Ten minutes by cab from SXM, Skipjack’s is where SXM regulars send friends for lobster with a lagoon view.
Skipjack’s sits on Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, about a 10–15 minute taxi ride from Princess Juliana International (SXM), and runs in the $$$ range for St Maarten. It’s not in the terminal, so figure at least an hour and a half buffer if you’re eating here before an evening departure. Expect a proper sit‑down seafood dinner, not a 20‑minute airport bite.
The menu leans hard into fresh fish and whole Caribbean lobster, which multiple TripAdvisor reviewers call out as the move. Lobster is usually sold by the pound at market price, so a shared 2–3 lb tail can easily hit US$80–120 before sides. There’s also a daily catch board; asking what just came in that day often gets you a better plate than sticking to the printed mains.
Waterfront tables overlook the Simpson Bay lagoon and marina, with a noticeable difference between the outside deck and the louder interior room when it’s full. If you want a sunset table outside between December and April high season, regulars recommend calling ahead at least a day in advance and asking specifically for a lagoon-side table. Inside is still fine, but expect higher noise when every table is booked.
Common gripes: prices add up fast, especially if everyone orders their own lobster and a couple of cocktails at US$10–15 each. Service can slow down during peak hours from about 7:00–9:00 pm, and it’s not unusual to spend 90 minutes to two hours from sit‑down to check on a busy night. If you’re tight on time before a flight, aim for an early slot around 5:30–6:00 pm.
Veterans flying out of SXM often do Skipjack’s as a “last night” dinner from an airport hotel, sharing one big lobster and a few appetizers to keep the bill sane. Smart move: ask the server straight up, “What’s freshest today?” and build around that instead of defaulting to shrimp pasta or generic grilled options.