Destination comparison
Florida 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 | Florida | St Martin / St Maarten |
|---|---|---|
| Region | US East Coast & Florida | Caribbean |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | May, Nov | Nov, May |
| Sailing difficulty | beginner friendly | easy |
| Recommended level | beginner | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 15 / 9 kn | 18 / 14 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | USD | EUR (French side) / NAf (Dutch side) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $12,000 | $9,800 |
| Luxury tier price | $55,000 | $36,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Florida is the US catamaran gateway: huge fleets, bareboat-friendly checkout, and 300+ days of sun. November-May is the season - 75-80°F, Gulf Stream easterlies and calm Keys water. June-October brings afternoon storms and hurricane risk, but also the lowest prices of the year.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 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
Florida averages 15 knots in winter and 9 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Jun, Jul, 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, Florida is generally rated beginner friendly and St Martin / St Maarten is easy. The difference matters: St Martin / St Maarten 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: $4,800
- Mid season: $12,000
- High season: $28,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $55,000+
- 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
- Florida Keys Overseas Highway — Key Largo to Key West - 100+ miles of reef-protected, shallow water
- Dry Tortugas National Park — Fort Jefferson and the clearest water in Florida; a 70 nm passage from Key West
- Everglades (Flamingo) — Mangrove wilderness and a real offshore feel just an hour from Miami
- 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?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Florida or St Martin / St Maarten.
Choose St Martin / St Maarten. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Florida has 0 cultural anchorages vs St Martin / St Maarten's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"Fort Lauderdale is the least intimidating place in the world to start a catamaran charter - the Intracoastal gives you a protected shakedown and the Keys give you your first ocean miles in tiny steps. The classic week is down the Keys with an overnight in Key West. Keep an eye on the Gulf Stream: it runs north at 2-4kt and decides every passage you make. Summer afternoons bring building storms; plan to be anchored by 15:00."
Timing and Budget: Florida vs St Martin / St Maarten
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Florida & St Martin / St Maarten
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