Motor Yacht Charter in St Maarten

St Maarten is where most Leeward Islands motor yacht charters begin. Princess Juliana airport has direct flights from the US and Europe, and the megayacht marinas in Simpson Bay Lagoon are minutes from the terminal.

From here St Barts, Anguilla and Saba are all within a few hours, so a week can mix the French side’s restaurants, St Barts’ harbour life and Anguilla’s beaches.

Why charter a motor yacht in St Maarten?

• Minutes from the plane. Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, Isle de Sol and Simpson Bay Marina all take large motor yachts close to the airport.
• Three countries, one week. Dutch Sint Maarten, French Saint-Martin, St Barts and Anguilla are all short runs apart. The captain handles customs.
• Saba for divers. Saba’s marine park is one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean, and it is an easy run on a motor yacht.

Where to go

• Simpson Bay. The lagoon, the megayacht marinas and a lively restaurant scene.
• Grand Case and Marigot. The French side: Grand Case is known as the island’s dining capital.
• Pinel and Tintamarre. Small islands off the French side for calm swimming and snorkelling.
• Anguilla. Shoal Bay, Sandy Island and some of the Caribbean’s best beaches.
• St Barts and Saba. Gustavia’s harbour life and Saba’s steep volcanic coast and marine park.

Planning your charter

Fly into Princess Juliana International (SXM). Large yachts enter Simpson Bay Lagoon through a bridge that opens at set times, so the crew plans boarding around it. The St Maarten Heineken Regatta fills the island in early March.

Every motor yacht below is crewed and bookable through DMA Yachting. Filter by size, budget or toys (see yachts with jet skis or luxury motor yachts), or ask a broker for a shortlist. For catamarans and sailing yachts as well, see our full St Maarten charter guide on myStMaartenCharter.

Motor Yacht Charter in St Maarten: questions we get asked

Why start a Caribbean yacht charter in St Maarten?

St Maarten has the best flight connections in the Leeward Islands and several megayacht marinas near the airport, and St Barts, Anguilla and Saba are all a short run away.

Can we visit St Barts from St Maarten?

Yes. St Barts is a short run from St Maarten on a motor yacht, and most charters from here spend a few nights there.

Is St Maarten Dutch or French?

Both. The island is split between Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, with no border checks between the two sides.

When is the best time to charter a motor yacht in the Caribbean?

The main season runs from mid-December to April, with the calmest, driest weather from February to April. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive and book first. Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November; some yachts keep chartering through the summer while many larger motor yachts move to the Mediterranean or New England.

What does a motor yacht charter cost on top of the base rate?

Most motor yachts add an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), usually 25 to 40 percent of the base rate, which pays for fuel, food, drinks and dockage and is reconciled at the end of the week. Fuel is the biggest variable on a motor yacht, so a route with long runs costs more than a relaxed one. Some smaller yachts in the Caribbean are quoted all-inclusive instead. Your broker will show you which terms apply before you book.

Other Caribbean motor yacht destinations

• Motor Yacht Charter in the BVI
• Motor Yacht Charter in the US Virgin Islands
• Motor Yacht Charter in St Barts
• Motor Yacht Charter in Antigua
• Motor Yacht Charter in the Grenadines