Island Global Yachting (IGY) Simpson Bay Marina and Yacht Club Isle de Sol in St. Maarten have been awarded Blue Flag certification, which places both marinas in an international programme that recognises high standards in environmental practices, safety and public access. It is the first time Simpson Bay Marina has received the certification, while Yacht Club Isle de Sol has maintained its accredited status.
The Blue Flag programme is administered locally by the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten Foundation, with international coordination by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Simpson Bay Marina has over 120 slips, including 20 berths for superyachts up to 57.5 metres. The marina offers maintenance, waste disposal and provisioning services, along with crew facilities, a ship’s chandlery, and on-site shopping and dining.
Andy Caballero, general manager at Simpson Bay Marina & Yacht Club Isle de Sol, said: “Receiving the Blue Flag is a tremendous honour for our team. This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability, responsible marine operations and protecting the natural environment that makes Simpson Bay such a special place. We’re proud to uphold these world‑class standards and continue improving the guest experience for everyone who visits our marina.”
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Yacht Club Isle de Sol continues to hold the certification, with its capacity accommodating vessels between 24 and 97 metres, including 40 berths for superyachts. Its services include fueling, pump-out systems, maintenance and provisioning, along with on-site amenities such as a restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool and crew lounge.
Fleur Hermanides, president of EPIC St. Maarten’s Board stated: “We’re delighted to have both IGY marinas now accredited by Blue Flag. Back in 2008, IGY Isle de Sol was our first Blue Flag site on Sint Maarten. Sadly hurricane Irma in 2017 put a halt to all local eco-labels while the island rebuilt and overcame the pandemic impact shortly thereafter. This is therefore quite a milestone, overcoming all set backs, especially considering that accreditation criteria have become more stringent over the years.”
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Hermanides added: “We also would like to recognise IGY for their support of EPIC throughout the years, not just with the eco-labels, but also as a great partner with many of our projects. In addition, EPIC would like to extend gratitude to the Ministry of VROMI for its support of eco-labels on Sint Maarten”.
IGY operates a network of marina destinations across 24 locations in 14 countries, serving more than 10,000 customers each year.
Brian Deher, executive vice president and head of global marina operations, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Simpson Bay Marina team for earning this prestigious recognition. The Blue Flag award underscores our company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, operational excellence and delivering a best‑in‑class marina experience. This milestone reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and reinforces our promise to uphold the highest standards across all our properties.”
Images courtesy of IGY Marinas.
