TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sailing itinerary provisioning a newbie needs help

We come in on the 17th. Staying st MARY boon one night and 8 days on the cat from dreams. Any suggestion in an itinerary ? We want to do st Barthes for sure. We like to eat and drink ashore ... fun happy hrs too. Any advice you can give regarding best place to shop for provisioning, customs, must see places would be greatly appreviated. Open to all tips and tricks. It is my 50th birthday celebration. Also I need a post charter hotel

I like to anchor in Grand Case, the holding is very good and the whole anchorage is shallow; catamarans can go very close to shore. The new dinghy dock is a blessing as well, as the old one was known as a dinghy-killer. Grand Case has many restaurants and nightspots that one can choose from although there are only small chinese groceries for shopping in town.
Clearance can be done at Anse Marcel, which is a nice anchorage in settled conditions. While you can clear in and out at Marigot it is rather expensive to do at the ferry dock, a short walk to Island Waterworld is worth it since they only charge €1 for clearance!
St. Barths is certainly worth a visit, you will need to clear out of the SXM and clearance into St. Barths is done in Gustavia at the Capitainerie. I find the Gustavia anchorage to be a bit rolly and prefer to stay in Anse Colombier or even Île Fourchue but there's nothing ashore in either case. St. Barths is expensive, although the grocery is well-stocked and not particularly expensive and an affordable meal can be had a Cheeseburger in Paradise.

I really like staying the night at either Île Tintamarre or Île Fourchue. Both islands are worth at least a daytime visit and there's normally no problem going to Tintamarre before clearing into St. Barths.

As far as provisioning. Carefour accross the causeway would be close and has a very good selection. Another option would be SuperU in Marigot. Very good prices and selection also.

Is Jeannie still a provisioning option? By the time you factor in the time and inconvenience of having to do it yourself and the pleasure of the extra time saved at any of SXM's fun watering holes along with the cab or car rental prices to and from the stores, the cost of the service might make it a good option. I know she has done yacht provisioning in the past and her taste in food selection is impeccable. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Hi!

Have you been to St Martin/Maarten before to know your way around?

As you are spending a night on the Dutch side at Mary's Boon, I'm guessing you will take a taxi to the boat? You could hit the Carrefour across the causeway and get the things you want.

Or, as has been suggested use:
https://www.shopndropgrocerysxm.com/

Happy hours...Grand Case has Calmos Cafe or Rainbow

If you go into the lagoon, Simpson Bay Yacht Club, Dinghy Dock, Lagoonies.

Just returned from a sailing trip with DYC SXM 2 weeks ago - sigh.

DYC offers a provisioning service that I used and was happy. I ordered all the large cumbersome items I didn't want to schlep to the boat such as water, sodas, canned goods etc.

For the items I wanted to purchase in person I walked to the SuperU in Marigot - about 15 min. Was able to purchase everything I required.

In addition Serefinas is an amazing French bakery in Marigot. Def go there. I ordered custom sandwiches to eat underway amoung many other wonderful pastries!

Enjoy, it's a fabulous sailing area!

Ps: I'm replying from my phone, please forgive my errors. I don't have access to a computer as I'm not home.

Sorry, you walked 15 minutes to Super U? I assume you got a taxi for the return trip?

Regarding itinerary...

I really like Tintamare and Grand Case too. Can't go wrong with either anchorage. Tintamare nothing ashore so be prepared to BBQ in a beautiful anchorage. Grand Case amazing restaurants... you'll have a difficult time choosing where to dine.

I'm very fond of Anguilla. If you have time spend a few days there, especially the outer islands such as Pricky Pear or Dog Island - note you cannot anchor overnight in the outer islands. Stop at Mead Bay if the wind is favorable and dine at Blanchards Beach Shack. Beaches are stunning in those areas.

You are able to clear out of Marigot by the ferry dock and clear in to Anguilla from Fort Louis Marina in Marigot - new service. I highly recommend doing this as it enables you to stop at Mead Bay or Sandy Island in Anguilla without having to go to Road Bay Anguilla to check in. It is pricy to go to Anguilla but worth it.

St Barths is a great destination too, very different than Anguilla. Spend a day or 2 if you have time. If you want a nice lunch accompanied with people watching, go to La Plage - Toms. Pricy but a day you won't forget. Watch the planes land in St Barths if you have time. Go to Il Forchue - beautiful.

Enjoy!! It's a fabulous area! I love the sailing area, quality of food there and the French culture.

Please note: sailing distances greater than the BVIs. You need to factor in how much sailing you wish to do versus land exploration. Going to st. Barths, Anguilla and of course anchorages in and around St. Martin can be a lot of sailing in 7 days. Especially if you plan on the outer islands of Anguilla. You cannot stay overnight and must head back to
Road Bay, Anguilla for the evening.

Ps: I went to St. Martin for my 50th too! What a great way to celebrate! Congrats on your milestone!

If you require any more info feel free to ask.

No I did not take a taxi to return to the marina. I brought 3 crew members with me to help carry the items we required.

We didn't need much as I used a provisioning service. We did need to stop a few times for liquid refreshment as it was hot!

OK, to me it would have made more sense to just get a taxi, especially for the return trip, but it's your vacation!