St. Martin Sailing Itinerary

A St Martin cruising itinerary has many possibilities.

You could sail up to 21 nautical miles a day and discover excellent spots for eating, shopping, and sightseeing. With the Leeward islands on your doorstep, you could sail out and visit the picturesque islands of St Kitts, Nevis and Antigua. The best beaches in St Martin are found across both the French and Dutch sides, featuring excellent spots for fishing, snorkelling and diving. You could sail through the open waters and spend your days island-hopping, exploring secluded anchorages with many delights to offer. 

Our St Martin sailing itinerary at a glance

We have a host of recommendations for a sailing trip in St Martin – there are so many treasures to discover both on land and at sea. This St Martin sailing itinerary covers just a few of our favorites, including:

• Marigot
• Orient Bay
• Gustavia
• Anse de Colombier
• Great Bay, Philipsburg
• Road Bay
• Crocus Bay

For more recommendations, read our blogs on our Top Picks for St Martin and Activities to do in St Martin.

St. Martin Yacht charter – 7 day itinerary

Day 1

Marigot

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

No moorings are available. The anchorage is south of Marina Fort-Louis. There’s plenty of space and the holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Restaurants and shopping are the main attractions in Marigot.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, water, showers, ice, laundry facilities, provisions, Internet access, banks, taxis, and car rentals are available.

Day 2

Orient Bay

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

No moorings are available. Orient Bay is wide open to the east. However, there are two good anchorages. The small anchorage on the west side of Ile Pinel is snug and quiet at night with good holding, and far from the hustle to the south at Green Cay.  At Green Cay, the anchorage is also on the west side. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at Ile Pinel and Green Cay.

Things to do

Ile Pinel is mostly secluded, though there are beachside shacks where you can rent windsurfing and other watersports equipment. Snacks and soft drinks are available, and you can arrange a ride in an ultralight aircraft for some incredible, and heart-racing, views. There are also a few restaurants and shops within walking distance of the dinghy docks. On Green Cay, nude sunbathing is popular on the eastern stretch of Orient Beach; elsewhere, swimsuits are more in vogue. Windsurfing and other watersports are popular. Rentals are available. A number of restaurants are on the waterfront and provide a good place to enjoy a convivial atmosphere.

Facilities

Ice is available.

Day 3

Gustavia

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

Moorings are available for a fee. The anchorage is extensive and often crowded at the peak of the winter season. The bottom is weedy in some places. Make certain your anchor is well dug.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The boutiques and restaurants are the main attraction of Gustavia, apart from its picturesque town and wonderful French culture. A hike up the hills to the lighthouse at Fort Gustav is well worth it for the views. You can also climb the steps up Fort Karl.

Facilities

Water, ice, showers, garbage disposal, provisions, taxis, car rentals, and Internet access are available.

Day 4

Anse de Colombier

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

Moorings are available at no charge. There is plenty of room to anchor. Holding is good in sand.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available. Beach the dinghy.

Things to do

Snorkeling is popular in the bay and is good most everywhere. In calm conditions, the rocks surrounding Ile de la Pointe, which hems in the bay to the south, are a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving. South of that is an inlet where sea turtles and sea rays are sometimes observed. At the north end of the beach, you’ll find stairs leading to the top of the hills and a scenic trail that meanders through patches of fragrant lilies and cactuses. There are a few shops in the village.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Day 5

Great Bay, Philipsburg

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

No moorings are available. Anchor off the breakwaters of the inner harbor and north of the cruise ship docks. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The shops, restaurants, and casinos are the main attractions of Philipsburg. There is a small museum as well.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, water, showers, ice, laundry facilities, provisions, Internet access, banks, taxicabs, and car rentals are available.

Day 6

Road Bay

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

No moorings are available in Road Bay. Moorings are placed throughout the marine park and are available as part of the cruising permit fee on a first come, first served basis. In Road Bay, there is ample room to anchor, except near the ship dock (keep clear of it). Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants and bars. Johnno’s has live music on weekends. The island is large, with small hamlets and all kinds of interesting shops and restaurants spread out along quiet roads. The main settlement is The Valley. Fantastic beaches are everywhere. Consider renting a car to take an island tour. The bird watching is excellent at Caul’s Pond. Of course, dive excursions to the reefs are available, if you want a guided tour to some of the best spots, including the seven wrecks sunk on the reef to create a habitat for the myriad of tropical fish, sea fans, and corals. Anguilla is sometimes known as the wreck dive capital of the Leeward Islands.

Facilities

Provisions, propane, taxis, car rentals, and Internet access are available.

Day 7

Crocus Bay

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

 

Moorings are available in Little Bay during the day, but not for overnight stays. The anchorage in Crocus Bay is south of Pelican Point. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available. Beach the dinghy.

Things to do

The snorkeling is superb from Pelican Point in Crocus Bay and the beach is excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Just north is Little Bay, which has day use moorings. The colorful 70-foot cliffs are truly splendid and the birds (including lots of pelicans) are plentiful and fun to watch. The main settlement on Anguilla, The Valley, is within walking distance of the beach at Crocus Bay. The Savannah art gallery, which you’ll pass on the way, has a selection of beautiful paintings to admire (or buy). Next to the gallery is Koal Keel, an upmarket restaurant and a good choice for dining ashore.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

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