Within the same region
Bahamas vs St Martin / St Maarten
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Bahamas | St Martin / St Maarten |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy |
| Recommended level | intermediate | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 16 / 11 kn | 18 / 14 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | BSD (1:1 with USD) | EUR (French side) / NAf (Dutch side) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $10,500 | $9,800 |
| Luxury tier price | $40,000 | $36,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Hurricane season June-November. Cold fronts bring Nor'westers November-March. Abacos are bareboat heartland. Short crossing from Florida (~50nm).
- • 3 base marinas
- • 5 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Hurricane season June-November. Strong Atlantic swells in winter. Excellent provisioning; French side for cheese/bread, Dutch for variety. Short hops to Anguilla and St Barts.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 5 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Bahamas averages 16 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
St Martin / St Maarten averages 18 knots in winter and 14 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Bahamas is generally rated moderate and St Martin / St Maarten is easy. The difference matters: Bahamas asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,000
- Mid season: $10,500
- High season: $20,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $40,000+
- Low season: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,800
- High season: $18,500
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Exuma Cays — Pig Beach (Big Major Cay); swimming pigs
- Thunderball Grotto — Made famous by James Bond film
- Eleuthera - Glass Window Bridge — Dark Atlantic meets calm Bight
- Abacos - Hope Town — Lighthouse; candy-striped; quaint
- Andros - Androsia Batik — Largest island; blue holes
- Maho Beach — Planes land overhead - iconic photo
- Lottery Farm — Hidden nude beach; wild
- Anse Marcel — Sheltered; great snorkeling
- Tintamarre — Day trip; wild donkeys; white sand
- Pinel Island — Short ferry from French side; restaurants
Which Should You Choose?
Choose St Martin / St Maarten. Charter fleets are abundant, marina staff speak English, checkout sails are standard.
Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Bahamas vs St Martin / St Maarten. Read the must-visit lists above.
Bahamas has 2 cultural anchorages vs St Martin / St Maarten's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"The pigs of Big Major Cay have become a global phenomenon — and crowds have grown accordingly. Arrive before 10 AM or after 2 PM for a more intimate visit. The pigs are real, but they're fed by guides and boats — please don't feed them human food (alcohol, in particular, has reportedly made some ill). For ethical wildlife encounters, look at Andros (blue holes, native parrots) or Inagua (40,000+ flamingos at Union Creek Reserve). These islands also need visitors more than Pig Beach does."
Timing and Budget: Bahamas vs St Martin / St Maarten
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bahamas or St Martin / St Maarten better for a first-time charter? ▾
Which is cheaper to charter — Bahamas or St Martin / St Maarten? ▾
When is the best time to visit Bahamas vs St Martin / St Maarten? ▾
How do sailing conditions compare — Bahamas vs St Martin / St Maarten? ▾
Which has better flight access — Bahamas or St Martin / St Maarten? ▾
Which is more beginner-friendly, Bahamas or St Martin / St Maarten? ▾
Choose Between Bahamas & St Martin / St Maarten
Tell us your dates and group. We'll recommend the right one — honestly.