David Duong

Lagoon Marina, Simpson Bay Lagoon

Fly to Princess Juliana International Airport on St. Maarten or Espérance Regional Airport in Grand Case, Sint Martin. When you arrive, take taxi to the base, Lagoon Marina. If the cap driver need more specification and ask the cap driver to go to Lagoonies (That's a well known bar located in our Marina).

Airport departure tax is US $30 PP at Princess Juliana International Airport. There is no airport departure tax from the French regional airport

Boats are located in Lagoon Marina, on our dedicated dock

Office hours are 0900-1700 daily

The Horizon base is 10 minutes drive from the international airport on the Dutch side.
The Horizon base is a 40 minutes drive from the French regional airport.

The taxi fare from the international airport is US$10 up to 2 passengers. Each extra passenger is $5.
The taxi fare from the French regional airport is US$25 up to 2 passengers. Each extra passenger is $5.
One luggage is free. Each additional piece of luggage is $1. Boxes or bundles are $3 extra.

Yes, typically 10 - 15% gratuity is offered.

If your bag is delayed, you will have to report this to Customer Services desk at the airport. They will fill out a form and give you a copy with a reference number and a local telephone number. Please tell them that you are sailing with Horizon Yacht Charters and give them the office number. Typically, your bag will arrive in the next day (or two). The airline will deliver your bag to wherever you are - so this will not hold up your sailing time. If the bag does not arrive after a number of days, the airline may give you a daily compensation figure to spend. Please check with your airline before you leave. REMEMBER: this happens about once per month so be prepared - pack some shorts, TShirts, flip-flops, toothbrush, toothpaste and any medical supplies that you may need. This should not ruin the start of your holiday - so come prepared!

When you arrive at the office, please have your passports ready - we will return these to you, as well as return flight confirmation or itinerary (this is a requirement from St Maarten customs) ready for copying. We will then undertake the paperwork in terms of taking for the Hull Damage Waiver, Cruising Permit, and any provisioning that has been ordered in advance. We will walk you through our INFORMATION FOLDER. We will then undertake a chart briefing where you will be given the appropriate Imray Charts for your cruise. The chart briefing will cover cruising area, questions you may have about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, or any part of your itinerary. After the Chart Briefing, you will receive your Boat Briefing. This cover the operating systems, including rigging, electrical systems, windlass, stove, head, dinghy, outboard and emergency systems. It is sometimes a good idea to send some of the crew to the supermarket in order to provision at the same time.

You may board the yacht at noon (charter contracts start and finish at noon). Allow a couple of hours to complete the chart and boat brief procedure before you are ready to leave the dock.

If an arrival is scheduled outside of hours, take a taxi to Horizon Charters base and instructions will be left for you on the office door and the marina security guard will assist you.

Since some flights arrive too late in the day for you to start your charter, where possible, we offer the option of a sleepaboard on your first night at an additional charge. Boarding is after 5.00pm and the yacht will be prepared for your late arrival. Please enquire about this option should you require it. $75.00 per person – minimum $250.

Your yacht is handed over to you with water and fuel tanks completely full. On your return the yacht must be refilled with water and fuel at your charge. You can pick up water and fuel at Island Water World or Simpson Bay Marina inside Simpson Bay Lagoon, Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, Gess Station by the French side Bridge or Marina Fort St. Louis in Marigot. Water only is available in the marina of Anse Marcel.

There is no fuel or water available in Anguilla. In St.Barths, only water is available at the dock of Gustavia. Please contact the Capitainerie (harbour master) on VHF CH. 12.

Antillean guilders on the Dutch side and Euros on the French side. But both sides of the Island take US Dollars as well. For your own convenience just leave the official currencies and just take US dollars with you.

You can pay by using Visa or MasterCard. Or you can mail a US$ Cashier's Check. Please allow for the mail taking 4 till 6 weeks to arrive in St Martin.

We accept VISA, MASTERCARD and AMEX

Up to 4 till 6 weeks. So please make sure you send your check on time!

We are unable to offer refunds within 90 days of your charter start date unless we can re-sell your reserved dates. As we adhere to this policy, we strongly suggest that Trip Cancellation Insurance is purchased.

No, we have mainsail and genoa on all yachts.

The size of engine that we have is a 5HP.

Yes, all of our dinghies have hard bottoms.

It is for you to use your own judgment on when you should decide to take the engine off.

Yes, we provide a lock with a padlock. Please make sure you check this off on your inventory sheet. We encourage you lock your dinghy every time as cases of dinghy ‘mistaken identity’ do occur.

You simply take the dinghy up on the beach and tie to the nearest palm tree.

Each boat is fully equipped with a safety box containing all the sailing essentials that a skipper may need.

We do stock standard size child life jackets, Type 1.  It is better to bring your own if you have children below the age of 6, to ensure a better fit. Please send us an email if you need children life jackets as they are not standard included by each vessel.

The fridges will vary depending on which yacht you have. Bear in mind that you should not buy more than 3 days worth of fresh produce as the fridge is not going to be as good as your fridge at home.

if your yacht has an inverter on board then you may use electrical appliances that you have brought with you (hairdryer, recharging batteries, etc.) while sailing or at anchor. You may need to bring an adapter. Most of our yachts are 110V with U.S receptacles. In Antigua you will find both 220V and 110V available in certain areas. We advise that you check with us first since the relevant information is dependent upon your yacht as well as which country you are visiting from. All yachts have 12V sockets.

All of our vessels have the following equipment on board:
Yacht Related VHF Radio GPS Dinghy and outboard motor Cockpit Table Bimini Log and depth-sounder Electric Windlass Refrigerator Roller Furling genoa Boat Hook Signal Horn Bucket with Lanyard Cockpit cushions Through-hull plugs Cigarette Lighter Outlet	Handy Stuff Linens and towels Beach towels Clothes pegs Deck Brush BBQ grill CD Player with saloon and cockpit speakers Binoculars Tool kit Duct tape Galley and cooking utensils Coffee maker Pillows Charts and Cruising Guide Deck cooler Saftey Equipment Adult Life jackets Fire Extinguishers First Aid kit Flare Kit
12V 110 inverter in all Bavaria Yachts 36 and above Autopilot in all Bavaria Yachts 41 and above Roller furling main or fully battened main with Lazy Jacks Upon boarding your yacht, you will find a Complimentary Starter Kit provided for your use by Horizon Yacht Charters. This includes:
Bottle of Rum Bottle of Spring Water Coca Cola Dish Washing Liquid Roll Paper Towel Antibacterial Spray Guest Soaps	Handi-wipes Salt and Pepper One roll toilet tissue per head facility Matches OFF Insect Repellent 2 Trash Bags

We supply linen, towels, toilet tissue, soap and a Welcome Starter Kit. This includes:

Bottle of rum Bottle of spring water One roll toilet tissue per bathroom Matches Insect repellent Handiwipes

Coke Dish liquid Salt, pepper Roll paper towel Guest soaps 2 trash bags

You should pick up your own BBQ coals and lighter fluid if you have not asked us to provision for you.

YES

Yes, all our boats come with a coffee percolator. You need to purchase fresh ground coffee for it.

Yes, we offer an extensive provisioning list, available for download on our website

The supermarkets on Dutch St. Maarten open at 9am and close at 8pm every day (shorter hours for Christmas Day, closed on New Years). Supermarkets on the French side are open from 8 to 8 everyday, (closed Christmas Day and New Years).

Yes

Yes, they accept Visa and MasterCard. They will ask you for picture ID.

There is the Lido supermarket is located 10 minutes away from the base. La Grande Marche and LD supermarkets are bigger and are a 15 minutes walk. Remember to check for all the wonderful French patés, cheeses and wines.

4 bags

In Simpson Bay, Friars Bay, Grand Case and Orient Bay.

Lagoon Marina has the following facilities: Showers, bathrooms, wireless internet, restaurant, laundry and small grocery across the street.

We do not advise that you drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available.

If you are unsure on whether you have the necessary experience to sail the area of your choice, please submit a sailing resume through our website and we will be happy to assist you. As well as full chart and boat briefings to familiarize you with your cruising grounds and yacht, with prior notice, we can also provide a checkout skipper who will be happy to spend an extra couple of hours with you on a one-to-one basis.

We have experienced instructors should you wish to learn to sail or hone your sailing skills. .

We provide professional skippers and cooks at all our bases. Their fees do not include food and beverages and optional gratuity. Crew gratuities are usually based on 10 to 15% of the charter fee.

There are no mooring fees in St. Maarten/ St. Martin. French St. Martin will have day mooring balls in the park areas, scheduled at a later date. In St. Barths, mooring balls are free in Ile Fourche and Colombier, however in the main port of Gustavia there is an anchor fee and mooring ball fee inside the harbour.

The air temperature is around 32 degrees C. and the water temperature is about 28 degrees C.

We have several sample itineraries posted on the St. Martin Itineraries page.Suggested 8 days itinerary:

Day 1: After going out of the lagoon through Simpson Bay opening bridge, take a 2 hours sail to Marigot bay on the French side to familiarize yourself with your yacht. You'll be able to anchor in the bay and visit the typical Creole market, where you'll get fresh fruits in order to complete your provisioning. Then sail away in the sunset and anchor for the night in Happy Bay, where you'll enjoy your first BBQ under the stars.

Day 2: Another short sail to the deserted island of Tintamarre, on the Atlantic side of the island. You'll spend the day on a deserted and otherwise inaccessible beach. You'll be stunned by the beauty of the sunset over the Anguilla channel and you'll be able to swim and snorkel around the wreck of a Spanish Galion Sail.

Day 3: Get ready for the crossing to St Barth, 10 miles from Tintamarre. After ½ a day sailing, you’ll reach L’Anse de Colombier, where you’ll anchor in clear blue waters. You might decide to hike up the hill for an unforgettable panorama of the surrounding islands. Remember to bring your walking shoes!

Day 4:  Anchor your yacht in Gustavia harbor, and discover the charms of St Barth. Check for paparazzi though, as you can easily end up in the latest People magazine issue when walking down the streets of Gustavia. Rent a scooter and ride around the island to discover why St Barth is a world wide jet set rendez vous.

Day 5: A downwind sail from St Barth will lead you to Road Bay, Anguilla where you’ll anchor for the night. After clearing customs, sail to Sandy Island, right off Road Bay, for an unforgettable swim and snorkeling session on its preserved reef. Sail back to Road Bay to enjoy a dinner in a typical Antillean lolo, where you'll be served fresh lobster from the grill.

Day 6: Crossing back the Anguilla channel will bring you to St Martin and Grand Case beach, gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, where you can choose to dine at one of the many French gourmet restaurants.

Day 7: Anchor your yacht in Simpson Bay for the final night. Go ashore and enjoy the lively Caribbean spirit in the numerous jump up parties in the area.

Day 8: A last swim and snorkel before heading back to Simpson bay bridge and return to the base.

Beautiful beaches, friendly people, exciting night life beginning with wonderful restaurants offering cuisine from around the world, besides casinos and discotheques.

Navigation skills should include line-of-sight sailing, basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot a position. Please note that we are in an offshore sailing area and it is prudent to check a weather forecast, to ensure a calm night anchorage.

No, there are no official boat boys.

No, we are not aware of any pirates in our area.

Yes, you will find mosquitoes in the islands and they tend to come out at around dusk. Please use the complimentary can of OFF to spray on your exposed limbs (not on your face).

No, we don't provide nets but the spray is effective. If you are prone to mosquito bites, then please take advice from your doctor before you leave home.

You can rent snorkel equipment from the base. Alternatively, to ensure best fit, you can bring your own.

We can arrange diving courses with a number of scuba diving schools on the Dutch or French St. Martin and in St. Barths.

Kayaks and windsurfers are available for rental.

While many of our owners do not allow their yachts to be raced, we have several yachts available.

Yes. You will need to use either your own phone or the complimentary HYC cell phone to enable communications between the base and the vessel for the duration of your charter. This is a Horizon Yacht Charter requirement to ensure your safety whilst out at sea, in the event of emergency and to enable us to relay any messages that you may receive.

It is advisable to check with your provider before you travel - mentioning each of the Caribbean islands that you intend to visit as this will make a difference.

This is a prepaid service with complementary 5 Euros of credit installed in it and you may purchase extra cards at the base or numerous retail stores around the island.

The range tends to be around 4 miles offshore.

This will vary on where you are calling and at what time. A good test is to check how many funds are on the phone before you make the call, and then check how much is left after you have completed your call.

Yes, this is international law.

This is obligatory especially if you wish to visit the French islands.

No, just your passport and a return ticket. Please note if your country requires you to have a visa to visit French territories, please obtain one, if you wish to visit St. Barths.

Previous guests have brought frozen meat through customs and have had no problem.