Leeward Islands

St. Martin and neighbouring St. Barts combine short blue‑water hops with postcard anchorages and cosmopolitan harbours. Reliable trade winds, clear pilotage, and a well‑developed marine infrastructure make this a natural step up from sheltered cruising without committing to long offshore passages. You can thread coral‑rimmed coves, slip into a chic marina for dinner, and still be on a mooring beneath a sea of stars that night. The sailing is characterful rather than complex. Channels between islands can be lively, northern swells occasionally wrap in, and bridge timings add a touch of choreography — but these are features rather than flaws. With sensible planning, you’ll find a rhythm: early starts, lunch swims in marine reserves, and golden‑hour arrivals into Gustavia or Marigot. Bareboat, skippered, or flotilla‑style, this is a compact cruising ground with big‑ticket variety.