St. Martin Yacht Charters

When it comes to cruising in St Martin, the trade winds typically blow from the northeast to east, November through March, and east to southeast April through October, ranging from 10 to 25 knots. They are the power behind the north equatorial current, which usually isn’t a factor except where it intensifies around the ends of some islands. Tidal currents are weak due to the slight tidal range of about 1.5 feet, making St Martin a great choice for those exploring where to sail in winter.

One of the things that sets a St Martin yacht charter apart from other sailing destinations is the incredible variety of sporting and adrenaline-charged activities available to visitors. Whether you get your thrills zipping across the waves on a jet ski, exploring the mysterious wonder of the ocean depths, or hiking to the top of a windswept peak for a breathtaking view of the Caribbean, a St Martin sailing charter has something for every adventurous traveler.

For those who prefer a slower vacation, the scenic beauty of St Martin is also unparalleled. Majestic cliffs, lush green landscapes, and breathtaking sunsets create a picturesque backdrop for your sailing vacation. From relaxing on deck and taking in the magnificent sights, to immersing yourself in the fascinating French and Dutch cultures, a St Martin yacht charter is sure to captivate your senses and create lasting memories.

As there are so many fantastic places to explore in and around St Martin, you might be wondering where to begin and what your St Martin yacht charter itinerary should look like. 

The route of your St Martin yacht charter is entirely your choice. You could spend a week exploring the northern Leeward Islands of St. Martin, Anguilla and St Barth and sail no more than 21 nautical miles in one day., enjoying leisurely travels and sojourns ashore to shop, sightsee, and sample gourmet fare in upscale restaurants. You could also lengthen the chartering range to include a mix of long and short passages, giving you the opportunity to experience cruising farther south to the picturesque islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, and Antigua.

If you hire a skipper to support you with navigating the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, they can share their expertise with you on the best routes to sail, offering local knowledge and tricks of the trade. (see St. Martin maps). Combining open-water, down-island romps in fair winds with pleasant days of island-hopping a short distance to swim, snorkel, and relax in secluded anchorages is just one of many delights when cruising the Leeward Islands.

Please note: Current itinerary options may vary due to government COVID travel regulations in this destination.

The Leeward Islands that include the island of St Martin are constantly cooled by trade winds, so it’s comfortable to visit them at any time of the year. From the sailors’ point of view the most brisk sailing is around December time and the lightest is in the middle of the hurricane season. For more information, read our guide to learn the best time to sail in the Caribbean.

Similarly to Antigua and many of our other Caribbean destinations, a St Martin yacht charter offers a wonderful Winter getaway, with the peak time to visit considered January-June. Looking for a relaxing Summer vacation? Browse our Mediterranean destinations, including Athens in Greece and Sicily in Italy.

Thanks to our impressive fleet of state-of-the-art sailing catamarans and monohulls, island hopping during your St Martin yacht charter couldn’t be easier.

A typical St. Martin charter itinerary may include:

• St Martin
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St. Eustatius
• St Barts
• Anguilla

Over the course of your St Martin yacht charter, you will have the unique opportunity to set sail around many of these islands, enjoying a whistlestop tour of the treasures they have to offer.
If you are looking for an idyllic Caribbean sailing vacation but would prefer to explore the Windward Islands, take a look at our St Lucia and Grenada yacht charters. The US Virgin Islands are also very popular as a sailing destination in the Leeward Islands.

Our 7-day St Martin yacht charter itinerary takes you to the hidden gems of St Martin, St Barts, Anguilla and Dutch St. Maarten. A week is the perfect length of time to sail around each island, enjoy exhilarating excursions, and also relax and unwind on the many stunning beaches.
However, if you’d like to sail further afield to other Leeward Islands, such as the BVI and Antigua, you may choose to extend your St Martin sailing charter for longer.

• Moor up and experience the natural beauty of the island on foot. There are 25 miles of clearly defined footpaths running through the mountains and along the shore, revealing some truly spectacular panoramas.
• Windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, and jet skiing are activities that are regularly offered at the more popular beaches and in the inland lagoons. Love water-based activities? Take a look at our watersports options to see what’s available for your St Martin yacht charter.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and spend the afternoon wandering around Marigot Market – open Wednesdays.
• Soak up the sun on the sensational golden sands of Orient Bay Beach.
• Channel your inner underwater explorer and uncover hidden treasures on a scuba diving excursion.

The Leeward Islands have one of the most pleasant climates in the entire Caribbean, with average year-round temperatures holding at about 80°F (26°C), and rainfall totalling an average of 45 inches (1143 mm) yearly.

Winds are the Easterly Trades generally at 10 to 20 knots, lighter in the summer months, during the hurricane season, between August and September. The stronger Christmas winds blow for a couple of weeks in winter and can be up around 25 to 30 knots. During these couple of weeks a north-east swell dominates above 8–9 ft.

Visibility is generally excellent and on very clear days you can see the islands of Saba, St Eustatius (Statia), St Christopher (St Kitts) and even Nevis, some 60 miles to the south-east. Fog is unheard of but occasionally haze, especially from August to October, can reduce visibility to 15 miles or so.

Similarly to Antigua, Grenada, the BVI and Belize, the tidal range is very small: 30 cm to 60 cm (one to two feet) including the variation of level due to atmospheric pressure and dominant winds.

As you embark on your peaceful, tranquil St Martin yacht charter, we will provide you with a weather forecast for the next 24 hours. We will also provide a listing of stations that broadcast weather.

You can obtain the weather forecast at any time by:

• Calling Météo France: 08 92 68 08 08
• Listening to LASER 101.5 FM radio for local weather at 7.45 a.m. and 8.15 a.m. (English)
• Listening to Radio Transat 106.1 FM which broadcasts weather every hour/day 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (French).
• NEW: VHF channel 64 at 9.00 a.m., 12.00 a.m., 8.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. (French).