Why go
- Lagoon on the island Saint Martin in the Caribbean.
History
Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies of the Caribbean. It is located on the island of Saint Martin. The border between the French and Dutch halves of the island runs across the centre of the lagoon. There are two small islands that lie in the lagoon: the larger, Grand Ilet to the north, is within the French region of Saint-Martin; the smaller, Little Key, to the south, is on the Dutch Sint Maarten side. Historically it was not a lagoon, but a lake. A hurricane in 1819 breached the natural isthmus at Pelican, isolating the Simpson Bay fishing community for a century. Halfway through the 20th century, an artificial canal at the current Simpson Bay Lagoon Bridge replaced the initial natural waterway.
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 23 airlines, 33 direct destinations
- Windward Islands Airways WM (DHT, AT4) · 9 routes: Basse Terre, Charlestown, Dominica, Gustavia, Oranjestad, Saba, Santo Domingo, The Valley, Tortola
- Leeward Islands Air Transport LI (Dash 8-300, AT4, ATR 72) · 7 routes: Antigua, Basse Terre, Castries, Dominica, St. Croix Island, St. Thomas, Tortola
- American Airlines AA (757, A319, A330-200, 737-800) · 4 routes: Charlotte, Miami, New York, Philadelphia
- TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları YI (CNT) · 4 routes: Dominica, San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortola
- US Airways US (757, A319, A330-200, 737-800, 757-200) · 4 routes: Charlotte, Miami, New York, Philadelphia
- Air Antilles Express 3S (ATR 42) · 3 routes: Dominica, Pointe-a-pitre, Santo Domingo
- Insel Air (7I/INC) (Priv) 7I (M83) · 3 routes: Port-au-prince, Santo Domingo, Willemstad
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320, Embraer 190) · 3 routes: Boston, New York, San Juan
- United Airlines UA (737-700) · 3 routes: Chicago, Newark, Washington
- Air Caraïbes TX (A330-200, CNA) · 2 routes: Gustavia, Paris
- BVI Airways XV (J32) · 2 routes: Dominica, Tortola
- Caribbean Airlines BW (737-800) · 2 routes: Bridgetown, Kingston
- Delta Air Lines DL (757-200, 757) · 2 routes: Atlanta, New York
- Air France AF (A340-300) · 1 route: Paris
- Alitalia AZ (A340-300) · 1 route: Paris*
- Copa Airlines CM (Embraer 190, 737-700) · 1 route: Panama City
- Corsairfly SS (A330-200) · 1 route: Paris*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (747) · 1 route: Willemstad
- PAN Air PV (CNC, BNT) · 1 route: Gustavia
- Seaborne Airlines BB (Saab 340) · 1 route: San Juan
- SOCHI AIR CHATER Q3 (BNI) · 1 route: The Valley
- Spirit Airlines NK (A320) · 1 route: Fort Lauderdale
- WestJet WS (737-700) · 1 route: Toronto
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 7 direct destinations
- PAN Air PV (BNT, CNC) · 3 routes: Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Martin
- T.J. Air TJ (CNC, PL2) · 3 routes: Antigua, San Juan, St. Thomas
- Windward Islands Airways WM (DHT) · 2 routes: Philipsburg, Saba
- Air Antilles Express 3S (DHT) · 1 route: Pointe-a-pitre
- Air Caraïbes TX (CNA) · 1 route: Philipsburg
- Corsairfly SS (ATR) · 1 route: Pointe-a-pitre*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 4 direct destinations
- Leeward Islands Air Transport LI (Dash 8-300, ATR 72, AT4) · 2 routes: Antigua, St. Thomas
- Cape Air 9K (CNA) · 1 route: San Juan
- SOCHI AIR CHATER Q3 (BNI) · 1 route: Philipsburg
- T.J. Air TJ (PL2) · 1 route: San Juan
- Windward Islands Airways WM (DHT) · 1 route: Philipsburg
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 2 direct destinations
- Air Antilles Express 3S (ATR 42) · 1 route: Pointe-a-pitre
- Air Caraïbes TX (ATR 72) · 1 route: Pointe-a-pitre
- Corsairfly SS (ATR) · 1 route: Pointe-a-pitre*
- PAN Air PV (BNT) · 1 route: Gustavia
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. We do not yet hold airport or rail details for Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten — check the official tourism sources below for the best routes in. Maarten Ferry Terminal, 1.8 km). Maarten Ferry Terminal, 1.8 km). Maarten Ferry Terminal, 1.8 km); routes include Blowing Point, Anguilla - Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten, Marigot, Saint-Martin - Blowing Point, Anguilla, Îlet Pinel. Maarten Ferry Terminal, 1.8 km); routes include Blowing Point, Anguilla - Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten, Marigot, Saint-Martin - Blowing Point, Anguilla, Îlet Pinel. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Anguilla-St. Maarten Ferry Terminal, 1.8 km); routes include Blowing Point, Anguilla - Princess Juliana International Airport, Sint Maarten, Marigot, Saint-Martin - Blowing Point, Anguilla, Îlet Pinel.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.