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 at Grand Case is characterized by strong gusts of wind and 360-degree swinging on the anchor, requiring careful space management. Visitors find the anchorage's holding conditions reliable, despite challenging wind patterns, with plenty of nearby dining options ashore.
	Anse Marcel	4.0 ★	Review summary: Changing winds and a somewhat rolly ambiance characterize this anchorage. Visitors frequently note the good holding ground and the charming presence of turtles around their yachts. It's a practical place to check in for customs before considering other anchoring options nearby.
	Orient Bay	3.7 ★	Review summary: Approaching Orient Bay can be challenging due to frequent swells that result in uncomfortable anchoring conditions, as noted in several Reviews. The area is popular for water sports like kitesurfing, but lacks a dedicated dinghy dock, adding difficulty during heavy winds.
	Marigot	3.1 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Marigot Bay is spacious and accessible, accommodating many boats. Visitors appreciate the good holding in sand and convenient check-in procedures at Ile Marine and Island Water World. Speedboats and ferries frequently create wake, potentially affecting comfort.
	Potence Bay	3.0 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Potence Bay provides access to amenities like shopping at the nearby SuperU. However, ferry wakes significantly impact the anchorage's comfort, creating large waves that can lead to a rocky experience. Factors like sand bottoms and proximity to shore are also considered by visitors.

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Marinas

	Anse Marcel Marina	4.0 ★	Review summary: Offering calm and quiet conditions, Anse Marcel Marina facilitates check-in procedures. Several reviews highlight the absence of 60hz power for USA boats, making preparation essential. Visitors often appreciate the helpful staff during their stay.
	Marina Fort Louis	3.3 ★	Review summary: Berthing at Marina Fort Louis is marked by helpful staff and ease of access to the town, as noted by multiple visitors. This vibrant marina attracts those looking for convenient town proximity and engaging local activities.

Moorings

No image	Grand Islet Buoy	5.0 ★	Review summary: Staying at the Grand Islet Buoy moorings ensures reliable service and well-maintained facilities. Multiple visitors highlight the convenience of guided mooring assistance and the pleasant surprise of a fresh Sunday baguette. Personal touches and attentive care from the staff enhance the overall experience.
	Tintamarre Moorings	4.5 ★	Review summary: Advanced reservation is required for mooring at Tintamarre, with a minimum 48-hour notice. Moorings are free of charge, supporting boats up to 50 feet and 15 tons. Visitors can enjoy a serene environment after the bustling daytime activity.
	Marigot Mooring Field	1.8 ★	Review summary: Staying at Marigot Mooring Field can be challenging due to reports of chafing lines and broken moorings. Visitors have experienced strong winds and hard ground resulting in patchy anchoring. Regular checks of mooring lines are advised due to safety concerns raised by multiple Reviews.

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: Time Out Boat Yard offers reliable services, including boat work and hurricane storage. The staff is known for clear communication and maintaining a secure environment. Visitors appreciate the yard’s efficiency in handling various tasks and the availability of both independent contractors and community support.

Chandlers

	Ile Marine Chandlery	4.5 ★	Review summary: Visitors frequently choose Ile Marine Chandlery for its well-stocked range of items, with some products being more affordable than on the Dutch side. The chandlery provides a convenient shopping experience with easy dock access, and helpful staff enhance the visit.
No image	Island Water World Marigot	4.0 ★	Review summary: The process of obtaining clearance is considered satisfactory by some, while inventory availability at the store is noted to be generally well-stocked. However, there are mixed experiences with staff and product exchanges, indicating potential variability in service and customer interactions.

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.