Simpsons Bay Lagoon

[TQA]

Does anybody know the current position with regard to accessing the lagoon.

There seems to have been problems with bridges and changes to the fees and rules recently.

I am heading down there soon.

[imagine2frolic]

We were on the hook on the outside of the bridge on the Dutch side. We found it very comfortable. Just for future knowledge for me. They now charge for passing through the bridge?.........i2f

[Faster]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

.....They now charge for passing through the bridge?.........i2f

News to me too....

[Zanshin]

Sure they charge for going through the bridge on both sides. It isn't a bridge fee per se, but a charge for using the lagoon. The fees are charged upon checkin/checkout of your boat, not when you use the bridge. Nowadays you also get charged for staying outside on both the Dutch and French sides, but less than if you go inside. The only real bridge charge is if you want to get a special opening done.

Here is the SLAC Fee Schedule: Fees & Info

[TQA]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

Sure they charge for going through the bridge on both sides. It isn't a bridge fee per se, but a charge for using the lagoon. The fees are charged upon checkin/checkout of your boat, not when you use the bridge. Nowadays you also get charged for staying outside on both the Dutch and French sides, but less than if you go inside. The only real bridge charge is if you want to get a special opening done

Here is the SLAC Fee Schedule: Fees & Info

I had a look at the site you gave and although official I think it is out of date. Due to the number of people moving over to the French side where the costs were less they are supposed to have adjusted the charges. [ I also think the mega yachts were complaining about the price they got charged.]

[aerie]

I anchored on the French side of Simpson Bay Lagoon last month after entering on the Dutch side. I anchored in Simpson Bay to wait for the bridge to open at 1730. There is no fee to use either the French or Dutch entrance, but you do pay a fee to anchor in the lagoon on the Dutch side, which you pay when you clear in. The French are still charging a fee to anchor in Marigot Bay, but I was told the fee is temporary to cover the cost of extra security at the dinghy dock. It's very convenient to clear in at the harbormaster's office at the marina on the French side of the lagoon. I think I paid 5 Euro. I first went to the customs office at the ferry dock, but the officials never showed up after I waited for over an hour. I found the info in the Doyle guide to be accurate.

[Zanshin]

TQA - The charges might have changed a bit, but the site does show the fees. I was there about a month ago but didn't go inside, I anchored in Marigot and paid my fees for anchoring there. I have heard that they keep a very good record of boats inside and boats transiting the bridges, though. The French have a very active twice-daily patrol of Marigot and the French side of the lagoon so that they keep track of their revenue stream.