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Within the same region

Martinique 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 Martinique Saint Barthélemy
Region Caribbean Caribbean
Peak season Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Shoulder Nov, May Nov, May
Sailing difficulty moderate moderate
Recommended level intermediate intermediate
Avg wind (winter / summer) 17 / 13 kn 18 / 13 kn
Hurricane risk Aug, Sep, Oct Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency EUR EUR
Mid-tier price (7 days) $9,800 $22,000
Luxury tier price $38,000 $90,000
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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
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

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.

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

In terms of sailing difficulty, Martinique 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):

Martinique
  • Low season: $3,800
  • Mid season: $9,800
  • High season: $19,000
  • Luxury / crewed peak: $38,000+
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

Martinique
  • Baie du Carbet — Volcanic backdrop
  • Anses d'Arlet — Authentic Creole vibe
  • Les Salines — Long white sand
  • Saint-Pierre — Ruins of volcanic destruction 1902
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 Martinique 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: Martinique vs Saint Barthélemy. Read the must-visit lists above.

If you want history / culture / food

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

Timing and Budget: Martinique vs Saint Barthélemy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Martinique 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 Martinique/Saint Barthélemy.
Which is cheaper to charter — Martinique or Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Martinique is the cheaper of the two at the mid-tier: ~$9,800/week vs ~$22,000/week for Saint Barthélemy (mid-size catamaran, shoulder season). Bareboat low-season starts around $3,800 in Martinique vs $8,000 in Saint Barthélemy.
When is the best time to visit Martinique vs Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Martinique: peak Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr; shoulder Nov, May; off 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 — Martinique vs Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Martinique: typical winter winds 17 knots, summer 13 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct. Saint Barthélemy: typical winter winds 18 knots, summer 13 knots. Sailing difficulty: moderate. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
Which has better flight access — Martinique or Saint Barthélemy? ▾
Martinique: Martinique Aimé Césaire (FDF), also Connection through FDF. Saint Barthélemy: Gustaf III (SBH), also Connection through SXM.
Which is more beginner-friendly, Martinique 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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