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Chartering a boat from St Maarten to St Barthes? |
Travel Info What is the cheapest option to go from St Maarten to St Barthes? I'm a certified skipper and ideally would like to charter a sailboat from one to the other. What I've seen so far cost 4 times as much as the plane ticket to go to the isles from San Francisco in the first place! Also for locals: the best time to come... and other islands I could sail to. I speak French, English and Spanish fluently... any other islands where I could fit in? It's hard to find that info on the net... If you have the kindness... places to visit, cheap places to stay, specialty foods. I've been around the world but that's my next stop, and there's nothing like local knowledge... Thank you very much for the info! Travel Tips I've chartered in St. Martin once before and will again soon. I use the Moorings. Sunsail also has a base there. I know there are some small companies which may be cheaper. Chartering just isn't cheap, but then remember you don't have the yearly insurance, dockage, mainteance costs or heachaches you would have with your own boat. I strongly disagree with the previous statement that you should wait until you get to the islands to look for a charter. Many are booked months in advance, so you run the risk of finding nothing or having to pay more for a larger boat than you need. However, some companies offer a discount on charter booked 2 weeks out if there is still availability. Winds are stongest in the winter beginning around November and tend to be northeasterly at around 15-20 (knots) , with periods of stronger 25-30 likely around x-mas. As summer appraches winds die to 10-15 and shift to the SE. Of course as you get more into summer and Autumn, the hurricane chances increase. Compared to the Virgin Islands, I found St. Martin and St. Barths less expensive to sail. It's easy to anchor out and most moorings are free. While one can spend a lot eating out, there are less expensive options. I save a fair bit of money provisioning myself instead of using the charter companies provisioning service. French wine is very affordably priced. Some suggestions: Orient bay has the main beach, but also several several small islands in the area to explore. Make sure you know where the reefs are before entering orient bay. Isle Fourche between St. Martin and St. Barths is unpopulated and a nice evening stop. You can stop at Columbier bay at the west end of St. Barths without checking into customs. To visit the rest of the island, you must first stop at Gustavia to clear in. The north side of the St. Barths is off limits to cruising boats. Anguilla (english) is another island that many charter cruisers out of St. Martin visit. If you don't need to charter, and just want to get out on the water for the day, you can take the catamaran ferry from St. Martin to St. Barths, but you'd be a passanger, not a skipper. Check out the Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands by Chris Doyle for more about cruising in this beautiful area. Others Have you never seen how the landing is in St Barth?... fly it.. you'll love it Your best bet actually is to wait until you get to SXM - then go to the Marigot Marina on the French side ... that is where most of the charters are located. Make some friends - do it face to face and you'll get a pretty decent deal. OR you can just take the catamaran over to St. Barth's...it is not that expensive [or I'd never have gone! lol] - and you can then stay on island and return on the daily catamaran back to SXM when you wish. I have never stayed overnight on St. Barth's so can't help you there on accommodations. As for SXM - most affordable, with wonderful views and great food is the Grand Case Beach Club - just type in www.gcbc.com Tell Ms. Pascal that Gigi from D.C. sent you when you visit his Sunset Cafe. GREAT place and the food in Grand Case is everything it is advertised to be...the Gourmand Capital of the Caribbean. SOME Spanish is spoken on the French side amongst certain groups, but French is the primary language and most speak English also. Many transplants from France inhabit the island, as well as Caribbeans from other French islands. Well look no further here on the island we speak all of the above fluently. St Maarten is warm all year round, but the rainy season (June to October) can bring humidity and hurricanes. There is not much of an off-season, but prices are highest during mid-December to mid-April. The best times to visit are November to early December and May to June. It all depends on when your coming. Right now there is a special to St. Barth's by air for around $45 US Or you could just take the ferry here is the fare list This is a site to a guy that i know who does day charters. His Name is Marten Ironically:D http://www.randomwind.com/index2.html... And also about the lodging it depends on how long ur staying if but i would say if you are staying longer than a month it would be cheaper to rent an apartment . You can contact me and i will try and help to find you one here on the island. You must try our local cuisine. Yvette's in French Quarter conchs and dumplings is a must try. The Lolo's in Grandcase. Cherri's Cafe in Maho , Sunset Beach Bar it is located at the end of our runway.There is so much to do and sea. I do hope you enjoy your stay here on The Friendly Island of St. Maarten. St. Maarten Awaits You. I am a local. |
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