St Martin

[Jim Henderson]

I will be picking up a boat in St Martin and will be sailing the leeward Islands the end of November (Anguilla, St Barths). I will have my 3 children (ages 10, 13, 16) with me. Any suggestions about where to go or where not to go would be much appreciated. Also, what are the sailing conditions that time of year? I understand that the winds are pretty strong that time of year??

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

Some thoughts

I trust you already know about the swimming suits, or lack thereof on the French Beaches at St. M, and the nudist colony at the southeast end of Orient Bay.Now for the sailing, we sailed in February (1998) which has good winds. Occassionally then there was a swell from a storm in the north which made the west bays somewhat rolly. Great Bay (Philipsburg, tourists, good shopping, dining) on the south side and Simpson Bay (ship stores just insid lagoon) provided some of the better protection in such conditions. The lagoon is probably the ultimate in protection for swells, but entering and exiting is limited to specific times. We enjoyed Marigot (view, dining, some shopping) and Grand Case (dining).The sailing was great. Not as heavy as the windwards, but very consistent. Sailed with full main many days, and reefed some. On St. Barts, we found that Anse de Columbier on the NW corner was great. Nice beach, not developed, good protection, and offered some nice shore trails. The best trail led to a little town on Anse Des Flamands where we found a small store (just after we got in town) and bought fresh bread, and visited a small "resort" (Hotel Baie des Anges) on the bay that served an excellent lunch. Recommend it. Enough for the moment. If you would like answers to specific questions, see the video we shot, or like more info email me at jrussell@dtgnet.com

 

[Lucie Lee]

Went in September of '98

We did the same charter in September of last year. We liked the French side better than the Dutch side which was not as well kept.Loved Marigot on the French side of St. Martin and there is a great outdoor market on Saturday. We bought most of our souveniers there for really good prices. The bay on the other side was good for outdoor restarants (La Pate a la Main- not too expensive)and also offers good protection in really rough weather which we did not experience. We also liked Grand Case.The ride from St. Martin to St. Barths was about 25 knots of wind. There we stayed one night at Gustavia which is quite picturesque with its read roofs and then took Dakota's advise and spent the next night in Anse de Columbie. DO take the walk by following the path right behind the beach; through the Isthmus. It was so beautiful; like walking through a miniature rain forest. And the view is breathtaking from several points. We went to the capitol of Anguilla where there are about 4 restauants, one grocery store and the customs office. We went to Rob's Place (?)for a drink on the left side of the bay. The kids would like the parrot who has the run of the place and had a fantastic dinner at a place called the Riviera. Make sure you have your "Off" slathered on liberally (take it with you to shore). Just before sunset we were inondated with sand fleas from the beach & they were POTENT. Also make sure that you have your water tanks topped off. There is NO water for the boats where we were on Anguilla. We had to return to Anse Marcel ( a pretty place for an afternoon stop)on St. Martins to fill up with water before continuing on. Our last day was at St. Petersberg on a Sunday. Everything was closed except the casinos. We did take a walk but it seemed to me to be a bit seedy. It was the only place we felt uneasy.Some things to think about. MOST things are closed from 1-3PM. All the places look pretty much like a ghost town during that time. Remember that you can't fill up with water everywhere, and when they say lock the dingy, they mean it. We came back to ours one time & someone was trying to cut the steel cable!One thing we always had was great food and beautiful waters. Have a great time and say Bonjour for me. LL

 

[John North]

St. Martin

Jim,I too have some really great memories of St. Martin. We chartered from Sunsail after a delay of four days following a nasty hurricane. We found St. Martin (French side)to be very friendly. None of the unfortunate bad manners found so often with the French. Wonderful restaurants. The water was not as clear because of the storm and the currents were unpredictable and shelter had to be planned carefully. The winds were very brisk but manageable.We sailed to Saba which is spectacular and Saint Eustatius which is equally so.Our charter was an adventure as we were completely out of sight of land at times, much wilder than the BVI's shelterd waters. I would like to go back during better weather conditions. We would have snorkled and dived more. The water must be marvellous then.Bon Voyage