Cole Bay
Cole Bay inner lagoon · Cole Bay residential anchorage
18°01.9'N 63°05.2'W
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
55m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
55m
55m for excellent holding in 2–4m mud/sand. Cole Bay is within the lagoon — fully enclosed and sheltered from all directions. Standard 55m alarm is ample. The mud bottom provides exceptional holding; anchor drag is very unusual.
About This Anchorage
Cole Bay is the quieter residential section of Sint Maarten's southern lagoon shore, east of the main marina areas at Simpson Bay. Accessed via the Simpson Bay Bridge and the inner lagoon channel (2.5m marked depth — shoaling reported; proceed carefully in vessels drawing over 1.5m), Cole Bay offers fully sheltered anchorage in 2–4m of soft mud and sand with excellent holding. The area is lined with Dutch Caribbean residential properties rather than marinas — quieter, less congested, and with a more local atmosphere than the busy marina side to the west. No dedicated facilities (water, fuel, restaurants) directly on the Cole Bay shore — dinghy or water taxi to the main marina area for provisioning. A good choice for sailors wanting lagoon shelter without the marina crowd.
Protected From
N · S · E · W · NE · NW · SE · SW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Weekly mooring fee applies to all Sint Maarten waters
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- No mooring buoys
Restrictions: Dutch customs clearance required; inner channel 2.5m — shoaling reported; weekly mooring fees apply; respect residential property — do not land on private property; no loud music or disturbance in residential anchorage.
Hazards
- !Inner channel shoaling: 2.5m marked channel between Simpson Bay Bridge and Cole Bay — shoaling reported; vessels >1.5m draft proceed carefully
- !Residential area: no facilities; respect private property on shore
- !Simpson Bay Bridge transit required for access — fees and schedule apply
Skipper's Tips
- →Excellent choice for sailors wanting lagoon shelter with a quieter, less crowded atmosphere than the marina areas
- →Mud bottom means excellent holding — anchor drag is very rare; 55m alarm with good scope is ample
- →Dinghy west along the lagoon shore to the main marina and restaurant areas (2nm) for provisioning and dining
- →The residential setting means quieter nights than near the marinas — good for early departure mornings
Facilities
No facilities directly in Cole Bay. Dinghy or water taxi 2nm west to Simpson Bay marina area for complete provisioning, fuel, restaurants.
Nearest provisions: Simpson Bay marina area (2nm west in lagoon) (2nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Year-round anchorage within the lagoon. Hurricane season June–November: the lagoon is used as a hurricane hole but no lagoon anchorage survived Hurricane Irma (2017) undamaged.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 55m
Philipsburg Great Bay is exposed to southerly swell — anchor drag overnight can put you ashore before you wake. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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