Preliminary Stuff...

This is not a cruising log per say, but rather suggestions of itineraries and tips not necessarily found in the cruising guides. You will be able to adjust this information to the length of you stay, your desire to sail a lot or a little, and of course your level of experience.

St Martin/St Barth/Anguila, the "Renaissance Islands" are somewhat more difficult to navigate than the Virgin Islands, because it is basically open waters sailing. However, anchorages are not trickier but there are no mooring balls in those islands, so your anchoring technique definitely has to be up to snuff. But surely none of this overly difficult, providing you will respect the usual good rules of caution and seamanship.

Lastly, again unlike the Virgin Islands with their endless exploration opportunities, there are only a certain number of anchoring points, and that's it. So, in that respect, it is easier to set up an itinerary, because the possibilities are less numerous. On the other end, entertainment opportunities are among the best in the Caribbean - most of these areas are French, so nightlife, gourmet dining and upscale shopping are top of the line. Lastly, unfortunately, there have been some cases of disappearing dinghies in St. Martin and St. Barts. Make sure you lock your dinghy and the outboard when going ashore, or even at anchor.

We have provided here 4 charts for you to be able to follow this log, but you should definitely get real paper charts for your actual navigation.
Overall chart - St. Martin chart - St. Barth chart - Anguilla chart

On top of the mandatory nautical charts, we strongly suggest you get your hands on the latest version of the excellent  Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands by Chris Doyle (Cruising Guide Publications). The book is "a must have" as it gives detailed anchorage approach information and charts, waypoints, and countless descriptions.

Note: We have no connections with the author. We just know it's the best book you can get for this purpose. But for now, while you're reading this, just follow with your St Martin area chart. Later, you can go to the Cruising Guide

Also, do not take our headings and distances at face value. They are only a mere approximate indication. Good seamanship requests you double-check the information YOURSELF anyway.

One detail: in French territories one can enjoy the privileges on being "en France". This includes telephoning anywhere in France at French, not international rates, using a European (GSM) compatible mobile phone, ditto rates, or mailing France (or anywhere in Europe) at French rates. It also pays to stock up on French wine, cheese and a particularly good French non-alcoholic beer called Tourtel that doesn't put you to sleep.

Lastly, if you're cruising during high season, make reservations in the restaurants by calling them in advance on the VHF, usually Ch. 16 (check frequencies with the Cruising Guide.).

Starting Your Charter from Orient Bay

(If you start from Port Lonvilliers, click here.)

Day 1 Oyster Pond to Orient Bay (Green Cay)

Getting out of Oyster Pond can be somewhat hairy, because of the deadly reefs surrounding the marina entrance, but if you follow the markers precisely, you will be fine. Besides, some charter companies, like Moorings, will send a "harbor skipper" on your boat to help you until you're out of the entrance and in safe waters. The escorting dinghy will bring the skipper back to the marina. Such service!

Once you're out of there, take a Hdg. of about 005°Mag for about 3.5nm, and you will find yourself off Orient Bay entrance (Wpt. 18°05.8'N 63°00.0W.) Follow precisely the alignment instructions to enter the Bay. Do not deviate, the surrounding reefs are lethal! On the other hand, the entrance is pretty wide so this is not overly difficult either. (See p. 122 Cruising Guide).

We recommend you choose the southern anchorage, Green Cay, rather than Ile Pinel, which is trickier and shallower. Besides, Green Cay is one of St Martin liveliest, with all its colorful restaurants and beautiful beach.

Day 2: Marigot Bay

(Early) lunch at Tintamarre (p.121)
Follow the reverse instructions to get out of Orient Bay and take a Hdg. 030°Mag toward Tintamarre Island for about 1.5NM. This is a lovely lunch stop with a magnificent beach.Leaving Tintamarre, watch the Spaniard Rock, seating 1.1NM on a Brg. 112°Mag of the Tintamare anchorage. Leave that rock on your starboard side. So from Tintamarre, keep a Hdg. 290°Mag for about 2.5NM and round St. Martin northern part, then take a Hdg. 230° Mag for about 5NM to Marigot Bay. The approach is wide open and presents no danger after you pass the marina wall. Anchor anywhere in front of the town. There are always lots of boats but there is room for everybody.

Marigot is the capital of the French St. Martin. It is very picturesque, has a colorful waterfront market, beautiful boutiques and restaurants. The view from Fort Louis is phenomenal and is worth the climb. We recommend you keep this night for a dinner ashore and a shopping trip.

Days 3 /4: Road Bay, Anguila 

Leaving Marigot, take a Hdg. of about 310 Mag for about 8.0 NM to Wpt. 18°09.6'N / 063°10.1'W. (From Grand Case, Hdg. 290°Mag and 7.7NM.) This is mostly a broad reach. This will keep you clear from, and outside of Blowing Rock and Anguilita which you want to round and leave way off your starboard side. After the Wpt. take a Hdg. of about 15°Mag gradually veering to 60°Mag for about 5.5NM, basically following the coast line, and beating into the wind. Arriving in Road Bay, just watch the shoal area on the south side. Otherwise, it is wide open and with no danger.

Ahsore, check with Customs and Immigration. They are pretty serious about their jobs. Besides, as a deterrent, they impose pretty hefty fees to visit other Anguila's marine park anchorages (Road Bay alone is pretty reasonable though; see fees on p. 54). Here too, the beach is beautiful, and there are plenty of restaurants ashore.

A visit to Anguila's offshore anchorages (Sandy Island and Prickly Pear) can set you back a couple hundred US$ in fees. However, this is probably the best Caribbean setting and snorkeling. A dream! And because of the fees, they are not crowded at all like your typical anchorage.

Day 5: Grand Case or Anse Marcel

NOTE: If you're wondering why the itinerary seems somewhat convoluted, the reason is: you need to come back to the north part of the island to enjoy fully the crossing we want you to do to St Barts. With that angle, you will have a nice tack down to St Barts.

Leaving Road Bay, backtrack on Hdg. 243°Mag for about 5.7NM to round Anguilita. Then take Hdg. 110°Mag for 8.0NM and enter Grand Case. If you choose to go to Anse Marcel, take Hdg. 103°Mag for 8.5NM.

Option 1: Grand Case 

Approaching  Grand Case, stay clear from Pointe Molly Smith at the southwest end of the bay. Anchor anywhere off the town docks. One thing though: because of the cut at the north part of the bay, the wind can blow pretty hard there because of the funnel effect. The beach is beautiful and the place is full of restaurants from simple to formal.

 

Option 2: Anse Marcel/ Port Lonvilliers

Coming from Anguila with this heading, you need to watch the Marcel Rock sitting north of the bay. Give it a wide berth. DO NOT PASS between the rock and the shore. Here you can either anchor outside, or go dock inside the marina. The entrance to the marina has a 1-boat-at-a-time channel, so be careful before entering the channel. If you are chartering in the low season, you should have no problem to get a dock for the night (simply call the dock master @ "Port Lonviliers Marina" on VHF ch. 16.) Incidentally, the marina is one of the best protected spot in St Martin in case of rough weather. Port Lonvilliers has lots of services, shopping, and restaurants including the luxurious Meridien hotel.

Day 6: St. Barts Gustavia

Leaving early from either Grand Case of Anse Marcel, take a Hdg. about 080°Mag to start rounding the island. Watch again the Spaniard Rock (see above) and take a Hdg. 150°Mag for 12NM - leaving Tintamarre way on your port side- to Ile Fourche (p.137) which will be your perfect lunch spot.Watch the rock awash off the southern point and anchor in 20/30Ft of water. La Fourche is not a night anchorage.

From there, after lunch, take a Hdg. about 140°Mag for 4.4NM to Gustavia. You will see several offshore rocks and little islands. The safest passage is inside them. You can try to get a mooring inside the harbor, but there are rarely any available. Or try tie up along the dock for visiting yachts (in winter don't even think about it…jam packed!) but it requires great skills because of the crosswinds AND you must know how to med-moor. Therefore the most popular alternative is to anchor off Fort Oscar, northwest of the harbor, on the seaside of the red buoys marking the channel.

Gustavia is a delightful small port and town, really worthy of spending a full day visiting, shopping, great French bakeries and French dining (about 50 restaurants), everything being on the expensive side though, especially in the high season. We recommend renting a little Jeep for the day and tour the island and some of its beaches, most of which can fulfill the dreams of any sun freak!

Lastly, all boating services are available there. One last word: St Barts during the Xmas holidays is a real zoo, and Gustavia really swings.

Day 7: St. Barts, Anse de Columbier

Leaving Gustavia, simply back track along the west shore (approx. Hdg. 325°Mag for about 6NM.) Arriving at the tip if the island, keep the Ile de la Pointe and adjacent rocks a wide berth leaving them on your stbd. Side and round up to enter Anse de Columbier. There is yet another dream beach and protected anchorage to spend a day and a night. One of my personal favorites.

The anchorage does not offer any restaurant or services. There is basically nothing there except relaxation and a little bit of snorkeling.

I also recommend doing this: facing the beach, on the left side of it, there is a flight of stairs in the rocks. Climb up there (not barefoot please) all the way to the top. The view from there is breathtaking.

Days 8/9: Back to Orient Bay or Oyster Pond

Depending on the duration of your charter, you can go back to Orient Bay where you started or straight to Oyster Pond if you have finished your cruise.

1. To get back to Oyster Pond, leave Columbier on Hdg. 300°Mag for about 3NM until you leave Ile de Fourche on your starboard side. Then take 18° to starboard to Hdg. 318° for about 8NM to the marina entrance. If you are chartering with Moorings, you have to raise them on the VHF so they can send a "pilot" to enter into the marina, especially if there is a big swell.

2. To get back to Orient Bay, leave Columbier on Hdg. 330°Mag for about 2.5NM until you leave Ile de Fourche on your port side. Then take 4° to port to Hdg. 326° for about 10.5NM to get aligned for the Orient Bay entrance.

Starting Your Charter from Port Lonvilliers

1. Simply start this log from Day 2, which becomes your day 1 and takes you to Marigot Bay for your first night. Then follow the rest of the days normally.

2. Your last day will take you back from Orient Bay to Port Lonvilliers.
   Follow the reverse instructions to get out of Orient Bay and take a Hdg. 030°Mag toward Tintamarre Island for about 1.5NM. This is a lovely lunch stop with a magnificent beach (if you have time for lunch, that is!)Leaving Tintamarre, watch the Spaniard Rock, seating 1.1NM on a Brg. 112°Mag of the Tintamare anchorage. Leave that rock on your starboard side. So from Tintamarre, keep a Hdg. 290°Mag for about 2.5NM and round St. Martin northern part, then take a Hdg. 230°Mag for about 1.5NM to Port Lonvilliers.