IGY Simpson Bay Marina and Yacht Club Isle de Sol earn Blue Flag status

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026

Leisure Marine

Simpson Bay Marina

Island Global Yachting (IGY) Simpson Bay Marina and IGY Yacht Club Isle de Sol Marina on the island of St. Maarten have been awarded Blue Flag status.

The Blue Flag programme aims to connect the public with their coastal environment while promoting education, sustainability and responsible tourism. The programme sets stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria, and is awarded only to locations that maintain these high standards continuously.

“Receiving the Blue Flag is a tremendous honour for our team,” says Andy Caballero, general manager at Simpson Bay Marina & Yacht Club Isle de Sol. “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.”

The Blue Flag initiative is locally operated by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten Foundation, although it is an international award overseen by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Fleur Hermanides, president of EPIC St. Maarten’s board, comments: “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.”

Simpson Bay Marina receives the Blue Flag certification for the first time, marking a key milestone in the property’s commitment to environmental excellence.

“We are incredibly proud of the Simpson Bay Marina team for earning this prestigious recognition,” says Brian Deher, executive vice president, head of global marina operations. “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.”