| St. Martin/Sint Maarten Sample Chart |
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TThe chart and following text is from The Leeward Islands Guide by Stephen J. Pavlidis
On the eastern shore of St. Martin/Sint Maarten, one of the best and most protected anchorages is located at Oyster Pond. Inside you’ll find two marinas, room to anchor, and several places to dine, provision, and enjoy a drink at one of the best beach bars on St. Martin/Sint Maarten. The entrance to Oyster Pond can be difficult and dangerous in the wrong conditions (you must wind your way through two reef systems and two smaller patch reefs) although it is well-marked as of this writing. Bear in mind that the entrance channel buoys are privately maintained and their configuration may change. Following seas add to the excitement of an entry and this passage should never be attempted at night or in heavy following seas when the entire entrance breaks. Hope for mild seas, good visibility, and take your time as you proceed cautiously. And don’t forget that once you are safely inside, it might be awhile before you can leave; if a ground swell is running it may take a few days before conditions abate and allow you to leave.
Navigational Information From the waypoint you should be able to pick up the outer green buoy before sighting the first pair of red and green buoys that mark the eastern end of the channel. Bear in mind that this outer buoy may not be there when you are, the buoy configuration here is subject to change, it has changed twice since I sounded the harbor and by the time we went to press on this guide (it is the nature of guide-writing that things change as soon as you leave an island). On the northern side of the entrance channel are three red markers that border the southern edge of the reef off the point at Fief Hill. Keep these red buoys to starboard as you enter favoring the northern side of the channel, but don’t cut them too close. Keep north of the green buoys, which mark a breaking area of shallow water and a reef called The Breaker. Once past the last red buoy you can turn to the north/northwest to enter the harbor and get a slip or anchor between the marina and the wreck shown on the chart. There is a large shoal in the center of the harbor, but you can pass it safely by favoring the marina as you head northward. There are lots of private moorings in the harbor so finding a place to drop the hook can be a challenge.
What You Will Find Ashore Up the hill above Capt. Oliver’s Marina you’ll find many nice houses and condos, a hotel, and a few good places to dine such as Le Planteur with its excellent view of Oyster Pond, Frog’s Pizza Grill, and l’Escale, a nice little upscale cafe located at the Columbus Hotel. A bit further down the road are a pair of French restaurants, La Frigate and Tabba Khady. On the southern shore of Oyster Pond is Great House Marina. The marina has 14 slips (6’-8.5’ draft with a minimum length of 30') available to transients with water, 220 and 110 volt electricity, restrooms, a nice dive operation, cable TV, and 24-hour security. The marina boasts Mom and Pop's, a small but very well stocked market with a good selection of wine, coffees, and fine foods. Great House Marina is part of the Brokaar Marine Services company, an experienced commercial dving and salvage outfit. The gentleman who runs the fuel dock at Capt. Olivers also runs a water taxi service between Capt. Olivers and Great House. Great House Marina lies just across the road from the best beach bar on St. Martin/Sint Maarten, Mr. Busbee’s Beach Bar on Dawn Beach, a very touristy beach complete with umbrellas and sun-drenched tanned young people. Although the surf here can be strong at times, there is exceptional snorkeling offshore and if Mr. Busbee’s doesn’t do it for you, you can try your luck at Scavenger’s or The Crow’s Nest. Next door to the marina is the Oyster Pond Beach Hotel, home to Jade's Restaurant and the Shipwreck Shop.
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