St. Martin Catamaran Charter: Twin-Nation Sailing Hub of the Northern Caribbean

St. Martin Catamaran Charter: Twin-Nation Sailing Hub of the Northern Caribbean

St. Martin is the only Caribbean island split between two sovereign nations — French Saint-Martin in the north, Dutch Sint Maarten in the south — and its position at the centre of the Leeward Islands has made it the busiest charter hub in the northern Caribbean for forty years. From Simpson Bay’s massive lagoon, you reach Anguilla in 90 minutes, St. Barts in three hours, and Saba in four. That radial geography turns a 7-day catamaran charter into a sampler of five distinct Caribbean cultures without ever sailing more than 25 nm in a day.

Why St. Martin suits a catamaran charter

Simpson Bay Lagoon is the deepwater, hurricane-protected anchorage that anchors the charter base. Catamarans tied up here can ride out heavy weather; bareboats are turnover-ready in 4 hours; provisioning at the major supermarkets is walk-from-the-marina. Day-sail destinations radiate in five different directions: north to Anguilla, east to St. Barts, south-east to Saba and Statia, north-east to St. Kitts and Nevis, and west to The British Virgins.

Charter bases on St. Martin

Simpson Bay (Dutch side) — the oldest and largest charter base, home to The Moorings, Sunsail, and Dream Yacht. Marigot Bay (French side) — smaller, more boutique, walking distance to the French open-air market and bakeries. Both sides share the lagoon; you can move boats between them by tendering through the lift-bridge schedule.

The classic 7-day St. Martin radial route

Day 1: Simpson Bay to Anguilla

14 nm north to Anguilla — a sovereign British Overseas Territory with the Caribbean’s most pristine beaches. Anchor in Road Bay (the official port of entry). The afternoon at Sandy Ground for swim and lunch at Roy’s Bayside Grill. The pre-dinner stop at Veya is one of the Caribbean’s most acclaimed restaurants — book ahead.

Day 2: Anguilla to Prickly Pear Cays

4 nm north-east to the uninhabited Prickly Pear Cays — Caribbean reef-protected anchorages with no facilities and absolutely no other charter boats most weekdays. Beach lunch from the boat. Afternoon return south to Sandy Ground.

Day 3: Anguilla to St. Barts

20 nm south-east. St. Barts is the wealthy, French-flag, no-pretensions celebrity hideaway. Anchor in Gustavia harbour or the more protected Anse de Colombier. Walk Gustavia’s Saint-Barthélemy district; eat at Eddy’s in the harbour for crab beignet and a Tariquet white. The Friday lunch at Le Toiny on the windward coast is the destination meal.

Day 4-5: St. Barts to Saba

A 28 nm reach south-east to Saba, the most dramatic island in the Caribbean — a 877 m volcano poking out of deep blue water. The single anchorage, Wells Bay (no holding), is for daytime use only. Move to a mooring at the Saba Marine Park for the night. Walk the Mt. Scenery trail (4 hours round-trip, 1,064 stone steps to the summit). Eat at Brigadoon in Windwardside village. Saba’s wreck and pinnacle dives are world-class — book a half-day with Sea Saba.

Day 6: Saba to St. Eustatius (Statia)

15 nm north to St. Eustatius, the quiet Dutch sister island. Anchor in Oranje Bay; walk to the Lower Town’s restored ruins of the 18th-century Dutch trading post. Lunch at Ocean View Terrace. Afternoon dive at the Statia Marine Park’s Anchor Reef.

Day 7: Statia to St. Martin

30 nm north-west back to Simpson Bay for Saturday turnover.

Catamaran types and pricing

St. Martin’s fleet skews newer than most Caribbean grounds — many boats are 2022 to 2025 Lagoon 46s, Bali 4.6s, and Fountaine Pajot Saona 47s. Bareboat shoulder (June, October, November): USD 7,500 to 11,500 a week. Peak (mid-December through April): USD 13,000 to 19,500. Crewed packages: USD 5,500 to 7,500.

Customs and duty considerations

St. Martin is duty-free; provisioning, alcohol, and onboard equipment cost noticeably less here than in BVI or Antigua. The savings on a week’s wine cellar can be USD 150 to 300. However, every neighbouring island (Anguilla, St. Barts, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts) is a separate jurisdiction requiring customs clearance — plan one half-day for clearance procedures across the week.

French and Dutch food

The dual-nation reality plays out in the food. The Dutch side leans heavier — Indonesian-influenced bami goreng, Dutch pancakes (pannekoeken), satay chicken — and the French side lean classic-French — confit duck, cassoulet de morue, baguettes from Sarafina’s in Marigot. Wine, both sides: serious lists of French Burgundies and Bordeaux at duty-free pricing. Rum: the Dutch side’s Topper’s Rhum distillery in Cole Bay does walk-in tastings.

On Anguilla, the dishes to seek out: spicy chicken at Smokey’s at the Cove, lobster at Lobster Loft. On St. Barts: the croque monsieur at L’Isoletta, oysters at L’Hibiscus.

Comparison with BVI and other northern Caribbean grounds

St. Martin is the more sophisticated, restaurant-driven, and culturally varied alternative to the BVI’s mooring-ball density. The day legs are similar (10 to 25 nm) but the destinations are sovereign nations with their own languages, currencies, and food cultures rather than 60 cays of one British Territory. For first-time Caribbean charters, BVI is the gentler week; for sailors who’ve done the BVI, St. Martin is the obvious next step.

For destination data, see our Caribbean destinations overview. Browse the Caribbean catamaran fleet, or request a personalised quote for St. Martin.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need separate customs for each island?

Yes. Anguilla, St. Barts, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts — each is a separate sovereign or constituent jurisdiction with its own clearance procedures. Plan 30 to 60 minutes per stop for entry/exit. Customs fees range USD 30 to 90 per island. Bring boat papers, all crew passports, crew list with full details.

Which side is better — French or Dutch?

It depends on the week’s priorities. The Dutch side (Simpson Bay) has the larger fleet, busier nightlife, easier provisioning, duty-free shopping. The French side (Marigot) has the better restaurants, the open-air market, and a more residential feel. Most catamaran charters base on the Dutch side and tender across the lagoon to French-side dinners.

What’s the airport situation?

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side serves the entire island and surrounding Leewards. Direct flights from major US cities (JFK, ATL, MIA), London Gatwick, Paris CDG, and Amsterdam. Beach landings at Maho Beach are the iconic photo opportunity — the runway threshold is just metres from the water.

Is St. Barts worth the visit?

Yes — but for what’s offered, not what’s promised. St. Barts is small (24 km²), expensive (lunch easily USD 90 per person), but walkable Gustavia is one of the prettiest Caribbean harbour towns and the leeward beaches (Saline, Gouverneur) are uncrowded most weekdays. Book restaurants 2-3 weeks ahead in season.

About this guide

This guide was prepared by the Catamaran Charter Caribbean editorial team — charter brokers and sailors who have been organising yacht charters from St. Martin since 2007. Every anchorage, restaurant, and pricing range reflects current first-hand fleet experience and partnerships with Simpson Bay charter operators. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.catamaran-charter-caribbean.com/contact.