Which Caribbean port?

[Allan]

We are in marina La Palma about to head over to Fort Lauderdale Florida. Any recommendations as to places to have as stopovers would be really appreciated. We are trying to keep costs down but don't want to end up in any lawless places!
Allan

 

[Bobc]

There are loads.

I particularly like Marigot Bay on St. Martin. Nice anchorage, big town (French), and a good place for boat bits and help.

 

[Allan]

Many thanks for that, I will look into it. We are hoping to stay as far north as the wind allows.
Allan

 

[macd]

re Bobc's post: Marigot has the advantages that it's closer to a direct route to Florida than most of the Antilles, and French, which means checking in is a doddle (at the harbour office, next to the bus station, south end of Marigot harbour). The anchorage is large with good holding over sand and has good shelter for typical wind/wave directions. There are more attractive Antilles islands, but for practical purposes it seems to fit the bill.

I've read cautions (probably on here) about Marigot at night, but the town centre seemed fine to me.

 

[Deleted member 478]

As said above, check into Sint Maarten on the French side (see below). I would not recommend anchoring in Marigot Bay - it is very roly. Monitor VHF Ch10 at 7:30 local time (Mon - Sat) for the morning radio net and bridge opening times. Come through the bridge, turn right, stay in the channel and then anchor on the French side of the lagoon (don't go past the new lagoon bridge because that is the Dutch side and they charge to anchor in the lagoon. There is also a very good chance that the Dutch Coast Guard will do a "safety check" and stamp all over your boat in their boots). DO NOT use a Bruce anchor because you will drag in the weed and make absolutely certain your anchor is holding before leaving your boat.

Do all your shopping, drinking etc on the Dutch side because it is significantly cheaper than the French side.

Check In: There are two ways to check in. As recommended in an earlier reply or come in by dinghy from Marigot, turn left after the bridge and go as far into the corner of the bay as you can, where you will find a small marina with a "Captainerre" (no idea how to spell it) office. Go upstairs, use the computer to complete your check-in. Only the skipper of the boat need go in. Pay Euro 7.00 (it might actually be less) and you're done. The other method involves more beaurocrats and fees.

 

[Bobc]

Spot-on Stingo. If you're staying a while, the lagoon is the place to be.

There's a duchman that pitches-up to the market on the French side selling rum in about 50 flavours. Not to be missed and if you buy half-a-dozen bottles, he'll let you have them at about $10 a bottle.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Now for your entertainment schedule:
Any night: 5pm to 7pm, happy hour at Barnacles Greek Bar. Beers are US$1.25 each.
Fri: 5 - 7 pm happy hour and Fish n Chips at Lagoonies. Beers are US$1.00 each
Any night: 5 - 7 pm mildly content hour. Simpson Bay Yacht Club for the bridge opening and watching the mega yachts scrape through. Beers are US$2.00 each - hence it's only a mildly content hour.
All of the above have a dinghy dock where you can LOCK your dinghy.

Any day. Sunset beach bar at the end of the runway. Suggest you get there at 11:30 am (KLM 747 is usually due in at midday-ish) to watch the planes land. Do a Youtube search for "Sint Maarten landings".

 

[capnsensible]

Have spent many happy days in St Maarten. One f my favourites.

Every silver lining has a cloud though. Once spent 6 weeks in the lagoon, the underwater fouling was awesome, couldn't use the prop until cleaned. My oppo did it in a wetsuit, he came out covered in loadsa tiny leechy things. Since then Ive nipped out every week or two and anchored up to scrape it myself.

Look forward to going back one day. Try the 'as bare as you dare' disco at the nudie beach......

 

[Allan]

Hey chaps thanks to all, especially Stingo, for your efforts. When I sober up I will look though the options. Please don't forget we will probably be in a bit of a hurry by the time we get there. Also, we are not on Chausey, my boat, the owner of this boat speaks Bristolian. I don't think Matt would approve.
Allan

 

[KellysEye]

Jolly Harbour is another place to consider, it has an excellent supermarket (it sells Cumberland sausages), a chandler and for very fresh fruit and veg a cheap bus trip from the marina entrance to the capital St. John, where there is a large V&G market. We always provisioned there if we were off for a week or more.

 

[TQA]

St Marten has a dinghy theft problem just now. lock it during the day, lift it and lock it at night. Also along with Charlotte Amalie in the USVI these are the ports where I am VERY CAREFUL about being out at night.

 

[Allan]

Again, many thanks to all. I'm now sober and it looks like we will be heading off tomorrow for Sint Maarten. Any recommendations for bars and eating establishments, all on a budget, gratefully received!
Also recommended places to stop between Sint Maarten and Fort Lauderdale.
Allan