Travel to St. Martin to experience great sailing and cultural duality like no other. It’s the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent countries— boasting two clearly separate sides: French St. Martin in the north and Dutch St. Maarten in the south. This distinction makes the Leeward Island a delightful combination of sophistication and relaxation, enjoyed by diverse groups of vacationers and sailors.
With sunny, 80 °F weather being the region’s norm, it’s a rather popular getaway. Compared to some other island escapes, Saint Martin’s offers some ports and surrounding villages that are extremely developed, offering dining, shopping and entertainment beyond the waters. Anchor at the chic harbours of St. Barts or St. Kitts and the incredible beaches of Anguilla.
St. Martin and the Leeward Islands are a sailor’s Caribbean dream— a destination for bareboaters and crewed yacht charters alike. Many of the islands are dotted far enough apart to enjoy scenic three or four-hour sails, while others are close enough for same-day excursions. Explore all this romantic destination has to offer, whether you choose to hit the sea solo or book an all-inclusive sailing vacation.
There’s a reason celebrities escape to stunning St. Martin and its surrounding islands for their luxurious getaways. This Leeward Island and close neighboring islands— Anguilla and St. Barths— offer lush palm-swaying beaches and miles upon miles of striking blue waters to explore, plus high-end shopping and irresistible French plates.
Perfect your balance on a paddleboard or build a grand sandcastle on the white sand. With a number of lively events and thrilling activities for those of all ages, the whole family is sure to fall in love with these sailing grounds on your St. Martin yacht charter.
Annual events in St. Martin often celebrate the region’s cultural heritage with lively music, delicious ethnic food and interactive land and water activities. In fact, St. Martin hosts one of the most well known sailing races: the Heineken Regatta. Depending on the month you visit, you can join in on unique competitions, dance shows, parades and more. Enjoy the French Caribbean like a local. Mark your calendars, early, to get in on the exotic fun!
| January Peace Concert Pool Party Loterie Farm International Female Tennis Tournament |
February Harmony Nights Pool Party Loterie Farm St. Martin Carnival |
March Arrow Root Jollification Heineken Regatta SXM Music Festival |
| April DP Dance Salsa Festival Dutch Side Carnival Endemic Animal Festival |
May Fish Day Saint Louis & Rambaud Fête Festival of the Sea |
June Billfish Tournament World Music Day Laugh till Belly Burst XV |
| July Bastille Day Grand Case Fête Oualichi Festival |
August Sandy Ground Village Celebration Day SXM Best Weekend |
September Heritage Day World Tourism Day |
| October Body Building Tournament |
November Caribbean Tourism Day Tourism Caribbean Month Saint Martin’s Day |
December Saint Martin Christmas Serenade Festival Grand Case Lighting Parade |
Enjoy that wonderful Lesser Antilles weather on your St. Martin yacht charter, no matter when you set sail. The island and surrounding regions in the Caribbean experience temperatures averaging 80°F and are kissed by breezy, cool trade winds year round— which helps to cut the heat.
While vacationers visit this Leeward Island every month of the year, December through April is typically the best time for sailing. December in particular is a coveted St. Martin vacation month, usually the best time for refreshing winds. Fog is nearly unheard of here, and visibility is usually crystal clear during this island’s most heavily traveled period.
June begins the region’s hurricane season, and rain showers are more common from summer throughout October. While some charters still enjoy cruising the waters during this time, conditions aren’t always ideal. Book your charter ahead of time to hit the Caribbean when cruising conditions are just right.
| Temp Max (°F) | Temp Min (°F) | Avg. Water Temp (°F) |
Avg. Rainfall (in) |
Avg. Wind Speed (kts) |
|
| January | 83 | 75 | 77 | 2 | E 15-20 |
| February | 83 | 75 | 77 | 2 | E 15-20 |
| March | 83 | 75 | 78 | 2 | E 15-20 |
| April | 84 | 77 | 80 | 3 | E 15-20 |
| May | 86 | 78 | 82 | 4 | SE 15-20 |
| June | 88 | 80 | 83 | 3 | SE 15-20 |
| July | 88 | 80 | 84 | 3 | SE 15-20 |
| August | 88 | 80 | 85 | 5 | SE 15-20 |
| September | 88 | 80 | 84 | 5 | SE 15-20 |
| October | 87 | 80 | 83 | 4 | SE 15-20 |
| November | 85 | 78 | 82 | 5 | NE 15-20 |
| December | 83 | 76 | 80 | 4 | NE 15-20 |
Philipsburg, not far from the International airport and the hub of Sint Maarten on the Dutch side, is a convenient spot to join your yacht. Arrive a day early to take advantage of the unmatched duty-free shopping, nightlife, and casinos.
Sail away on your luxury yacht around the eastern coast of the French West Indies, St. Martin, once you’ve settled in and then enjoy the fresh mild breezes. At Orient Beach or Ile Pinel, a fantasy of stunning sandy cays, take your first splash in the warm inviting aquamarine water. Unwind with a tropical drink and take in an unforgettable island sunset. Enjoy a delicious meal in the open air cockpit with panoramic views of the ocean. Yes, you have arrived!
Take a short sail to Tintamarre, a little island off the coast of French St. Martin. Snorkel the reef in the protected marine preserve and interact with the colorful marine life. Over lunch, share your underwater adventures and take some time to recharge for an afternoon walk on the island with the goats.
Sail back to French St. Martin in the afternoon for a night on the town in Marigot Bay, a little French-style village. Smell the aromas of freshly made breads and pastries drifting from cafes and bistros. Stop for some wine and cheese, or shop for direct-from-Paris clothing and perfumes. Alternatively, go on to Grande Case, a historic fishing village with exquisite West Indian buildings housing art galleries and gourmet restaurants, a gourmand’s delight. These Creole settlements are a lovely blend of old-world France and modern world West Indies.
Sail to Anguilla for a change of pace and to see the pristine Caribbean at its best. Charming villages, tranquil ports, and long expanses of white powdery beaches abound on this unspoiled island. Anchor in Road Town, the major harbor, where skilled craftsmen have been building local dinghies and trading boats for decades. These are some of the most beautifully crafted vessels in the West Indies for sailing. Before proceeding to your anchoring in Crocus Bay, the captain will check in with customs while you eat lunch aboard.
Snorkel beneath the cliffs at Flat Cap Point, which is part of a marine protected reserve. At sunset, watch pelicans dive for food or see some endangered tropical birds that nest on the island perform a fascinating mating ritual.
The Prickly Pear Cays and Seal Island Reefs are only a short sail away. With crystal clear water and vibrantly colorful live reefs, this is an excellent scuba diving and snorkeling destination.
Get an early start towards Ile de la Fourche, a small island off the coast of St. Barts. Wild goat herds are the most visible residents on this remote island’s cactus-covered rocky highlands. Enjoy an afternoon of snorkeling while keeping a watch out for the sea turtles that frequent this area. As the sun sets, climb to the summit of one of Fourche’s five peaks for a 360-degree view of the Leeward Islands. Look for humpback whales migrating south if you visit in the spring.
Only a short journey south will take you to the French island of St. Barthelemy (St Barts). Anchor in Gustavia Harbor, a charming Swedish village (remnant of the original Swedish colony). The remains of the motoryacht “Nonstop,” which sank in a storm, can be snorkeled here.
Step ashore to peruse the posh stores, or rent a Moke to explore the remote beaches (St. Barths is famous for its “clothing optional” beaches), and marvel at the stunning houses carved into the slopes. In the evening, you might want to sample the nightlife of St. Barts, the Caribbean’s St. Tropez. Wine and laughter, as well as some frenetic Caribbean dancing.
Sail over to Anse de Colombier, which encompasses a beautiful beach that can only be reached by boat. You will find this to be a peaceful anchorage where you can snorkel, kayak, waterski, or simply relax in the sun.
Stay in Colombier and enjoy the peace and tranquility, or sail back to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which is only two hours away, for an evening on Dutch St. Maarten or one last fantastic shopping spree or visit one of Philipsburg’s many casinos and piano bars.
Enjoy one last invigorating swim and then a delicious breakfast on deck. It’s time to head back to marina, but you will want to return soon to explore another area of the beautiful Caribbean.
Traveling to St. Martin is a lot easier than you might think. Most sailors fly right into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), flying with Delta, American Airlines, Spirit, United or other popular U.S. airlines. From the airport, it’s a short taxi ride to one of the main marinas, where you’ll board the yacht to start your charter. With such a close proximity from your arrival to your sail, there’s less waiting and more exploring on this trip.
Our team at VI Sailing can also recommend lodging and land excursions, should you want to extend your vacation, as well as to provide options for trip insurance for your Saint Martin yacht charter.
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