St Martin Yacht Charter Guide – All You Need To Know!

St. Martin is one of those islands in the Caribbean that has got everything a sailor would ever dream of. Aside from the abundant beautiful beaches, colorful marine life, and captivating natural sceneries, the island boasts amazing cultural infusions and offers excellent opportunities for exciting watersports, making it an idyllic yacht charter destination.

St. Martin sits close to some islands, including Anguilla, Saint Barthelemy (St. Barths), Saba, Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Sint Eustatius. This makes it, particularly, a great spot from which to begin your Caribbean adventures as you hop from one magical island to the next.

But before venturing into this beautiful place, you need to have an idea of how to go about the island and what to expect.

Here is your St. Martin yacht charter guide that will supply you with all the relevant info you need to know so you can have an unforgettable holiday on the water.

 

When to Visit and Climate

St. Martin, just like the rest of the Caribbean islands, experiences a tropical monsoon climate. This means the island is warm all year round, with average temperatures hovering around 25C (77C) in the cold season and 28C( 82C) in the hot season.

Any time of the year is really good to hit St. Martin for a sailing vacation. But the best time to visit the island would be between May and June and/or from November to Mid-December.

These are basically times when rain showers and/or storms are at their minimum, and the various beaches and marinas are less crowded.

 

Types of Yachts

There are many types of yachts-both traditional and modern- available for charter in St. Martin. So different vacationers visiting the island at any time of the year will most certainly have their hedonistic sailing desires fulfilled to the latter.

Here are some of the yacht types you can charter in St. Martin:

 

Sailing Yachts

Sailing yachts are a perfect choice for those who love to cruise the seas at slower speeds, all while enjoying the sheer romanticism of sailing with sails over their heads. The yachts that are chartered here though are not the old traditional ones but the modern-day versions that employ both sails and engines as a means of propulsion. The vessels are sleek and elegant and will no doubt make heads turn whenever you visit or drop anchor.

Sailing yacht on the water

Catamarans

Catamarans are multi-hulled vessels designed to offer charterers increased space, superb comfort, and unimaginable convenience. With a catamaran’s large deck, you have more than enough space to kick back, dine al fresco, and sit outside with friends or family as you sip some wine or enjoy a good social time.

Attire Ideas for yacht party

Motor Yachts

Many charterers in the larger Caribbean region find motor yachts a fantastic option not just because of their incredible speeds but also because of the elegance they exude. On a typical luxury yacht, you can find such amenities onboard as Jacuzzis, pools, flybridges, bars, and more. With a motor yacht’s ability to skim over the waters faster than other vessels, you can explore as many destinations in St. Martin and other neighboring islands as possible for a more memorable charter experience.

Motor Yachts

Activities to Do

Below are some of the most exciting and rewarding activities to engage in while in St. Martin:

 
Stroll In Marigot

Marigot, the capital of the French side of St. Martin, is a town that never disappoints its visitors. Everything from the brightly colored houses to the engrossing scenery from atop a hill through to the quiet, secluded beaches and lots of restaurants scattered around make it a perfect spot to take your strolls to.

 
Hike to Paradise Peak

Peak Paradise Peak, also referred to as Pic Du Paradis, is the highest point of St. Martin island. The trails to the peak are reasonably easy to follow, and you are free to go either by foot or using a 4×4 tour. Once on top, you’ll immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of the western coastline and catch a bird’s eye view of the rest of St. Martin Island.

 
Have a Historical Adventure in Gustavia

A visit to nearby Saint Barthelemy’s capital, Gustavia, will be rewarding not just with amazing landscapes but also with the island’s rich history. You’ll learn how the island was claimed by the French, given to the Swedish people in exchange for trade rights, and then sold back to the French.

When on your historical tour, you can pass by such sites as Fort Karl, Fort Gustav, Fort Oscar, and the museum at Victor Schoelcher Road to learn even more about the St. Baths’ past.

Your trip to Gustavia can never be complete without indulging in delicious American, French, Italian, and other local foods in several restaurants around.

Enjoy Shops and Restaurants at Great Bay

Great Bay, which is located in the vibrant Phillipsburg town, offers endless dining and shopping opportunities to visitors in St.
Martin.

If you want to shop for jewelry, then there are many outlets in town to visit, like House of Jewels, Joe’s Jewelry, AMA Jewelers, Royal Jewelers, and more. There are other shops, such as Glomar’s, Diamond International, Gulmohar’s, and DK Gems International, among others.

In terms of dining, Great Bay has lots of restaurants serving Caribbean-inspired dishes, BBQs, classic burgers, chicken, and more. These dishes are served alongside tasty beers and wines for a more delightful experience.

Dive and Relax At Road Bay

Road Bay is one of the few almost untouched gems in the Caribbean,
boasting amazing marine life too. Here, you can drop anchor and relax as you soak into the picturesque around or dive into the waters for a spectacular underwater experience.

Enjoy Casino and Nightlife

St. Martin’s nightlife is as exciting as ever. With many trendy beach bars, nightclubs, and casinos, you can almost be spoilt for choice on where to go for a night out while on a sailing tour. Amazing spots to check out for great clubs and themed bars include Grand Case, Oyster Pond, Orient Bay, Marigot, and Orient Bay.

 
Snorkel at Prickly Pear Cays

The tiny uninhabited islands of Prickly Pear Cays have spectacular underwater formations and amazing schools of fish to explore. Some of the amazing marine creatures that you can encounter while underwater include sea turtles, butterfly fish, nurse fish, stingrays, and goatfish, among others. Check the tour on Viator.

Philipsburg in St Martin

Shopping

If you love shopping till you drop, then you’ll feel right at home in St. Martins. Phillipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, is home to countless shops and extended outdoor markets selling duty-free goods. 

You can shop for such goods as jewelry, art and craft, leather goods, design products, and exotic foods. The items sold on the island are usually up to 40 percent cheaper than in other places like the US. So you can feel free to shop for as many goods as you can afford to carry.

St Martin Sightseeing Tour

Cuisine

St. Maarten is, without a doubt, the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, at least going by the variety of cuisines it has to offer.

There are more than 300 restaurants on the island serving a range of delectable meals, including BBQ meat and chicken, plus a range of first-class French, Italian, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Tex-Mex, and Chinese cuisines.

The island is also known for its extensive selection of wines and tasty cocktail menus that pair well with the meals served across the various restaurants.

St Martin Cuisine

Best Places to Eat

 
Bistrot Caraibes

Located in Grand Case, Bistrot Caraibes is a restaurant that specializes in French cuisine, Seafood, and European fares. Some of the highlights of the restaurant include Caribbean lobster, sea bass, smoked salmon, and a rack of lamb. Their menu also comes with great appetizers, salads, and desserts that any diner could love.

 
La Villa Restaurant

Also located in Grand Case, this seemingly high-end restaurant is popular for its tasty seafood, mouthwatering French cuisine, and European delicacies. The restaurant’s menu is decorated with a number of amazing dishes like tuna, escargot, filet, and frog legs. Here you can also enjoy tasty amuse bouche, caramel ice cream,
profiteroles and more.

 
L’Auberge Gourmande
St Martin food walking tour

L’Auberge Gourmande restaurant in Grand Case is home to delicious French and European cuisines as well as vegetarian-friendly dishes. A few of the tasty meals served in the restaurant include Dover sole, a rack of lamb, sea bass, foie gras, shrimp, banana nut, and onion soup. Complimentary champagne is also available at L’Auberge Gourmande.


How to Get To St Martin

 
From the US

Take a direct flight from any of the major US airports in New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, etc.) to St. Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).

If you’re in Canada, you can fly directly from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and Halifax to PJIA.

From Europe

You can fly directly from Amsterdam or Paris to Princess Juliana International Airport or take a direct flight to New York’s JFK from any city in Europe, then connect a flight to St. Martin. On the island’s French side of the island, there’s a smaller airport called L’Esperance Airport, which services small jets and propeller planes. So if you’re traveling from the neighboring Caribbean islands, then this latter option can be great.


Visa

US citizens don’t require a Tourist Visa to enter the St. Martin territory. However, they need to have a US passport that’s valid for a
minimum of six (6) months from the date you’re planning to depart to St. Martin.

All EU citizens also do NOT require a Caribbean Visa to enter St. Martin. Holders of a valid residence permit for the Schengen Area, UK, Switzerland, and Ireland are exempted from Visa requirements.

What to Pack

Some of the things you need to carry on your trip or tour to St. Martin Island include lightweight clothing (it is warm there), a pair of boat shoes, a hat, and a pair of sailing sunglasses. You might also need to bring along a waterproof backpack for carrying snacks and blankets in case you’re planning to have little picnics on the island as you sail around.

 

Conclusion

From this guide, it’s clear there are endless activities to indulge in while on a yacht charter to St. Martin. With that, you should be able to have as much fun as possible. Be sure to check out the hundreds of yachts available for charter on the island and make a booking through a reliable company or broker. This will help you enjoy many conveniences in terms of accommodation and swiftness in getting from one spot on the island to the next.

Want More Boat Charter Tips?

Subscribe to Cruising Sea newsletter to receive every two weeks the latest post straight to your inbox!

12 thoughts on “St Martin Yacht Charter Guide – All You Need To Know!”

  1. Thanks for bringing yet another amazing location for tourists and travelers around the world nothing beats having a vacation in a beautiful country with family and loved one’s I for one has Never been to St Martin and would love to see the beautiful landscape, night life, go shopping and for sure take a cruise on a yacht, but I want to know the cost of taking a cruise at St Martin?

    Reply
    • Hi Seun,

      You are very welcome and thank you for passing by!

      The cost of a yacht charter will depend on many factors such as the age of the yacht, the duration of the trip, the charter type to name a few. And of course, can rise according to your requirements. If you are on a budget, there are affordable boats that cost around t $5000 with four cabins including a skipper for seven days.

      And the cost can be reduced by renting the boat with other friends, which many people do.

      I hope it helped. Please, let me know if you need help, I’ll be more than happy to assist.

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

      Reply
  2. You paint a wonderful picture of St. Martin. Around 45 years ago I gave some serious thought to going there.  I was interested in the mixture of cultures.  Recently I have been writing reviews of the scuba diving around the Caribbean.  There are some liveaboards that hit certain of the Islands, but not St. Martin, as far as I know.  Are any of your vessels involved with liveaboard scuba diving?  I’d be interested in getting any details to see if I can arrange diving charters.  Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi there,

      Thank you! I am glad you liked the post! 

      The yachts listed on the article have nothing to do with Liveboards. These are independent boats, and many of them offer a diving class on board. If you have a license, you can indeed use the material to dive on your own.

      Please, don’t hesitate to contact me with any question, I’ll be more than happy to help.

      Thnak you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

      Reply
  3.  That sounds great at 77°C for good weather all year around. Sounds like I will have to plan a charter trip give my boat and go and explore these parts of the islands. This educational experience will also help me to relax and enjoy my vacation. The catamaran yacht feels like the epitome of luxury

    Reply
    • Hi Andrew,

      Yes, St Martin is a place not to miss! Great weather, fun attraction, beach, blue water, and friendly people. What more could ask for?

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a great day!

      Reply
  4. The images alone from your post are enough to convince me that I need to get to St. Martin Island, whether for a yacht charter trip or otherwise. They are beautiful and the place looks like a wonderful place to spend some relaxing time. This yacht guide is helpful for sure.

    There seems to be more than enough activities to do, and the weather is perfect too. I would travel there any time of the year but have noted your recommended times to travel there. I did not see any prices mentioned, but likely they are competitive with the market in the Caribbean and other nearby islands. Is that correct? 

    In my own case, I would likely want to fly between the islands since I am not trained to use yachts, sailboats and the like. It has been years since I have driven a boat (I am talking like over 30 years!). I will bookmark this page and see what my wife thinks. We have only been in Puerto Rico so far (and Mexico), and this might be the next stop.

    Thanks for a great guide that we can use and thanks for including these images too! They were as powerful selling points as the rest of the content (it was all good!). 

    Reply
    • Hi Dave,

      Everything is relative in life. St Martin can be expensive for some people and not at all for others. Anyway, the Bahamas, Caymans, St Barth, Anguilla, St Lucia, and Barbados are quite expensive compared to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
      Thank you for bookmarking the article, I really appreciate it!

      If you need any help. Please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll be more than happy to assist.

      I wish you a wonderful day.

      Reply
  5. Wow! That looks like a beautiful island get away. Although I’m not a huge sailor, I’m curious about the wildlife there? Is it more of a tourist attraction for sailors or does it have places to go bird watching or nature preserves? I’m scared of scuba diving but love visiting with nature and wildlife on the land.

    Thanks so much for the article

    Reply
    • Hi Jade,

      To answer your question, St Martin and the British Virgin Islands are one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Caribbean. Everyone can enjoy at St Martin, whether sailors or tourists. There are Museums, casino, stores, and natures preserves, too.

      I hope it helped.

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

      Reply
  6. Hi Daniella,

    Water sports and snorkelling during the day, while being able to hit the casino in the evening sounds ideal to me! You’ve listed quite a few different jewellery stores, would I be right in thinking that the quality of jewellery there is high? Our next holiday is the one where I plan to pop the question. I thought doing so with a “local piece” could be the winning touch so to speak.

    Reply
    • Hi Nate,

      Indeed, it is fun to enjoy all sorts of water sports during the day and in the evening enjoy the nightlife. Yes, you are right, there are some good stores that sell high-quality Jewelry in St Martin. If you plan to head to St Martin, I hope this guide will help you organize your trip.

      Please, don’t hesitate to contact me with any question. I am always happy to assist.

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

      Reply

Leave a Comment