. Tel.: 545-3335.
Bicycle rental
Scooter and motorcycle rental
- American scooter, Airport Road 102-A. Tel.: 545-2811.
- Go Scoot, Palapa Marina. Tel.: 545-4533.
Gas stations
taxi
- Airport taxi rank. Tel.: 545-4317.
activities
Boat charter
- Bubba Charters. Tel.: 544-2313, Fax: 557-4747. Daily departures from Skip Jack's Restaurant at the entrance to Isla del Sol Marina.
- Offshore Sunsations, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 552-6026.
- Select Yachts, Plaza del Lago 4, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 544-4100.
fishing
Fitness center
Kayaks
Marinas
The bridge between Simpson Baai Lagoon and the ocean is open to passing ships daily at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.
- Palapa Marina, Airport Road 28, Simpson Baai Lagoon. Tel.: 545-2735, Fax: 545-2510. VHF Kanal 68. 22 berths for large yachts, bank, bar, ice cream, mini plaza, cleaning, repair shop, electricity, telephone, fuel, water.
- Portofino Marina (IGY), Airport Road 46. Tel.: 545-2500, Fax: 545-2501. Amalgamated Yachting Service, Trans-Ocean Base, Restaurant.
- Simpson Bay Marina (IGY), Airport Road, Simpson Baai Lagoon. Tel.: 544-2309, Fax: 544-3378. VHF Kanal 16. 122 berths, 30m shipyard, waste oil disposal, car rental, Plaza del Largo shopping center with bank, bar, boutiques, showers, gas, restaurant, cleaning, sailmaker, electricity, fuel, water, yacht charter, yacht club business center.
- Yacht Club Isle de Sol, Snoopy Island, Airport Road. Tel.: 544-2408, Fax: 544-2906. VHF channel 78A / 16. 45 berths for mega yachts.
Para sailing
Cycling
sailing
- Sint Maarten Sailing School, Billy Folly Road 10. Tel.: 580-5806.
Diving
- Ocean Explorer Dive Center (NAUI, PADI, CMAS), Welfare Road 109, Kim Sha Beach. Tel.: 544-5252, Fax: 544-4357.
- Prices: Basic course: 45 US $, beginner's license: 40-90 US $, advanced: 275 US $; Professional license: US $ 650, night dive: US $ 60, rescue diving: US $ 300; Wreck diving: US $ 45
Water-skiing
Yacht charter
- A.Y.S. Amalgamated Yachting Services, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 523-9868.
- Select Yachts, Simpson Bay Yacht Club. Tel.: 544-7375.
shop
- Le Grand Marché, Airport Road 46. Tel.: 545-3055, Fax: 545-3056. Food.Open: Mon - Sat 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Shopping centers
- Palapa Mini Mall, Palapa Marina, Airport Road 9. Shops, restaurants, diving school.
- Plaza del Lago, Simpson Bay Marina, Welfare Road. Pharmacy, bank, restaurants.
kitchen
Restaurants on Airport Road
- Balaou, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-2209.
- Coconuts Seafood Bar, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-3331.
- Hanabi restaurant, Airport Road 46. Tel.: 545-3686.
- Hot Tomatoes Restaurant & Bar, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-2223. Tappas Bar, national, cheap.Open: from 4 p.m.
- Laguna, Airport Road 102. Tel.: 545-2025, Fax: 545-2011. Italian, medium prices.Open: daily 6.30 p.m. - 10.30 p.m.
- Lynette´s Grill & Seafood Restaurant, Airport Road. Tel.: 545-2865, Fax: 545-2866. Caribbean, medium prices.Open: 12 noon - 4 p.m. 6 p.m. - 10.30 p.m.
- Shui Hung Bar & Restaurant, Airport Road 15. Tel.: 545-3314.
- The Boathouse, in front of the bascule bridge, Airport Road. Tel.: 544-5409, Fax: 544-3642. International.
- Turtle Pier, Airport Road 116, Royal Turtle Inn. Tel.: 545-2562, Fax: 545-2339. Caribbean, medium prices.Open: daily 7.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Watergate restaurants, Airport Road 8. Tel.: 545-3377.
Restaurants on Welfare Road
- Bavaria Bar & Restaurant, Welfare Road, across from the Yacht Club. Tel.: 544-2665, Fax: 544-2665. German.
- Saratoga, Plaza del Lago. Tel.: 544-2421, Fax: 544-2423. French, expensive.Open: Mon - Sat 6.30pm - 10.30pm, closed in August and September.
- The Wharf, at the entrance to Isla del Sol Marina. Tel.: 544-4133. International.Open: daily 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Zee Best, Plaza del Lago, Simpson Bay Yacht Club, behind the Scotiabank. Tel.: 545-2734. Open: daily 7.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hotel restaurants
- La Vista Resort, 53 Billy Folly Road, Pelican Key Estate. Tel.: 544-3005. The Hideaway Bar & Restaurant, Creole, open for breakfast and lunch daily from 8 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., in the evening Tue - Sat 6.30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
- Mary's Boon Beach Plantation, Simpson Bay Road. Tel.: 545-4235. Mary´s Boon Beach Plantation, international. Menu 35-45 US $.Open: Mon - Sat 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. and from 7.30 p.m. Tides Bar, daily 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Pelican Resort, Billy Folly Road, Pelican Key Estate. Tel.: 544-2503. Ciao, Italian; La Veranda Cafe, Hollywood Casino; Los Gauchos Restaurant & Bistro, Argentinian steak house, Pelican Resort Marina, Tel. 544-4084, open daily 5.30pm - 10.30pm; The Bistro, international, Pelican Resort Marina, open daily 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; The Red Piano, Cocktai Bar, Hollywood Casino, open daily 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; B Pool Bar, open daily 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Marina Residences Cocktail Bar, open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Marina Residences Pool Bar, open daily 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
nightlife
- Buccaneer Beach Bar, The Atrium Resort, Kim Sha Beach. Tel.: 544-5876.
- Jimbo's Rock & Blues Cafe, Plaza del Lago. Tel.: 544-3600, Fax: 557-4194. Open: Mon - Sat 11 a.m. - midnight, Sun 5 p.m. - midnight.
- Lady C floating bar, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 544-4710.
movie theater
- Caribbean Megaplex Cinemas, Welfare Road. Tel.: 544-4777.
Casinos
- Hollywood Casino, 37 Billy Folly Road, Pelican Estate Greathouse. Tel.: 544-4463, Fax: 544-4453. Open: daily 2.00 p.m. - 3.00 a.m.
- Pelican Casino, Billy Folly Road. Tel.: 544-3311.
accommodation
- Atrium Beach Resort, Billy Folly Road, Kim Sha Beach. Tel.: 544-2125-26, Fax: 544-2128. 87 studios and suites. Time-Share Hotel of the Festiva Group, restaurant, pool, fitness room, 1 conference room with 25 seats, beach. High-rise building with 10 floors.
- Flamingo Beach Resort, 6 Billy Folly Road, Pelican Key Estate. Tel.: 544-3900, Fax: 544-3892. 240 studios. Diamond Resort timeshare hotel, beach restaurant, beach bar, pool, evening entertainment, souvenir shop, car rental, gym, mini market, casino, tennis, 24-hour medical care, beach.
- La Vista Resort La Vista Beach Resort, 53 Billy Folly Road, Pelican Key Estate. Tel.: 544-3005, Fax: 544-3010. 50 suites and studios. Time-share facility, restaurant, bar, pool, beach. Both plants are separated from each other by the main road.
- Mary's Boon Beach Plantation, Simpson Bay Road. Tel.: 545-4235, 545-7000, Fax: 545-3403. 18 studios and suites. Time-share facility, pool, beach, no children under 14 years.Price: in summer: Studio 75-175 US $, Suite 125-200 US $; in winter: Studio US $ 125-250, Suite US $ 175-300. Rental prices plus 5% taxes and 15% service.
- Pelican Resort, Billy Folly Road, Pelican Key Estate. Tel.: 544-2503, Fax: 544-2133. 342 studios and suites. Time-Share Hotel, 2 restaurants, pool bar, beach bar, 5 pools, children's pool, animation, car rental, handicapped accessible, shopping arcade, fitness room, hairdresser, children's playground, conference room, mini market, sauna, casino, 4 floodlit tennis courts, wellness center with beauty clinic , Marina, 2 beaches, diving school, water sports center, kayaks, parasailing, sailing, surfing, pedal boats, water skiing.
- Royal Palm Beach Resort, 115 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 544-3737, Fax: 544-2965. 140 suites on 6 floors. Diamant Resorts Time Share Hotel, Restaurant, Bar, Pool, Gym, ATM. Location: right on the canal to the lagoon.
Guest houses
- Horny Toad Guesthouse, Vlaun's Drive 2. Tel.: 545-4323, Fax: 545-3316. 8 apartments. Non-smoking hotel, no children under 7 years. Location: on the beach, just south of the runway.Price: in summer: single / double room US $ 107; in winter: single / double US $ 198. Prices plus 5% government tax.
- La Chatelaine Hotel, Simpsonbay Beach 115. Tel.: 545-4269, Fax: 545-3195. 17 apartments, pool.Characteristic: ★★★.Price: all year round: single from US $ 64, double from US $ 75.
- Travel Inn Hotel, Airport Road 15. Tel.: 545-3353, Fax: 545-3383. 30 rooms and 10 suites.Price: in summer: double room 99-109 US $, suite 140 US $; in winter: double room US $ 119-129, suite US $ 170. Rental prices including taxes.
- Turquoise Shell Inn, Simpson Bay Road 34. Tel.: 545-5642, Fax: 545-2846. 10 suites, pool, beach.Price: in summer: double room US $ 115; in winter: double room US $ 145.
health
Pharmacies
- Simpson Bay Pharmacy, Plaza del Lago. Tel.: 544-3653, Fax: 544-3654. Open: Mon - Fri until 7.30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sun 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Practical advice
Banks
- SFT bank, Palapa Center, Airport Road 30-A. Tel.: 545-2070, Fax: 545-2073. Open: daily 8.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
- The Windward Islands Bank (WIB), Airport Boulevard. Tel.: 545-3063, Fax: 545-2130. ATM.Open: Mon - Thu 8.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m., Fri 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
ATMs
Windward Islands Bank (WIB) 24 hour ATMs are located in the following locations:
- Juliana Airport, departure lounge
- Juliana Airport, Arrivals Hall
- Pelican Casino, Billy Folly Road
- Shell petrol station, Airport Road
police
- Police station and immigration office. A new police station and immigration office is located on the Simpson Baai Lagoon Bridge, harbor side.Open: daily until 11 p.m.
trips
- Sint Maarten Moving Parties, Party bus, Airport Road 11. Tel.: 553-2445.
- Turtle Tours, Simpson Bay. Tel.: 526-4662.
