Saint Martin

Saint Martin offers sheltered anchoring and marina options on both sides of the island, with most activity centered around Simpson Bay Lagoon. Sailors are attracted by the wide range of yachting services, easy entrance procedures and good availability of French food and wines.

Fort Louis is an easy walk from Marigot harbour and gives clear views over the bay, lagoon entrance, and nearby anchorages.​

There are several hiking options on the island, including the popular trail up Pic Paradis, the highest point on Saint Martin, which offers expansive views across the island.​

Saint Martin also has many beaches, with several sandy bays offering accessible swimming and snorkelling within short sailing or dinghy range of the main anchorages.​

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Grand Case	4.2 ★	Review summary: Anchoring conditions vary with strong gusts and potential for rolling, especially in the NE corner. The area is vibrant with restaurants and activities, while good holding is noted despite choppy waters. Visitors recommend keeping space between boats for safety.
	Anse Marcel	4.0 ★	Review summary: The anchorage presents challenging conditions with changing winds and rolly swells. Visitors note the availability of mooring buoys and good holding ground, though there may be unpleasant smells from nearby waste disposal. The area is populated with turtles and has amenities, including a dinghy dock.
	Orient Bay	3.7 ★	Review summary: The anchorage at Orient Bay is characterized by uncomfortable swell, making it less than ideal for prolonged stays. Conditions are favorable for kitesurfing and wingsurfing, though the absence of a dinghy dock complicates access. The beach area has undergone noticeable erosion.
	Marigot	3.4 ★	Review summary: Many visitors found Marigot Bay convenient for provisioning and dining, though the anchorage can become rolly in stronger winds. Holding seemed reliable, and clearance processing was noted as straightforward at local chandleries. Access to facilities adds to its appeal.
	Potence Bay	3.3 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Potence Bay is marked by good holding and proximity to shore. The location can be compromised by significant ferry wakes, impacting comfort. Anchoring fees apply, with charges around €116 for 10 days for a monohull.

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Marinas

	Anse Marcel Marina	4.2 ★	Review summary: Anse Marcel Marina features a calm environment with restaurants and shops. Reservations are helpful for accessing amenities and services are available, though some visitors reported issues with check-in procedures. Staff interactions were generally positive, enhancing the overall experience.
	Marina Fort Louis	3.5 ★	Review summary: The marina has clean facilities and provides helpful assistance with docking, particularly in challenging weather. Multiple reviews mention friendly staff and proximity to grocery stores and restaurants, enhancing visitor convenience.

Moorings

No image	Grand Islet Buoy	5.0 ★	Review summary: Mooring buoys are well-maintained and staff provide excellent service. Fresh baguettes are offered on Sundays, and assistance with dinghy rides and checking on boats is common. Notably, staff interact personally to ensure a good experience.
	Tintamarre Moorings	4.5 ★	Review summary: Permit is required for overnight stays with a request made at least 48 hours in advance. The area is busy during the day but quiet at night. Mooring balls can be limited and conditions can be rolly with light northeast winds.
	Marigot Mooring Field	2.0 ★	Review summary: Mooring buoys have design issues, leading to chafing lines and safety concerns. Gusty winds and boat traffic can result in drifting yachts. Recent reviews report multiple incidents of broken buoys and damaged lines, cautioning visitors to check installations thoroughly.

Boat services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Boatyards

Time Out Boat Yard

4.7 ★

Review summary: Efficient boat yard for various services, including hurricane storage and haul-out. Staff provide good communication, and the yard is described as secure. Some contractors are available, but concerns about management behaviour were reported.

Chandlers

	Ile Marine Chandlery	4.6 ★	Review summary: The chandlery is well stocked for its size, with helpful staff available. Visitors can expect good prices and convenience with easy access to the dock. Customs clearance is also available at the entrance.
No image	Island Water World Marigot	4.0 ★	Review summary: The chandler stocks a variety of boating products and has helpful staff. Visitors noted that returning items can be challenging, particularly regarding exchange policies. A recent review mentions poor customer service during a return, which affected overall satisfaction.

This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to Saint Martin.

Useful yacht clearance links

Charts of Saint Martin's waters are generally reliable, but care should be exercised around shoal areas, particularly near the entrances to the lagoon.

Off‑season in Saint Martin still sees activity in the lagoon and nearby marinas, with facilities open for haul‑outs, refits, and long‑term berthing. Crews who prefer to sit out the main hurricane period often relocate further south, while those who remain monitor forecasts closely and follow local yard or marina guidance.

• Best times of year to sail here: December to April
• Most common type of shore power: 220–240V, 60 Hz
• Cost for provisioning: Medium/Low (generally cheaper than the other French islands)
• Currency: Euro
• Personal security: Generally safe, with occasional petty crime.
• Emergency phone numbers:
  • Police 17
  • Medical 15
  • Fire 18
• International dialing code: +590
• Time zone(s): UTC -4

Saint Martin was first settled by Amerindian peoples, including groups later known as Arawaks and Caribs, who moved through the Lesser Antilles by canoe and used local bays for fishing and coastal travel. European powers arrived in the early colonial period, and by the 17th century France and the Netherlands both claimed the island, eventually agreeing to share it under the Treaty of Concordia.

Through the following centuries, anchorages around the island supported regional trade in sugar, salt, and other goods, with small forts and batteries built to watch over the approaches. Remains such as Fort Louis above Marigot still overlook the harbour and give a clear view of how the main bay was used to shelter trading and supply vessels.

In recent decades, Saint Martin has developed into a busy service centre for yachts, with marinas, haul‑out facilities, and chandleries around Marigot and Simpson Bay Lagoon. The island also hosts regular regattas and cruising events, adding a steady flow of visiting boats alongside the charter and refit activity that now dominate its maritime traffic.