St. Martin Sailing Flotilla Cruise
January 22-29, 2022
Gorgeous Anchorages, Short Hops, Open Water Passages, Beautiful Vistas
St. Martin is one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Caribbean where you can experience short hops to fabulous bays for snorkeling and swimming and longer passages in open water to get your adrenaline going. This winter Colgate Sailing Adventures® Caribbean sailing vacation takes you to the warm waters of the northern tip of the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, just when you’re beginning to feel a long cold winter ahead. This fun-filled Colgate Sailing Adventures Flotilla Cruise in the Leeward Islands includes everything from sun-kissed sailing to unspoiled beaches, designer shopping in quaint towns and vibrant ports, bright casinos and nightlife, to fine dining with French and Creole flavors.
Just 15 St. Martin Flotilla Cruise Cabins Available
You don’t want to wait to sign up for this memorable winter Caribbean sailing vacation. With just 15 cabins available, this cruise is guaranteed to sell out fast! Our St. Martin sailing charter starts on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 6 p.m. when our four spacious catamarans are available for boarding. When you arrive, look for your Caribbean sailing vacation cruise leaders, Nate and Heather Atwater who will cheerfully help you get acclimated to island-time, mon. That night all will gather for a fun-filled meet and greet gathering and the next day after navigation and boat check-outs, you set sail. The cruise ends on Saturday, January 29 at 11 a.m.
REQUIRED FLOTILLA CRUISES RESUME
About Sailing St. Martin and Neighboring Islands
The cruise starts in Marina Fort Luis in St. Martin, easy to get to via many direct flights from major cities the United States and Canada. Half Dutch and half French, St Martin / St. Maarten offers the perfect combo of European sophistication and laid-back Caribbean charm. Some of your stops are on remote untouched islands with white sand beaches and pristine anchorages. Others take you to places like St. Barts where Jimmy Buffet started his first Margaritaville (still there) and sang “Cheeseburger in Paradise” to barefoot sailors. Now the home of the rich and famous, St. Barts boasts elegant boutiques, fabulous dining, and a slew of impressive mega-yachts.
Snorkeling, Shelling, and More
There are many natural reefs in this area, especially around St. Kitts with its abundance of tropical fish. Picture-postcard Anse de Colombier has a horseshoe-shaped bay where you can swim and snorkel in shimmering waters. All of St. Martin’s neighboring islands offer remote, unspoiled anchorages, secluded Caribbean coves and vibrant reefs.
For Sailors Who Love to Sail
In January when this Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise takes place, you should enjoy daytime temperatures around 82 degrees F., mid 70’s at night, very little rain, and winds averaging 13 knots out of the East. Of course, temperatures and winds can not be guaranteed, but we do recommend this cruise for those who enjoy and are comfortable on open waters where you can experience interesting sea conditions, and may even see a whale or two breach.
Bays, Towns, Islands You May Visit
Here is a sampling of various points of interest on this cruise. While there may not be time to hit them all, when you arrive for your Meet and Greet gathering on your first night in the islands, your cruise directors Heather and Nate Atwater will give you the planned itinerary.
BOOK YOUR CABIN NOW!
888-454-7015
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Marina Fort Luis
The four catamarans in our flotilla fleet are located 20 minutes from the airport at the Moorings-Sunsail base in Marina Fort Luis. The flotilla yachts are ready for boarding at 6 p.m., so if you get there early, take some time to enjoy great restaurants and shopping around the base. When you return at the end of the cruise, if you’re not rushing out for a plane, indulge in a cocktail and fresh seafood lunch on your final day in this Caribbean haven.
Grand Case, St. Martin
About an hour and a half sail from the Moorings-Sunsail base is a lovely small village with a large bay, crystal clear water and long beach. Here you can enjoy lunch at or a French or Creole-inspired dinner ashore, with a sip of local rum as you watch the first of many glorious sunsets.
Tintamarre and Orient Bay, St. Martin
On the way to Orient Bay is the tiny, deserted island of Tintamarre – a perfect spot for lunch aboard and a refreshing swim. Then you’ll head to Orient Bay on the eastern coast of St. Martin. Protected by a reef, the bay’s two-mile long white sand beach offers tons of water activities. Ashore you’ll find vibrant live music or you can spend the night Just north of Orient Bay in quiet Friar’s Bay, with great snorkeling off its palm-lined beach.
Gustavia and St. Barts
Enjoy sprightly blue water sailing as you head to Gustavia on St. Barts’ east coast. The capital of St. Barts is Gustavia, known for its red-roofed buildings, numerous historic sites, chic shops, and wonderful fine French restaurants for lunch or dinner. 17th century forts lining the harbor range from Fort Karl in the north to the lighthouse and cannons of Fort Gustaf in the south. Shell Beach, near Fort Gustaf, is a popular destination for seashell collectors. A good lunch/swim stop can be enjoyed at beautiful Ile Fourchue before heading into Gustavia.
Anse de Colombier
North from Gustavia is Anse de Colombier, part of St. Barts Marine Reserve with a secluded beach and shallow reefs perfect for snorkeling with turtles, rays and dolphins.
Philipsburg, St. Martin
Philipsburg is St. Martin’s busy Dutch capital, a bustling town with great shopping in boutiques and designer emporiums along Front Street – a mile-long shopper’s delight lined with swaying palm trees.
Road Bay, Anguilla
One of the most popular anchorages in the Leeward Islands, Road Bay hits all the buttons. There’s a beautiful white sand beach bordered with many restaurants and bars serving local fare and rum to live jazz music. Off the coast of Anguilla is Sandy Island, a spit of white sand where you can sample fresh lobster, crayfish or snapper at a beachside restaurant.
Crocus Bay, Anguilla
Cruising down the spectacular Anguilla coast from Road Bay, brings you to Crocus Bay where you’ll find soft white sandy beaches surrounded by lush greenery. Famous for incredible sunsets, you can spend the day foraging for seashells and then head ashore for a yummy rum punch as the sun sinks over the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive, momentary green flash if the horizon looks calm. On the east side of the bay is more good snorkeling, bordered by cliffs and caves. You might stop at Prickly Pear Cays, six miles north of Road Bay, for lunch aboard, exploring the white sand beach and more snorkeling on coral reefs teeming with colorful fish.
BOOK YOUR CABIN NOW!
888-454-7015
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
The Colgate Sailing Adventures® St. Martin Cruise Flotilla Fleet
The St. Martin flotilla fleet is comprised of two 40′ and two 45′ catamarans – all with four spacious cabins, two or four heads (bathrooms) with showers, and generator powered air conditioning throughout the main saloon and cabins. There’s plenty of space for socializing and dining inside and in the open air large aft cockpits with large seating areas for dining al fresco. Boat and crew assignments are made by cruise leader Nate Atwater (with his arm around Heather), shown in the photo on Belize flotilla cruise. Skippers and navigators are chosen by Nate in advance, crew lists are distributed when you arrive. If you are signing up with others and all want to be on the same boat, please make sure you indicate this when you send in your resume.
Not Included in Your St. Martin Flotilla Cruise Package:
- Airfare and other travel
- Ground transfers to and from base
- Beverages and dinners or other meals purchased ashore
- Beverages you wish to have aboard while cruising (markets available in the marina), including water, beer, wine, spirits, juices
- Mooring and docking fees
- Park permits if any
- Sightseeing tours or other costs you may incur
- Immigration charges when entering from one island country to another (on the 2020 cruise these ranged from $2 per person to $20 per boat each time)
- Departure taxes (which in 2020 were $35 out of St. Martins, but may be included in air ticket costs)
Each boat will set up a kitty when all are aboard, with each crew member contributing about $100 per person to start for docking and mooring charges, immigration fees, park permits if any, and food and drink purchases you plan to share as a crew.
If you’d like to come in a day early to relax and explore, Moorings lists three hotels that are near the marina: Fantastic Hotel, Centre Hotel, Golfe Hotel. Many more hotels will be listed in the e-book you will receive when you sign up. Contact us with any questions about our St Martin catamaran charters!
BOOK YOUR CABIN NOW!
888-454-7015
Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Package Rates and Payment Terms
- Single private cabin – $3,895 ($3,595 with grad discount if you qualify)
- Double shared cabin per person – $3,295 ($2,995 with grad discount if you qualify)
If you earned Bareboat Cruising Certification (OSS 104) from Offshore Sailing School, you are eligible for the Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise $300 grad discount. Only those in your party who have OSS 104 Bareboat Cruising Certification issued by US Sailing may take advantage of this discount.
To guarantee your cabin, a 30% deposit of the total package is due when you sign up. Terms and Conditions signed with this deposit outline cancellation policies. Final or full payment is due on September 16, 2021, at which time no refunds are allowed. A $300 refundable damage deposit is also required at time final payment is made. We stand by our cancellation policies, no exceptions are made. Please purchase Travel Insurance for your protection.
Included in Your Per Person St. Martin Flotilla Cruise Package:
- Private or shared cabin on one of the flotilla yachts, assigned in advance by the Atwaters
- All breakfasts, lunches, snacks and three dinners aboard during the cruise
- Welcome meet and greet party (heavy hors d’oeuvres or light dinner) first night of trip
- Gala group dinner ashore during the cruise or at end of cruise
- Commemorative Colgate Sailing Adventures® St. Martin Flotilla Cruise shirt and hat
- Ice, full water and fuel tanks prior to departure
- Cruising tax
- Damage waiver applied by charter company
- Starter pack of bottled water in addition to provisioning
- Guidance by expert cruise leaders – Nate and Heather Atwater – with the fleet throughout the cruise
- Comprehensive cruise e-book prepared by Offshore, to help you plan your trip
