JOIN COLGATE SAILING ADVENTURES® IN ST. MARTIN
A SPECIAL FLOTILLA CRUISE IN THE LEEWARD ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN
March 8-15, 2025
Half French (St. Martin) and Half Dutch (St. Maarten), these beautiful cruising grounds are one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Caribbean. Aside from fantastic sailing conditions, this fun-filled Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise on spacious Moorings and Sunsail catamarans takes you to unspoiled beaches and quaint towns with beach bars and fun eateries, vibrant ports with casinos, nightlife, and fine dining. March is a great time to sail in the Leeward Islands. Daytime temperatures hover in the mid-eighties. Sailing is in easterly winds averaging 15-25 knots. You can experience open-water passages that will get your adrenalin going and short sails that take you to idyllic anchorages where beautiful hiking trails with spectacular vistas beckon.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
At least one person in a 2-person booking must be an experienced sailor, with minimally US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification or commensurate experience as proven on a completed Sailing Resume, which also includes questions regarding existing medical conditions that may
hinder an individual’s full participation. One must be able to move around the yacht independently, from dock to yacht, yacht to dinghy, etc., in dim light and moving seas. From participant resumes the Trip Leader will designate a qualified Skipper and a First Mate/Navigator for each boat. Everyone is expected to participate in handling the yacht they are living and sailing on.
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
COME EARLY OR STAY AFTER THE CRUISE
There’s a lot to do on St. Martin, so we recommend staying in one of the island’s lovely hotels close to the marina or further afield a couple of days before or after the cruise. Some of the attractions you might want to try include a visit to the Musee de Marigot, hiking around Loterie Farm, shopping in the open-air Marigot Marche, horseback riding at Ranch Gallion, exploring Fort Louis, and scuba diving on wrecks and reefs. The book we prepare to help you plan your trip has all this information and much more.
MARINA FORT LUIS IN MARIGOT
The catamarans reserved for this flotilla cruise are at the Moorings/Sunsail base in Marina Fort Luis, Marigot, St. Martin – 20 minutes from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The base is in a busy marina with restaurants, bars, shopping, and many hotels nearby. Capital of St. Martin, Marigot, has a very attractive waterfront, many shops and boutiques, quality French cuisine restaurants, casual eateries, and lively bars with live entertainment. Traditionally, the cruise leader provides the best itinerary for a flotilla cruise at the Meet and Greet party and dinner on your first night. Here are some of the places you may visit.
TINTAMARRE AND ORIENT BAY
On the way to Orient Bay is the tiny, deserted island of Tintamarre – a perfect spot for a refreshing swim and lunch aboard. On the northeast coast of French St. Martin is Orient Bay, with a beautiful white sandy beach, lots of watersports, many restaurants, and boutiques. You can rent windsurfers and other water toys in the snug haven on the west side of Ile Pinel. Green Cay on the west side allows nude sunbathing on popular Orient Beach.
GRAND CASE, ST. MARTIN
This lovely small village rests on a large bay with crystal clear waters and a long sandy beach. Here, you can enjoy lunch at Lolo’s or a French or Creole-inspired dinner ashore as you watch the first of many glorious sunsets with a sip of local rum or non-alcoholic drink.
ILE FOURCHE AND GUSTAVIA, ST. BARTS
A good lunch and swim stop can be enjoyed at beautiful Ile Fourche before heading into Gustavia, where moorings are available, and eye-popping mega yachts are plentiful. The capital of St. Barts, Gustavia, is known for its red-roofed buildings, numerous historic sites, chic shops, and fine French cuisine. A hike to the lighthouse and 17th-century forts that once protected the harbor provides spectacular views. Shell Beach, near Fort Gustaf, is a popular destination for seashell collectors.
ANSE DE COLOMBIER
Anse de Colombier, in the St. Barts Marine Reserve, has a secluded beach and shallow reefs where you’ll also find turtles, rays, and dolphins. Steep hills overlook blue waters. A house built by the Rockefeller family, once owned by Anse de Colombier, is perched on the southern hill. There are no roads, just a trail up the hills to the village of Anse de Flamandes.
You can enjoy snorkeling at Ile de la Pointe. Stairs going up to the hilltop take you to a scenic trail that meanders through patches of fragrant lilies and cactuses.
PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN
Philipsburg is St. Maarten’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. There are also casinos, plenty of nightlife, shops, restaurants, and a small museum.
ROAD BAY, ANGUILLA
One of the most popular anchorages in the Leeward Islands, Road Bay is the main port of entry to the British island of Anguilla. A beautiful white sand beach is bordered by restaurants and bars, live jazz music, local fare, and rum. The island is large, with small hamlets and many interesting shops and restaurants along quiet roads. You might want to rent a car or hire a guide to tour the island. Bird watching is great at Caul’s Pond. Off Anguilla’s coast 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 Anguilla coast from Road Bay takes you to Crocus Bay, where you’ll find soft white sandy beaches surrounded by lush greenery. Many spend the day here foraging for seashells, swimming, and snorkeling. Beautiful birds nest in the colorful 70-foot cliffs. The Valley, walking distance from the beach, takes you to the Savannah Art Gallery and Koal Keel, an upmarket restaurant. As the sun sinks with spectacular hues over the horizon, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive green flash.
THE ST. MARTIN FLOTILLA FLEET
The boats reserved for this cruise are two Moorings 4500s, a Moorings 5000, and a Sunsail 424. All are 4-cabin catamarans with two or four bathrooms, generator-powered AC, forepeak cabins where you can store luggage, AM/FM stereo, charcoal grill, CD player with cockpit speakers, DVD/flat screen TV, fans in saloon and staterooms, snorkeling fins, and other supplies and equipment to make your time aboard comfortable and safe. As always, yachts we reserve for any Colgate Sailing Adventures® cruise are subject to change. With only 15 cabins to sell, this cruise will fill fast, so don’t wait to sign up!
CRUISE PACKAGES AND PAYMENT TERMS
Category 1: Offshore Sailing School Graduates with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification, US Sailing IPC, and willing to be a Designated Skipper if asked:
- $4,995 single in a private cabin
- $4,395 per person, sharing a cabin
Category 2: Offshore Sailing School Graduates with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification Only (No US Sailing IPC or unwilling to Skipper if asked):
- $5,300 single in a private cabin
- $4,700 per person, sharing a cabin
Category 3: Other Qualified Sailors:
- $5,500 single in a private cabin
- $4,900 per person, sharing a cabin
If there are two or more in your party, only those with the designated certifications above qualify for a discount.
A 30% deposit per person is required when you sign up. The balance or full payment is due no later than November 5, 2024. You must sign the cruise Terms & Conditions when you sign up, which spells out cancellation and transfer policies. No refunds or changes are allowed after November 5, 2024. Please purchase travel
insurance! Just 15 cabins are available on this fantastic St. Martin and the Leeward Islands cruise! Don’t wait, sign up today!
WHAT YOUR ST. MARTIN FLOTILLA CRUISE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Private or shared cabin on the reserved catamarans
- All breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and three dinners aboard during the cruise
- Meet and Greet Welcome Party with heavy hors d’oeuvres or dinner
- Mid-cruise or end-of-cruise dinner
- Special commemorative shirt and hat
- 2 bags Ice
- Full water and fuel tanks before departure (fuel cost included)
- Damage waiver applied by charter companies
- Starter pack of bottled water
- This comprehensive cruise e-book
- Your cruise leader leading and hosting the trip
OTHER COSTS TO PLAN ON
- Beverages you wish to consume while aboard, including water, beer, wine, spirits, juices
- Mooring and docking fees
- Park permits, if any
- Beverages and dinners or other meals purchased ashore
- Sightseeing tours, boat, and other rentals, or other costs you may incur
- Ground transfers and air travel costs
- Immigration charges when entering from one island country to another
- Departure tax (usually included in air ticket costs)
HOW TO GET TO ST. MARTIN
Most international flights arrive at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side. Major airlines servicing SXM include JetBlue, BWIA, KLM, Air France, American Airlines, and Delta. We strongly suggest you call 866-649-2003 to book your flights with The Moorings’ in-house flight specialists, who successfully book flights for thousands of their charter customers.
