Culture & Beaches
Private Boat Charter in Saint-Martin
Discover hidden bays, untouched islands and the best of Caribbean waters, aboard one of our 50 private boats, with a captain who knows these shores by heart.
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Half-day to full-day charters
Tintamarre, Pinel, Grand Case, Friar’s Bay
Just 20 min from Anguilla
45 min from Saint-Barth
Always with a professional captain
No bareboat experience needed
Around 50 boats
Speedboats, catamarans, yachts
The Island
Discover Saint-Martin from the Water
Saint-Martin is one of the most rewarding islands of the Leeward Caribbean to explore by boat. Half-Dutch, half-French, the island packs more variety into 87 km² than most archipelagos manage across hundreds of miles – vibrant beaches, hidden coves, two distinct cultures, and access to two more countries. Beauty Charters has been running private boat charters here since 2005 – before and after Hurricane Irma. We operate from marinas across Saint-Martin: Anse Marcel, Marina Fort Louis, Marina Royale, Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Porto Cupecoy. From these marinas, you can reach Tintamarre Island in approximatively 20 minutes, Ilet Pinel in 15, the Anguilla coastline in 20, and Saint-Barth’s Gustavia harbour in 45. Unlike a bareboat rental, every Beauty Charters trip includes a professional captain who knows these waters by heart – which spots to fish, where to anchor depending on the swell, and which restaurant on the beach is open today.
Where to Sail
Must-Visit Spots Around Saint-Martin
Some of the best Saint-Martin moments happen at anchor. Here are our captains’ top 8 spots, tested and refined over twenty years.
The uninhabited classic
25-minute crossing east of Anse Marcel. Part of Réserve Naturelle. Reef on the south-west tip drops to 9 meters.
Lunch on the sand
15 min from Anse Marcel. Yellow Beach + Karibuni (calm option). Calm beach for kids. Snorkeling on north side: starfish & reef fish.
Grand Case Bay
Food capital
5 min from Anse Marcel. Lolos (open-air Creole grills) + fine French restaurants. Best for sunset cruises – anchor 50m offshore, dinghy in for dinner.
Best snorkeling spot
Off Grand Case Bay. Réserve Naturelle. Depth 3-8m. Brain corals, sea fans, schools of grunts & parrotfish. Morning anchor (before 11 AM) for calmest visibility.
Hidden secret
French north-west coast, accessible only by boat or steep coastal hike. Quiet, clothing-optional. Calm anchorage year-round except during north swells from Dec–Feb.
Friar's Bay
Local secret with beach bar
Neighbouring Happy Bay. Friar’s Bay Beach Café + live reggae most weekends. Often final stop of a full-day charter before returning to Marigot.
Maho Bay
Iconic plane-watching spot.
Flights from Princess Juliana Airport pass about 30 m above the beach. An iconic SXM experience. Beach + bar + powerful jet blast (extreme caution required).
Long Bay
Wild Dutch side
Long beach on the Dutch side, few crowds. Sunset spot. Often combined with a stop at Maho Bay (5 min away).
Good to Know
Planning Your Saint-Martin Charter
Departure Points
Marinas : Anse Marcel · Marina Fort Louis · Marina Royale · Cole Bay · Porto Cupecoy. Captain confirms meeting point at booking.
Best Season
The Caribbean offers excellent sailing year-round. We recommend avoiding late August and September due to hurricane season. We’ll suggest the ideal itinerary based on weather conditions and your preferences.
Documents Required
Passport REQUIRED for trips to Saint-Barth and Anguilla (US/CA citizens). Send copies one week before · bring passports on board.
Getting to the Marina
Distances from Princess Juliana Airport · taxis · car rental options. BC transfers on request.
Contact Your Captain
Once booked: direct WhatsApp number · safety briefing · marina arrival timing.
Restaurant Bookings
Optional service : we can handle your restaurant reservations on day or half-day charters. Tell us your preferences, and we’ll book the table.
The Fleet
Choose Your Boat for Saint-Martin
Whether you want speed, comfort or luxury, our fleet of around 50 boats has the right one for your day on the water. Browse by category or contact us for a tailored recommendation.
Featured Boats Available from Saint-Martin
Boston Whaler 27 ft
Charter Formats
Pick Your Charter Format
Ways to experience Saint-Martin from the water – choose what fits your group’s pace.
Ready to discover Saint-Martin from the sea?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we’ll match you with the right boat and captain.
Local Expertise
Why Charter from Saint-Martin?
Saint-Martin is the natural gateway to the northeast Caribbean. The reason is geographical: it sits at the centre of a triangle that includes two of the most distinctive islands in the region. From a single base, a private boat reaches Saint-Barth in approximately 45 minutes and Anguilla in 20 – making Saint-Martin the only island in the area where a multi-island day trip is genuinely realistic. The sailing conditions help. The trade winds blow steady from the east 9 months of the year, giving boats a reliable downwind run. Currents are gentle, with no significant tide differential. Our captains routinely operate in conditions that would be marginal in other Caribbean basins. The marina infrastructure on Saint-Martin is among the best in the Lesser Antilles. Our marinas (Anse Marcel, Marina Fort Louis, Marina Royale, Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, Porto Cupecoy) are all certified refuel points, and Simpson Bay specifically offers customs clearance on-site for inter-island runs to Anguilla. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, the rebuilt facilities are newer and better equipped than most regional alternatives. Finally, the dual-nation character means choice. Lunch on a French beach, dinner on a Dutch terrace, swim in a British anchorage – all in the same day, without a flight. For visitors arriving from the US East Coast or Canada, Saint-Martin combines the lowest travel friction in the Caribbean with the highest density of itinerary options.
Questions
Saint-Martin Boating FAQs
What are the best spots to visit by boat in Saint-Martin?
Tintamarre Island (uninhabited, snorkeling), Ilet Pinel (lunch on the sand), Grand Case Bay (gourmet capital), Creole Rock (best snorkeling), Happy Bay & Friar’s Bay (hidden beaches), and Maho Bay for the iconic plane watching experience. Each spot has its own ideal timing – our captains plan accordingly.
Do all charters include a captain, or can I rent without one?
Every Beauty Charters trip includes a professional captain – Bareboat rental is available only on request and requires prior boating experience. The captain knows where to anchor, which beach is calm in current conditions, and which restaurant is worth a stop. This makes the day stress-free and allows you to focus on the experience.
How far is Saint-Martin from Anguilla and Saint-Barth by private boat?
Anguilla : 20 minutes from our marinas. Saint-Barth’s Gustavia harbour : approximatively 45 minutes. Both are reachable round-trip in a full day or inter island transfer.
What's the best time of year for a Saint-Martin boat charter?
December to April for ideal conditions (steady trade winds, dry weather). May to November is warmer and quieter – we close charters typically mid-August through mid-September during the peak hurricane window.
Do I need any documentation for a charter in Saint-Martin?
No passport needed for charters within Saint-Martin (French territory). For Anguilla and Saint-Barth day trips, your passport is required – send a copy one week before · we handle the customs clearance the day before your charter.
Can I combine Saint-Martin with Saint-Barth on the same day?
It is not recommended to visit both islands in depth on the same day. We recommend dedicating a full day to each island to fully enjoy what Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy have to offer.
An inter-island transfer between Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy can also be arranged if needed.
Alternatively, Saint-Martin and Anguilla can be combined in the same day, allowing you to enjoy both destinations during a full-day charter.
What's included on board?
Captain, fuel, drinks, snorkeling gear on most boats. Catering, gourmet lunch and premium options available on request. The full equipment list is available on each boat page
Plan Your Charter
Ready to Explore Saint-Martin by Boat?
Tell us your dates, your group and your ideal itinerary, we’ll match you with the perfect boat and captain.
Quick response · No commitment · Free quote
Nearby Islands
Also Reachable from Saint-Martin
Saint-Barth
Luxury & Shopping
~45 min by speedboat · Full-day charter or inter-island transfer
Anguilla
Serenity & White Sands
~20 min by speedboat · Half-day, full-day or inter-island transfer
Insights
From Our Blog
Articles from our Saint-Martin guide, written by our local captains.
Boat in Saint Martin : discover the bests spots !
Discover the top destinations to visit by boat in Saint Martin.
The 6 Most Beautiful Beaches in Saint-Martin You Should Reach by Boat (2026 Guide)
Tintamarre, Pinel, Creole Rock: six beaches you can only reach by sea, with mooring rules, timings and the best hours to be there.