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St. Martin

Zanshin anchored at Friar's Bay in St. Martin and backwinded (note the dinghy still attached as I'd gone ashore on the paddleboard)
Anchored at Friar’s Bay

The island of St. Martin is divided into two nations; one is the erstwhile Dutch country of Sint Maarten, while the other is French St. Martin.

Each side of the island has a distinct character. I visit both sides for different reasons. The Dutch side sports casinos, nightclubs, and nightlife, as well as cruise ships and duty-free shopping.

French St. Martin
Dinghy dock in Grand Case on St. Martin
Dinghy dock in Grand Case

The French side is much more laid back and less hectic. It is typically French. It has good food and fine dining, but due to VAT, it is also quite a bit more expensive than the Dutch side. The hotels are smaller than on the Dutch side, and there’s no proliferation of timeshares.

The capital city is Marigot. It has several marinas split between the large one outside and several smaller ones inside the lagoon. Entry is made via the French drawbridge. This is smaller than the one on the Dutch side and has a narrow entrance and is much shallower as well. And it is quite often broken and inoperative. I spend almost all of my time anchored in Grand Case to the north. It has numerous excellent restaurants and bars ashore, and the anchorage has great holding in about 15 feet of water and remains protected in all but a north swell.