You may have heard about the island of St. Martin as an extremely popular travel destination. The nearly endless variety of things to experience on this beautiful island make it hard to match – from its unique culture and cuisine, to the sparkling nightlife and beaches. Add sailing from St. Martin to St. Barts to your itinerary and you have an unbeatable recipe for a dreamy Caribbean vacation.
Why travel from St. Martin to St. Barts?
St. Barts is a destination not to be missed, with its charming and laid-back, yet luxurious vibe. As it’s sometimes referred to as the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean”, don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing the beach with a celebrity or billionaire! But rest assured, there’s plenty to see and do in St. Barts even if you’re not hitting the haute couture designer shops on the promenade.
The best way to get to St. Barts from St. Martin
While there is a ferry available for traveling from St. Martin to St. Barts, a yacht charter gives you the freedom and flexibility to discover both islands at a slower pace, and the great privilege of visiting other nearby islands only reached by boat. Avoiding the tight schedules, busy ferry docks, and cruise ship crowds is a great advantage. On your sail from St. Martin to St. Barts, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, pristine beaches, and stunning seascapes from the quiet comfort of your yacht.
When sailing from St. Martin to St. Barts you’ll also have unique opportunities for water sports like snorkeling or kayaking, right from the deck of your yacht. You won’t be limited to crowded mainland beaches and stops at local equipment rental shops.
How long is the boat ride from St. Martin to St. Barts?
Not as far as you might expect! In just 2-3 hours sail you can reach St. Barts. And you’ll have plenty to see and do along the way.
Ready to get sailing? Here’s what you need to know.
Options for Sailing from St. Martin to St. Barts
There are great options for boating from St. Martin to St. Barts for sailors and non-sailors alike, from our Dream Yacht base location in beautiful Anse Marcel, St. Martin.
An attractive and budget-friendly charter option is the St. Barth Dream Premium cabin cruise. This 8-day packaged vacation includes nearly everything, from comfortable private en suite cabin to an expertly crafted itinerary and daily prepared meals. Your captain and hostess manage all the details while you relax and mingle with new friends aboard your yacht.
For those looking for a private charter yacht, a bareboat charter gives you the freedom to choose your own itinerary and take the helm yourself, while a skippered charter allows you more time for onboard relaxation.
Whatever way to choose to sail, it’s the Caribbean vacation of a lifetime!
Top places to visit on a St. Martin and St. Barts yacht charter
If you’re not already sold on sailing from St. Martin to St. Barts, our list of places to see will surely tip the scales! Each of them offer very special and unique experiences as part of a varied and exciting itinerary.
- Grand Case – Before departing the island of St. Martin, sail to the village of Grand Case, best known for its excellent French and Creole cuisine. Stroll the beach bars and shops while stopping to sample local delicacies along the way. You can’t go wrong with lunch at a Grand Case “Lolo” (Local owned, local operated) for super casual open air “street food”. There are several in a row offering BBQ, seafood and more. Sky’s the Limit is one of the most popular. During the season, be sure to visit on a Tuesday for the ‘Mardis de Grand Case’ weekly “Fat Tuesday” festivities, transforming the sleepy village to a parade of dance, music, and Caribbean joie de vivre.
- Tintamarre – This very special pristine island is just a short sail away, in the heart of a nature reserve just offshore. Dive into the sparkling waters, walk the white sandy beaches, and hike inland to take in the sights. Pack a lunch to enjoy ashore, as this island is completely uninhabited. Anchor for the night and grill your dinner for a night of camaraderie and solitude under the stars.
- Anse de Colombier – Anchor at Anse Colombier and explore “Rockefeller’s Beach” at the western end of St. Barts. With no road access, the horseshoe-shaped bay is calm and quiet, offering up excellent snorkeling, and a hike with scenic views.
- Gustavia, St. Barts – Sail to the red-roofed capital of the island, Gustavia, and spend an evening or two exploring this stunning harbor town with a European feel. Top designer name stores and local high end boutiques dot the harborfront along with offerings of Caribbean cigars and local spices – the shopping here is unmatched. Don’t miss the dining opportunities with everything from five-star gourmet with world-renowned chefs to lively beachfront eateries and charming French bakeries. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Fort Gustav or to any one of the museums or 1800s buildings within walking distance from the harbor. There is plenty of hiking nearby with rewarding views at the top. If there is time, set sail to explore some of the other world famous beaches on the island.
- Pinel Island – Pinel Island owes part of its untouched beauty to its protection as part of the French Marine Reserve. The beaches here are a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. When visiting by yacht, anchor offshore and swim or paddle ashore to visit the beachfront restaurants and take in a day of snorkeling, paddling and soaking up the sun – frozen cocktail in hand!
- Anguilla – If you have the space in your itinerary, consider adding a stop at the lesser-known island of Anguilla for a more relaxed, beach-lover’s vibe. You’ll find long stretches of uncrowded, postcard perfect shorelines, perfect for strolling from one chill beachside hangout to the next, and meeting interesting locals along the way. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to settle for bar-quality food. Anguilla is well known for its top-notch culinary scene.
As you can see, the islands, bays and harbors of St. Martin and St. Barts provide a very diverse mix of activities sure to please all of your most particular travel companions – from history buffs to hikers, trendsetting fashionistas to foodies!
Easy traveling to St. Martin and St. Barts
Reaching St. Martin is easy, with many flight options into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) from major cities in the United States, Europe, and South America and more. Don’t miss a visit to Maho Bay Beach, located at the end of the runway. Grab a cold drink and wait for the rush of large airplane landings just overhead, or enjoy the thrilling blast from a 747 upon takeoff.
The Dream Yacht base is located a short 45-minute ride from the airport, where you’ll be greeted and shown aboard your yacht to begin your adventure through paradise.
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Learn more about yacht charters in St. Martin to St. Barts, or one of our many other destinations on our blog. Get in touch with our team today on 855.650.8902 or email [email protected] for more information.
