St. Maarten/St. Martin is our Caribbean paradise for the 5th week of the year.
During this week our family sailing cruise will concentrate on St. Maarten which is an ideal location for a vacation adventure. Although St. Maarten is a relatively small island, it is one of the most popular of the Leeward Islands. The island is divided into two parts the northern part is French (St. Martin) and the southern part is Dutch (St. Maarten). There are excellent anchorages around the island and once we check-in, we can travel freely from one part to the other on land or by Run-About. What has made this island so popular is the way it has embraced tourism. There are casinos, hotels, clubs and every kind of entertainment. It is a major cruise ship destination. Shopping and provisioning is among the best in the Caribbean. We generally visit ports on the Dutch side north bound and the French side south bound but we can move freely with the Run-About from side to side. We will meet you at the dock in Grand Bay, Philipsburg, St. Maarten Sunday afternoon near 18.01705667,-63.04671167 at the dinghy dock at dock Martin. The town is named Philipsburg. We end the week in Road Bay, Anguilla. So you get some time in Anguilla as well as St. Maarten.
Week 05, Sunday Arrival Dates: Jan 31, 2010 Jan 30, 2011 Jan 29, 2012 Feb 3, 2013 Feb 2, 2014
Previous week's location: St. Barths Next week's location: Anguilla
Number of weeks stay at this location: 1 Other time this year?: Week 15
Weather: Ave. Daily High, 83 F, 88% Humidity Ave. Nightly Low, 71 F, 73% Humidity Ave. Water Temp, 79 F Wind, 10 KTs E
Main City: Philipsburg Other Cities: Simpson Bay, Marigot Bay, Grand Case, Orient Bay, Oyster Pond Points of interest: Many Beaches, Snorkeling and diving, Casinos and clubs ashore, shopping and great restaurants.
Recreation: Beautiful beaches, many reefs with good
snorkeling and diving, many restaurants, lots of shore activities.
Language: St. Maarten-Dutch, St. Martin-French
Map Link: St, Martin-St. Maarten Map
Info Link: St. Maarten/St. Martin General Info St. Maarten/St. Martin Tourism Info More info
Nearest Int'l Airport: Simpson Bay, St. Maarten Code: SXM Name: Princess Juliana Int'l
Local Airport: St. Martin Code: SFG Name: Esperance
Restrictions: 5 KTs speed limit in harbors limits Water toys 300 yards off shore, avoid marine parks.
Itinerary & Passage Plan:
Sunday:
We will meet you at the dock in Philipsburg, St. Maarten Sunday afternoon and spend the night there. Be sure to enter the Dutch side at the airport customs (not the French). You will need a taxi from the airport to the dock at Philipsburg. Have the taxi hail the "Family Affair" on channel 9 and we will pick you up at the dock.
Monday:
On Monday we will stay in our anchorage and get acquainted with the recreational opportunities and the local activities. From here we have easy access with the Run-About to Simpson Bay and the East side marine park area and offshore islands, including Oyster Pond, Green Cay and Orient Bay
Tuesday:
We will move anchorage to Simpson Bay, St. Maarten leaving about 11:00 AM. It will take about 2 hours.
Wednesday:
We will spend Wednesday day and night at Simpson Bay. From here we have easy access by Run-About to Simpson Lagoon, Marigot, Grand Case and Anse Marcel
Thursday:
We will clear Customs and Immigration at Simpson Bay and move anchorage to Road Bay, Anguilla leaving about 10:00 AM. It will take about 3 hours. It is an easy sail. But if some of your group want to skip the sail, there is a ferry from Marigot, St. Martin to Blowing Point, Anguilla where you can get a taxi to Road Bay and we can pick you up there. We will check-in Customs and Immigration in Road Bay for Anguilla.
Friday:
We will spend the day and night at Road Bay. We will have easy access by Run-About to Shoal Bay, Barnes Bay, Meads Bay and Crocus Bay.
Saturday:
We are already at our destination so no need to make passage. Road Bay is a great spot for a long stay.
Sunday:
We will deliver you to the dock at Road Bay, Anguilla at your convenience before noon. So you will need a taxi to the airport from the dock or to the ferry. We can hail one using the radio. Anguilla has good airline connections to other Islands with International flights. St Maarteen where you flew in is your best choice but there are flights to San Juan as well. There is also a ferry from Anguilla back to St. Martin about once an hour.
See next week for ferry link details.
Marigot Bay Grand Case Philipsburg Simpson Bay/Lagoon
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