St. Martin is one of the world’s smallest islands to be divided between two nations. It’s French and Dutch aspects make for a delightful cultural experience for the sailor to discover.
On Sint Maarten, the Dutch side, travellers can expect excellent nightlife, exotic drinks (rum-based liquors are the favorite), great shopping and fun casinos. There are also of course lovely beaches to enjoy.
The French side of the island, Saint-Martin, offers French-Indian cuisine, which is a lovely blend of traditional cooking techniques with spices and local ingredients. You’ll also find shopping in numerous boutiques including arts and crafts, jewellery and leather goods.
Both sides of the island offer duty-free shopping, meaning you pick up designer brands and local products at excellent prices.
So what’s it like in terms of sailing? We’ve mentioned a few of the land-based delights of the area; this small and mountainous volcanic island is also a beautiful place to explore by boat.
The island as a whole has a balanced mix of nice sheltered cruising and open water sailing to challenge more experienced sailors. Gentle conditions are found during the summer months, while livelier sailing conditions occur in and around December.
The average yearly temperature is a comfortable 80° F or 27° C. Temperatures rarely fall below 68° F or 20° C. There’s actually no definite rainy season, so don’t expect too many showers when sailing in the region.
From St. Martin you can easily sail on to Anguilla to the north or St. Barts to the south. Depending on the length of your charter, you can also visit places like St. Kitts and Antigua. It really depends on your experience and what you have in mind. This Caribbean-European island has enough entertainment and raw beauty to fill a week of sailing all on its own.
Visit our St. Martin charter section for the best deals.
2013-10-29 19:52:52.000