2Hulls
Get a Quote

Destination comparison

Martinique vs New England

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

Get Quotes for Both Skip to Verdict

Quick Comparison

Dimension Martinique New England
Region Caribbean US East Coast & Florida
Peak season Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr Jul, Aug, Sep
Shoulder Nov, May Jun, Oct
Sailing difficulty moderate easy to moderate
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 17 / 13 kn 20 / 11 kn
Hurricane risk Aug, Sep, Oct Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency EUR USD
Mid-tier price (7 days) $9,800 $13,500
Luxury tier price $38,000 $60,000
Detail page View → View →

At a Glance

Caribbean
Martinique

Strong winds on Caribbean side; Atlantic coast swells. Le Marin is the largest sailing hub in French Antilles. Some provisioning in French, less English than BVI.

  • • 2 base marinas
  • • 4 must-visit anchorages
  • • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
US East Coast & Florida
New England

A short but beloved season: fleets launch after Memorial Day and haul out by mid-October. July-September delivers 75-85°F days, classic sea breezes and picture-perfect harbours from Narragansett Bay to Penobscot Bay. Fog and strong tides on the Maine coast reward careful planning.

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

Sailing Conditions

Martinique averages 17 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.

New England averages 20 knots in winter and 11 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.

In terms of sailing difficulty, Martinique is generally rated moderate and New England is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Martinique 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):

Martinique
  • Low season: $3,800
  • Mid season: $9,800
  • High season: $19,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+
New England
  • Low season: $5,200
  • Mid season: $13,500
  • High season: $30,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $60,000+

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

Anchorages & Must-Do

Martinique
  • Baie du Carbet — Volcanic backdrop
  • Anses d'Arlet — Authentic Creole vibe
  • Les Salines — Long white sand
  • Saint-Pierre — Ruins of volcanic destruction 1902
New England
  • Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket — Iconic New England harbours - Edgartown and Nantucket Town on the mooring field
  • Newport & Narragansett Bay — Gilded-Age mansions, America's Cup history and the best cruising chandlery in the NE
  • Penobscot Bay, Maine — Granite islands, lobster harbours and Camden Hills - the cruising classic

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 Martinique or New England.

If you want warmer / tropical water

Choose Martinique. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.

If you want history / culture / food

Martinique has 1 cultural anchorages vs New England's 0. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.

Captain's Take

"New England's season is short and worth planning around. July-September is the sweet spot, but each month has its own character: July is warmest, August brings the whale-watching off Stellwagen Bank, September has the best breeze and the emptiest harbours after Labor Day. Fog is the real hazard on the Maine coast - if you see it building, tuck into a harbour early; it rarely clears before noon."

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

Timing and Budget: Martinique vs New England

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Martinique or New England better for a first-time charter? ▾
Neither is a "first-charter" pick — both lean intermediate. Consider starting in BVI or Greece before tackling Martinique/New England.
Which is cheaper to charter — Martinique or New England? ▾
Martinique is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$9,800/week vs ~$13,500/week for New England (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $3,800 in Martinique vs $5,200 in New England.
When is the best time to visit Martinique vs New England? ▾
Martinique: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. New England: peak Jul, Aug, Sep; shoulder Jun, Oct; off Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May. Both are Caribbean-style (peak = Dec–Apr).
How do sailing conditions compare — Martinique vs New England? ▾
Martinique: typical winter winds 17 knots, summer 13 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct. New England: typical winter winds 20 knots, summer 11 knots. Sailing difficulty: easy to moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Which has better flight access — Martinique or New England? ▾
Martinique: Martinique Aimé Césaire (FDF), also Connection through FDF. New England: Boston Logan (BOS), also Providence (PVD) / Hyannis (HYA) for the Cape and Islands.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Martinique or New England? ▾
Both are accessible to first-time charterers (intermediate and intermediate respectively). Many charterers combine both on one trip.
Keep Exploring
→ Martinique detail → New England detail → All comparisons

Choose Between Martinique & New England

Tell us your dates and group. We'll recommend the right one — honestly.

Get a Free Recommendation