Destination comparison
St Martin / St Maarten vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | St Martin / St Maarten | French Polynesia (Tahiti) |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | South Pacific |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | May, Nov |
| Sailing difficulty | easy | moderate |
| Recommended level | beginner friendly | intermediate |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 14 kn | 14 / 15 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | Jan, Feb, Mar |
| Currency | EUR (French side) / NAf (Dutch side) | XPF (pegged to EUR) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $9,800 | $16,000 |
| Luxury tier price | $36,000 | $70,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
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
Cyclone season December-April (most charter companies halt). Tuamotu archipelagos reachable by ~150nm passages. Society Islands (Tahiti/Raiatea/Bora) easier. Reefy anchorages.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 5 must-visit anchorages
- • 4 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
St Martin / St Maarten averages 18 knots in winter and 14 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
French Polynesia (Tahiti) averages 14 knots in winter and 15 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Jan, Feb, Mar.
In terms of sailing difficulty, St Martin / St Maarten is generally rated easy and French Polynesia (Tahiti) is moderate. The difference matters: French Polynesia (Tahiti) 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: $9,800
- High season: $18,500
- Luxury / crewed peak: $36,000+
- Low season: $6,500
- Mid season: $16,000
- High season: $30,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $70,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- 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
- Bora Bora — Iconic lagoon
- Fakarava — UNESCO biosphere; hammerhead dives
- Rangiroa — Tiputa Pass dive; drift snorkel
- Taha'a — Vanilla-scent; same lagoon as Raiatea
- Huahine — Less-touristy; vanilla plantations
Which Should You Choose?
Choose St Martin / St Maarten. It's the more forgiving first-charter ground — charter fleets are abundant, marina staff speak English, checkout sails are standard.
Both sit in warm waters — temperature is broadly similar. The differentiator is which coast or chain: St Martin / St Maarten vs French Polynesia (Tahiti). Read the must-visit lists above.
St Martin / St Maarten has 1 cultural anchorages vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)'s 3. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Timing and Budget: St Martin / St Maarten vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Martin / St Maarten or French Polynesia (Tahiti) better for a first-time charter? ▾
Which is cheaper to charter — St Martin / St Maarten or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾
When is the best time to visit St Martin / St Maarten vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾
How do sailing conditions compare — St Martin / St Maarten vs French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾
Which has better flight access — St Martin / St Maarten or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾
Which is more beginner-friendly, St Martin / St Maarten or French Polynesia (Tahiti)? ▾
Choose Between St Martin / St Maarten & French Polynesia (Tahiti)
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