How to get to Simpson Bay and choose an arrival point
How to get to Simpson Bay depends on the address you are heading for: the village beach, a lagoon-side marina or the neighbouring Pelican area. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is on the Dutch side of the island, near Maho Beach, with an address on Airport Road in Simpson Bay. Start with the full accommodation address rather than the destination name alone.
The airport serves as the arrival point; a marina or tour meeting point is a separate part of the journey. Simpson Bay Beach runs beside the village and airport, while Maho Beach lies at the runway end. Use the guide to accommodation areas to place your address and the Maho Beach guide to understand the airport-side setting.
Taxi and transfer from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)
The airport lists taxis, rental cars, private transfers and hotel shuttles as transport options. For an arrival transfer from SXM to Simpson Bay, give the accommodation name and street address when arranging the journey. Match the meeting instructions to the arrival hall and your flight details, especially if your booking uses a marina or a different entrance as its destination.
The Tourist Bureau's published, undated taxi guide lists SXM to Simpson Bay at 15 USD total for 1 to 2 people, or 7 USD per person for groups of 3 or more. It lists a 25% supplement at night from 22:00 to 06:00 and on official public days off. Extra checked baggage is 5 USD per piece; the first 5 minutes of waiting are free, followed by 5 USD for each 15 minutes. These are taxi-guide figures, separate from a prebooked transfer quotation.
Book a fixed-price transfer from Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) on intui.travel.
A shared transfer for the departure day
The shared hotel-to-airport option is for leaving the island. It includes a one-way shared transfer and a driver. Confirm the exact hotel collection address before booking, then arrange collection around your flight's check-in requirements. Keep those instructions with your departure details rather than with the meeting instructions for your arrival in Simpson Bay.
Airport departure transfer
For departure, this shared transfer takes you from your hotel to the airport.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shared hotel-to-airport departure transfer
Arrange the shared one-way journey from your hotel to the airport for departure, with the exact collection address agreed during booking.
Car rental and parking
Rental desks are near the airport arrival hall. Vehicles may be available on site or reached by shuttle, so follow the collection instructions for the car you reserve. Traffic drives on the right and a valid driving licence is required. Read the rental agreement for licence acceptance, deposit and any planned travel between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin.
At the terminal, pick-up and drop-off zones serve short arrival and departure movements; use the designated car park when parking. The airport's undated published parking information lists 2 USD per half hour, 30 USD per day and 50 USD for a lost ticket. Spaces are allocated on arrival rather than by advance reservation. Around Simpson Bay, parking areas are described near the marinas and Kim Sha Beach; allow time to locate an appropriate space instead of planning around a particular empty bay.
Local buses, Philipsburg and marina departures
Street minibuses connect Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and Maho without formal timetables. The airport states that it has no direct terminal bus service, so treat the street minibus network as a separate local transport choice. For an appointment with luggage, decide whether a taxi or arranged transfer gives you the clearer meeting arrangement.
Philipsburg and its cruise port are distinct destinations from Simpson Bay. Some catamaran cruises depart around Philipsburg, while other boats leave from Simpson Bay marinas. Copy the actual departure address from your chosen trip. The Simpson Bay bridge at the sea entrance and the lagoon Causeway are separate crossings; build some flexibility into your approach rather than relying on a fixed drive time. The tour overview helps match the activity to its starting point.
Questions about reaching Simpson Bay
Which airport serves Simpson Bay?
Princess Juliana International Airport, abbreviated SXM, is on the Dutch side near Maho Beach. Use your full destination address for the onward journey, particularly for a marina or a property in Pelican.
Can I take a bus directly from the terminal?
The airport describes no direct terminal bus service. Local street minibuses serve Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and Maho, with no formal timetables. Arrange the terminal-to-address journey separately.
Is the shared airport transfer an arrival service?
The shared transfer described here goes from the hotel to the airport for departure. For arrival, arrange transport from SXM to your Simpson Bay address and keep the two journeys' collection instructions separate.