St. Martin isn't just a destination; it's the engine room of the Leeward Islands charter fleet. For any serious Caribbean itinerary, this dual-nation island is the strategic starting block, offering unparalleled logistics and the best flight access in the region. We don't come here to stay; we come here to begin.
The cruising ground
Think of Sint Maarten (the Dutch side) as the operational hub and St. Martin (the French side) as the onboard amuse-bouche before the main course. The island's true value is its strategic position as the gateway to the jewels of the northeastern Caribbean. From the protected waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon, the glamorous anchorages of St. Barths are a short 15-nautical-mile run to the southeast, and the pristine, white-sand beaches of Anguilla are an even shorter hop north.
This is the classic "milk run" for a reason. The proximity of these three distinct islands allows for a dynamic itinerary without long, arduous passages. You can have breakfast in a chic French café in Marigot, lunch on a deserted Anguillan cay, and be in place for sunset cocktails overlooking Gustavia harbor in St. Barths, all within a 24-hour period. For more ambitious itineraries, St. Kitts and Nevis are a day's sail south, offering a completely different vibe of volcanic landscapes and colonial history. While the island itself has superb day-stops we use to bookend a charter, its primary role is that of the perfect, and perfectly equipped, launchpad.
Bases and clearance
This is where St. Martin / Sint Maarten leaves the competition behind. The logistics are simply unmatched.
Air Access: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side is the best-served airport in the entire region. Direct flights from major hubs in the US (New York, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte), Europe (Paris, Amsterdam), and the UK mean guests can arrive with minimal fuss. The adjacent private jet terminal (FBO) is seamless, allowing for a tarmac-to-tender transfer in under 30 minutes.
Marinas & Berthing: The heart of the action is Simpson Bay Lagoon, a massive, protected body of water on the Dutch side accessed via the Simpson Bay Bridge (note the scheduled openings: 0900, 1130, 1530, 1730 for inbound/outbound traffic). This is where the megayacht fleet berths for the season.
- IGY Isle de Sol: This is the premier superyacht facility, built specifically for the largest vessels. With slips for yachts up to 110 meters, in-slip fueling, and high-end security, it's the address for the 60m+ fleet.
- IGY Simpson Bay Marina: A bustling, world-class marina that can accommodate a huge range of yachts. It's a hub of activity, surrounded by chandleries, brokerages, and crew bars.
- Yacht Club Port de Plaisance: Another top-tier option within the lagoon, offering excellent facilities and a slightly more resort-like feel.
On the French side, Marina Port La Royale in Marigot offers a taste of the Côte d'Azur. It's smaller, priced in Euros, and perfect for yachts looking for a quieter, more European atmosphere, though it can't handle the same scale as the Dutch-side facilities.
Clearance & Logistics: The island's dual-nation status requires some planning. You clear customs and immigration on the side you plan to depart from. For 95% of charters that use SXM as a base to cruise other islands, this means clearing into the Dutch side at either the airport or the police station in Simpson Bay. This is the most efficient path, operating in USD and, crucially, avoiding VAT on the charter fee. French clearance is handled in Marigot.
The island is also a provisioning and technical paradise. Duty-free fuel is readily available. Major marine suppliers like Budget Marine and Island Water World have huge inventories, and expert technical support—from rigging (FKG) to refrigeration—is on hand. If a critical part is needed, it can be flown into SXM and delivered to the yacht faster than anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Where to drop the hook
While the main event is often St. Barths or Anguilla, the island itself offers several world-class anchorages ideal for the first or last day of a charter.
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Grand Case: On the northwestern French coast, this is the undisputed culinary capital of the Caribbean. The long, calm bay provides a perfect anchorage. Guests can tender ashore for an exceptional dinner at restaurants like L'Auberge Gourmande for classic French, or Ocean 82 for fresh seafood with a view. The vibe is sophisticated and food-focused.
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Tintamarre: A small, uninhabited island off the northeast coast that is part of the Réserve Naturelle Saint-Martin. There are no buildings, no bars, just a beautiful beach, excellent snorkeling, and dramatic red cliffs on the eastern side. It's the perfect spot for a quiet afternoon on the water toys or a final, peaceful night at anchor before returning to the bustle of Simpson Bay.
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Pinel Island: Tucked inside Orient Bay, this is the ultimate beach-day destination. A very short tender ride from the yacht anchored in the bay brings you to a protected, shallow beach with two excellent lunch spots: Karibuni and Yellow Beach. It's lively, fun, and great for families. The water is gin-clear and calm.
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Orient Bay: The most famous beach on the island, a long stretch of white sand on the east coast. It's lined with beach clubs, restaurants, and watersports operators. It has a more energetic, party-like atmosphere than Grand Case and is a fantastic spot to spend an afternoon people-watching and enjoying the scene.
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Friar's Bay: A quieter, more low-key alternative to Grand Case, just around the next headland. It has a couple of casual, excellent beach restaurants and a relaxed, local feel.
Weather and season
The charter season in the Leeward Islands is dictated by the Atlantic hurricane season.
Prime Season (December - April): This is the high season. Expect ideal conditions with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). The famous "Christmas Winds"—steady northeasterly trade winds of 15-25 knots—make for exhilarating sailing and keep the humidity low. This is the busiest and most expensive time, especially over the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Shoulder Season (May - June & November): These months can offer excellent value. The crowds are thinner, and the weather is generally still very good, though the winds can be lighter and the chance of a rain shower slightly higher. November is when the fleet returns from the Mediterranean and New England, so yacht availability is excellent.
Closed Season (Late June - October): This is hurricane season. The insurance on charter yachts prohibits them from operating in this zone during these months. The entire professional fleet relocates north to New England or across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. We do not arrange charters in this region during this period.
The right yacht
St. Martin's world-class infrastructure means it can support any type of crewed charter yacht. The choice comes down to the guest's priorities and itinerary.
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Large Motor Yachts (50m - 90m+): Sint Maarten is their natural habitat. Yachts of this size use Isle de Sol as a home base for the season. They offer unparalleled comfort, stability, huge volumes, and an army of crew to cater to every whim. They are perfect for extended families or corporate entertaining, capable of hosting large groups for cocktails in St. Barths or finding total seclusion off Anguilla.
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Mid-Size Motor Yachts (30m - 45m): This is the workhorse of the St. Barths/Anguilla circuit. These yachts are large enough to offer luxury amenities like a jacuzzi, a great selection of water toys, and formal dining, but nimble enough to access most anchorages. They are ideal for one or two families or a group of 8-10 friends.
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Sailing Catamarans (20m - 30m): Increasingly popular, large crewed catamarans offer immense deck space, stability at anchor, and a shallow draft that's perfect for nosing into the beaches at Pinel or Anguilla. They combine the romance of sailing with the comfort and space of a motor yacht.
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Classic Sailing Yachts: For the purist, there's nothing like shutting down the engines and sailing the channel between St. Martin and Anguilla on a classic sloop or ketch. These yachts attract guests who love the journey as much as the destination.
Money
The dual-nation setup has financial implications, but they are straightforward.
Currency: The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) operates in US Dollars (USD). The French side (St. Martin) uses the Euro (EUR). Because the primary marinas, airport, and clearance facilities for charter are on the Dutch side, the vast majority of yacht charter contracts for this region are priced in USD. Onshore, restaurants and shops on the French side will bill in EUR, while those on the Dutch side will bill in USD. Most places accept major credit cards.
Charter Fees: For a one-week charter in high season 2026, expect to budget the following for the base charter fee:
- 35m Motor Yacht (8-10 guests): $120,000 - $180,000 per week
- 50m Motor Yacht (10-12 guests): $250,000 - $400,000 per week
- 70m+ Motor Yacht (12 guests): $600,000 - $1,000,000+ per week
- 25m Sailing Catamaran (8 guests): $80,000 - $120,000 per week
VAT: This is a key advantage. For a charter that begins and ends on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, there is no Value Added Tax (VAT) payable on the charter fee. This represents a significant saving compared to many Mediterranean destinations.
APA and the small print
The charter fee covers the yacht and crew; all other expenses are covered by the APA.
APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance): This is the standard operating procedure in the industry. The APA is typically 30% of the base charter fee for a Caribbean itinerary. This amount is paid to the yacht before the charter and acts as an expense account managed by the captain. It covers all variable costs, including fuel, food and beverages, dockage fees, customs, communications, and any special requests. The captain will keep a detailed, running account, and any unspent funds are returned to you at the end of the charter. If expenses run high, you may be asked to top up the APA mid-charter. A 30% APA is usually sufficient for a standard St. Martin-Anguilla-St. Barths itinerary.
Gratuity: It is customary to offer the crew a gratuity for excellent service. The recommended amount is between 15-20% of the base charter fee, paid to the captain at your discretion at the end of the trip for distribution among the crew.
Delivery Fees: Most yachts will be based in St. Martin for the season, so delivery fees are uncommon. However, if you request a specific yacht that needs to reposition from another island like Antigua, a delivery fee (covering fuel and time) may apply. This will be clarified and agreed upon during booking.
How we'd plan a week
A week-long charter from St. Martin is about maximizing variety. This is the classic itinerary that balances glamour, relaxation, and stunning scenery.
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Day 1: Arrival & French Flavors: Arrive at SXM, where you'll be met and escorted to the yacht at IGY Simpson Bay. After settling in with welcome cocktails, we'll take a short late-afternoon cruise to Grand Case on the French side. The evening is for your first taste of the Caribbean's finest dining, with dinner ashore at your reserved table.
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Day 2: The Pristine Sands of Anguilla: A morning cruise north brings us to Anguilla. We'll clear customs at Road Bay before anchoring off the magnificent arc of Meads Bay. Spend the day enjoying the water toys, swimming in the turquoise water, and having lunch at a celebrated spot like Blanchard's Beach Shack.
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Day 3: Anguillan Exploration: Explore more of Anguilla's 33 beaches. We can head to Shoal Bay East for incredible snorkeling or find a more secluded spot like Little Bay, accessible only by boat. For the afternoon, enjoy sunset cocktails at a chic hotel bar before returning to the yacht for dinner under the stars.
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Day 4: The Run to St. Barths: After breakfast, we make the exhilarating 20-nautical-mile crossing to St. Barths. We'll anchor off the iconic harbor of Gustavia. You can head ashore to explore the designer boutiques or simply watch the world go by from the aft deck. In the evening, the town comes alive; it's the Caribbean's see-and-be-seen hotspot.
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Day 5: Seclusion in St. Barths: Escape the buzz of Gustavia with a move to Anse de Colombier. This protected bay, inaccessible by road, is perfect for hiking, snorkeling with sea turtles, and enjoying a peaceful lunch prepared by your chef. It feels a world away from the glitz of the main town.
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Day 6: Beach Club Bliss & A Quiet Farewell: We'll cruise to Baie de St. Jean, home to the legendary Nikki Beach and Gyp Sea beach clubs. Enjoy a high-energy lunch ashore before a relaxing afternoon cruise back towards St. Martin. We'll drop anchor at uninhabited Tintamarre for a final, tranquil night, enjoying a spectacular farewell dinner on board.
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Day 7: Departure: Enjoy a final morning swim and breakfast at anchor before a short cruise back to Simpson Bay. Disembark at your leisure for your scheduled flight home from SXM, just minutes away.
