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Destination comparison

Brazil vs Saint Barthélemy

Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.

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Quick Comparison

Dimension Brazil Saint Barthélemy
Region South America & Galápagos Caribbean
Peak season Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Shoulder Apr, Nov Nov, May
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 15 / 10 kn 18 / 13 kn
Hurricane risk None Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency BRL (Brazilian Real) EUR
Mid-tier price (7 days) $16,000 $22,000
Luxury tier price $75,000 $90,000
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At a Glance

South America & Galápagos
Brazil

Brazil's charter belt runs from Angra dos Reis south of Rio up to Bahia. December-March is the sunny, settled season; June-November trade winds freshen on the north-east coast - the window for Noronha and Abrolhos. Crewed catamarans dominate, with a growing bareboat scene out of Paraty.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 3 must-visit anchorages
  • • 8 boats in our fleet database for this region
Caribbean
Saint Barthélemy

Most expensive Caribbean charter destination. Suited to crewed charters; bareboat limited. New Year's / Christmas fully booked 6+ months in advance.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region

Sailing Conditions

Brazil averages 15 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.

Saint Barthélemy averages 18 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Brazil is generally rated moderate and Saint Barthélemy is moderate. They're at the same level — your decision will hinge on route and vibe, not on whether you can handle the conditions.

Cost Comparison

For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):

Brazil
  • Low season: $6,000
  • Mid season: $16,000
  • High season: $38,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $75,000+
Saint Barthélemy
  • Low season: $8,000
  • Mid season: $22,000
  • High season: $40,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $90,000+

Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.

Anchorages & Must-Do

Brazil
  • Fernando de Noronha — UNESCO marine park with Brazil's clearest water and strict daily visitor caps
  • Ilha Grande & Paraty — Colonial town, rainforest-clad islands and 300+ beaches inside a sheltered bay
  • Abrolhos Marine National Park — Whale nursery June-November and the South Atlantic's richest reef system
Saint Barthélemy
  • Gustavia — Red-tin-roof harbor town
  • St Jean beach — Iconic landing strip beach
  • Colombier Beach — Hike-in or anchor; pristine
  • Pointe à Lézard — Turtle and reef

Which Should You Choose?

If you've never chartered before

Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Brazil or Saint Barthélemy.

If you want warmer / tropical water

Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: Brazil vs Saint Barthélemy. Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

Brazil has 0 cultural anchorages vs Saint Barthélemy's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.

Captain's Take

"Think of Brazil's charter coast in two halves. December-March is Paraty and Angra: warm, sheltered, party-lite island hopping between green mountains. June-November is the north-east trade-wind season and the window for Fernando de Noronha - clearer water but you earn it with a 300nm offshore leg from Recife. For most first-timers to Brazil, Paraty is the right introduction."

— Captain E. (2Hulls editorial charter captain), local captain · year_round note · verified 2026-09-09

Timing and Budget: Brazil vs Saint Barthélemy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brazil or Saint Barthélemy better for a first-time charter? ▾
Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Brazil/Saint Barthélemy.
Which is cheaper to charter — Brazil or Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Brazil is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$16,000/week vs ~$22,000/week for Saint Barthélemy (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $6,000 in Brazil vs $8,000 in Saint Barthélemy.
When is the best time to visit Brazil vs Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Brazil: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar; shoulder Apr, Nov; off May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Saint Barthélemy: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Both are Caribbean-style (peak = Dec–Apr).
How do sailing conditions compare — Brazil vs Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Brazil: typical winter winds 15 knots, summer 10 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. No hurricane season. Saint Barthélemy: typical winter winds 18 knots, summer 13 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Which has better flight access — Brazil or Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (GIG) / São Paulo (GRU), also Salvador (SSA) for Bahia; Recife (REC) for Fernando de Noronha. Saint Barthélemy: Gustaf III (SBH), also Connection through SXM.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Brazil or Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
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