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Marina Anse Marcel lies in the north of the French part of the Caribbean island of St. Martin, in a sheltered basin behind Anse Marcel bay, between green hills. Here you'll find out how to get from the airport to the marina, where to park and shop, what wind to expect, which destinations lie nearby and what skippers should bear in mind when clearing in and berthing.
The essentials at a glance
- International flights land at Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) in the Dutch part of the island. By taxi or hire car you'll reach the marina in around 45 minutes.
- The small Grand Case Airport (SFG) lies only around 2 kilometres from the marina as the crow flies.
- The marina is open year-round and takes visiting boats up to 27 metres. Parking is available directly at the marina.
- A grocery shop is in the village; the nearest larger supermarket is accessible by car or taxi, around 2 kilometres away as the crow flies.
- Tintamarre and Marigot lie within short day sails, Anguilla and St. Barth a longer sail away.
Where is Marina Anse Marcel?
Marina Anse Marcel lies on the north coast of St Martin, between Grand Case to the south-west and Orient Bay to the south-east. The harbour basin was formerly a pond behind the beach, the Grand Étang. It was connected to the bay via a dredged channel in 1983. That is why the boats lie not in the bay itself but a little way inland, well sheltered from wind and swell. Around the marina lies the small village of Anse Marcel with hotels, restaurants and holiday homes on the hillsides. The facility is also called Port de Lonvilliers, meaning the same harbour.
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More InformationFor distinction: Marina Fort Louis in Marigot lies on the west coast of the French side, and the marinas of Simpson Bay in the Dutch part lie in the south-west of the island. We present both in separate profiles, which Marina Fort Louis in Marigot and the Ports of Sint Maarten with Simpson Bay.
Arriving to start your trip at Marina Anse Marcel
Two airports come into question for arrival: the international Princess Juliana Airport in the south of the island and the small Grand Case airport very close to the marina.
From Princess Juliana Airport to the marina
Princess Juliana Airport lies at Simpson Bay in the Dutch part, roughly 11 kilometres as the crow flies from the marina. The journey takes about 45 minutes because the road leads right across the island. Taxis wait in a dedicated lane in front of the terminal. They run at fixed prices, payment is cash, US dollars are accepted. There is no bus directly from the airport. You will find car hire desks near the arrivals hall. If you are driving yourself, it is best to take a map because signposting on the island is not always unambiguous for visitors.
By landing at Princess Juliana you are entering the Dutch side. For this you need a valid passport. Before the flight you also fill in online at entry.sx the entry card for the Dutch side (ED-Card).
From Grand Case airport and getting around on the island
The small Grand Case-L'Espérance airport (code SFG) lies in the French part on the edge of Grand Case, roughly 2 kilometres south-west of the marina as the crow flies. Taxis are also available directly in Anse Marcel, and you can hire a car in the village. There are also public minibuses on the island, but with luggage taxi or hire car are more convenient.
Parking
There are parking spaces at the marina. Access to the grounds is secured with a barrier, and the marina is monitored by CCTV.
Showers and sanitary facilities
The marina has showers and a launderette.
Shopping for the trip
In Anse Marcel village there is a grocery shop for essentials, plus a shop for snorkelling equipment. For a large shop you drive to Grand Case: there you will find New Luck Supermarket, about 2.5 kilometres from the marina. Even a little nearer is the larger Super U supermarket, roughly 2 kilometres from the marina as the crow flies; you can get there by car or taxi. Right by Super U you will also find the nearest pharmacy, Pharmacie Caraïbes. You can get ice at the marina.
Doctor, pharmacy and emergency services
The nearest hospital is the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming in Marigot; its accident and emergency department is open round the clock. The nearest pharmacy is Pharmacie Caraïbes by Super U, roughly 2 kilometres from the marina as the crow flies; you will find another in Grand Case. In emergencies the following numbers apply in the French part:
- 112: European emergency number, free
- 15: ambulance service (SAMU), 17: police, 18: fire brigade
- 196: Sea rescue via the responsible rescue coordination centre CROSS, free and round the clock; at sea VHF channel 16 takes priority
What does Marina Anse Marcel offer?
Marina Anse Marcel is a small, very sheltered harbour with 125 berths, 50 of them for guests. It accepts monohulls, catamarans and trimarans up to 88 feet, or about 27 metres, with a maximum draught of 2.5 metres. The key details at a glance (as at November 2026):
| Feature | Marina Anse Marcel |
|---|---|
| Location | 208 route de l'Anse Marcel, north coast of the French part of St Martin |
| Berths | 125, of which 50 for guests |
| Boat size | up to 88 ft (about 27 m), maximum draught 2.5 m |
| Channel | dredged to 3 m, lit |
| berthing | stern-to at the quay, between posts |
| VHF channel | 16 |
| Harbour office telephone | +590 590 27 79 82 |
| capitainerie@ansemarcelmarina.com | |
| Facilities | Water, electricity 110 and 220 volts, fuel station, ice, Wi-Fi free of charge |
| Toilets | Showers, launderette |
| Clearance | at the harbour office |
| Open | year-round |
Equipment
At the quay there is fresh water and electricity at 110 and 220 volts; at the marina's fuel station you fill up with fuel. Ice, free Wi-Fi and waste oil collection facilities are also included. Around the basin there are restaurants, a beach club, a dive centre and a watersports club.
The marina was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and was rebuilt afterwards. As things stand (November 2026), the marina is back in operation and is an authorised French customs clearance point.
What is the weather like for sailing in Anse Marcel?
Around St Martin the trade wind blows from the east almost all year. From December to February it comes fresh from east-north-east and brings squalls again and again, short rain showers. From March to May it turns to east to south-east and it becomes drier; in April and May it usually eases somewhat. The trade wind blows most strongly from December to March.
The Atlantic swell from north-east to south-east runs mainly against the east coast. Tidal range is small at around 20 centimetres. In the marina basin you lie quietly regardless of wind direction.
From 1 June to 30 November is hurricane season. From August to November humid tropical trade winds prevail.
Which sailing destinations can you reach from Marina Anse Marcel?
From Anse Marcel, Tintamarre and Marigot lie within short day sails, Anguilla, Simpson Bay and St Barth within longer ones. The distances are rounded water distances on the usual course from the marina; for exact planning, the chart applies.
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- Tintamarre off the north-east coast: approx. 4 nm
- Marigot, Marina Fort Louis, along the north coast: approx. 6 nm
- Simpson Bay, round the western end of St Martin: approx. 14 nm
- Road Bay on Anguilla, round the western end of Anguilla: approx. 15 nm
- Gustavia on St Barth: approx. 20 nm
Tintamarre is uninhabited and belongs to the Réserve Naturelle, the state nature reserve of St Martin. The anchorage lies on the southwest side off a white sandy beach. The reserve has laid 17 yellow buoys there for boats up to 15 metres or 15 tonnes. Only boats under 10 metres may anchor, and only on sand. Anyone wishing to stay overnight needs prior permission from the Réserve Naturelle, in which case use of a buoy is compulsory. Off the small island of Pinel in the same reserve, overnight stays on board are prohibited.
Marigot is the main town of the French side, with a market, fort and the Marina Fort Louis. On the way you pass Grand Case and Rocher Créole, a rock in the bay of Grand Case which is also part of the protected area. Four yellow buoys are laid there for boats up to 15 metres; going ashore and climbing on the rock is forbidden.
Simpson Bay lies in the Dutch side of the island. The lagoon behind it is reached through a lifting bridge which only opens at fixed times, separately for entering and leaving boats, mornings and afternoons.
Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory. Before departure there you clear out. Anguilla has its own customs and immigration rules under the Government of Anguilla. Sailing in the island's waters requires a separate Cruising Permit, which alone does not entitle you to go ashore.
St Barth belongs, like St. Martin, to the French Antilles. Gustavia is the island's main town and its harbour. The French customs clearance requirement also applies to entering and leaving St. Barth. The authorised clearance point is the harbour office (Capitainerie) of Gustavia harbour, which can be reached on VHF channel 12.
What can you do on a harbour day in Anse Marcel?
The beach is within walking distance from the marina; for Grand Case, Marigot and Pic Paradis you need a taxi or hire car.
- Anse Marcel beach: The bay is sheltered from the wind, the water calm and shallow, well suited for families with children too. A watersports club hires out kayaks and paddleboards, sun loungers can be hired for a small fee.
- Grand Case: The former fishing village in the west is known for its restaurants and lolos, simple food stalls serving Caribbean cuisine. In high season there is a market on Tuesday evenings with arts and crafts.
- Pic Paradis and Loterie Farm: At 424 metres, Pic Paradis is the island's highest point and the start of several walking trails; from the top you see across the island out to the neighbouring islands. At its foot lies Loterie Farm, a nature park with a climbing course, zipline and pool.
- Marigot: In the main town, the market at the harbour and the view from the ruins of Fort Louis over the bay and lagoon are worth the visit.
For skippers: Clearing in, berthing and sea weather at Marina Anse Marcel
The capitainerie of Marina Anse Marcel is also an authorised clearance point; you clear in and out directly at the marina.
Clearing in at Anse Marcel
St Martin belongs to the French Antilles. Every yacht entering from or leaving to another state must report entry and exit to French customs, private and commercial alike.
- The skipper fills in the French customs form online, before arrival or before departure.
- You receive a certificate with a digital customs stamp. The automatic acknowledgement by email is not sufficient.
- Because neighbouring states do not yet recognise the digital certificate, you print it out and have it stamped at an authorised clearance point, for example at the capitainerie of Marina Anse Marcel. Without internet you fill in the form directly there.
- The clearance office in the Capitainerie is open in the morning from 8 to 11.30 am (as at January 2026).
The French customs information sheet links to the form and the current list of clearance points.
Registration and Berthing
You can reach the Capitainerie on +590 590 27 79 82, by e-mail at capitainerie@ansemarcelmarina.com or on VHF channel 16. Visitor berths are available for boats up to 27 metres in length and 2.5 metres in draught. You moor stern-to the quay, with the bow lying between posts. There is a reception quay at the entrance to the marina.
Approach
From the bay of Anse Marcel a channel dredged to 3 metres leads into the basin. Its entrance is protected by a mole around 40 metres long; opposite lies a rocky headland, both carrying a light at their end. Red and green buoys mark the channel. The channel is lit.
Which sea weather forecast applies in Anse Marcel?
Météo-France is responsible. For the sea area around St Martin and St Barth there is a separate "Mer-Îles du Nord" forecast with wind and gusts, sea state and swell, plus harbour forecasts for Marigot, Sint Maarten and Gustavia.
Trips from Anse Marcel on Törnfinder
In October 2026 there are 3 trips on Törnfinder from 2 providers with departure or destination at Marina Anse Marcel.
You can find offers throughout the sailing area under Sailing in the Caribbean, all other sailing areas in the trip overview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Princess Juliana Airport to Marina Anse Marcel?
The easiest way is by taxi or hire car; the journey takes around 45 minutes. Taxis operate on fixed fares and accept cash, including US dollars. There is no direct bus service from the airport.
Where do I park for trip departure in Anse Marcel?
Directly at the marina, where there are parking spaces. Access is controlled by a barrier and the area is monitored by CCTV.
Are there showers at Marina Anse Marcel?
Yes. The marina has showers and a laundry.
Is there a supermarket near Marina Anse Marcel?
There is a food shop in the village. The nearest larger supermarket is Super U, around 2 kilometres away as the crow flies, and there is also New Luck Supermarket in Grand Case, around 2.5 kilometres away.
Is Anse Marcel in the French or Dutch part of St Martin?
In the French part, on the north coast. This means French regulations apply at the marina, for example regarding clearance and emergency telephone numbers.
Can I clear in at Marina Anse Marcel?
Yes. The capitainerie is an authorised clearance point for French customs. You fill in the customs form online beforehand and have the certificate stamped there.
Is Marina Anse Marcel safe during hurricanes?
It is regarded as a well-protected harbour because the basin is set back inland behind the bay. During Hurricane Irma in 2017 it was nevertheless severely damaged and subsequently rebuilt.
