Destination comparison
Canary Islands 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 | Canary Islands | St Martin / St Maarten |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic & Offshore | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | Mar, Oct | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy |
| Recommended level | intermediate | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 16 kn | 18 / 14 kn |
| Hurricane risk | None | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | EUR | EUR (French side) / NAf (Dutch side) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,500 | $9,800 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $36,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Year-round trade winds (NE 15-25kt) with reliable breeze April-October. November-March has cooler weather and occasional calima (Saharan dust events). Ideal training ground for Atlantic crossing — most ARC rally boats depart from Las Palmas in November.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 7 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
Canary Islands averages 18 knots in winter and 16 knots in summer. There's no hurricane season, which makes year-round planning easier.
St Martin / St Maarten averages 18 knots in winter and 14 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Canary Islands is generally rated moderate and St Martin / St Maarten is easy. The difference matters: Canary Islands 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: $3,800
- Mid season: $9,500
- High season: $19,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
- 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
- Lanzarote - Papagayo beaches — White sand coves, turquoise water, steady wind
- Fuerteventura - Corralejo dunes — Sandy beaches, volcanic island hopping
- La Graciosa — Untouched, no cars; ferry or sail from Lanzarote
- Tenerife - Mount Teide — Spain's highest peak; dramatic backdrop
- 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.
Choose St Martin / St Maarten. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Canary Islands has 1 cultural anchorages vs St Martin / St Maarten's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"The Canaries are the Atlantic's wind machine - 15-25kt trades most of the year, which is glorious if you plan for it and exhausting if you don't. The classic week is Gran Canaria to Lanzarote via the channel, or a loop out of Tenerife. November-April is the charter season; summer is quieter and windier. Reef to weather early and you will have the anchorages mostly to yourself."
Timing and Budget: Canary Islands vs St Martin / St Maarten
Frequently Asked Questions
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