Saint Martin

Government Overseas Collectivity of France Capital Marigot Currency € Euro Area 54.4km2 Population (2009) 29,820 Language French Islands 1 (main island) Economy Tourism (85%) and light industry/services GDP per Capita $4,102 (n.a., France 23rd worldwide) [2008 Data] Links CIA Factbook, Wikipedia Page

View Larger Map

The map at the right shows the French part of the island in green. The border between Saint Martin and the Dutch Sint Maarten is an open one, the only thing you notice when crossing is a little sign at the side of the road.

Saint Martin has a large airport with direct flights from Europe and is thus a premier vacation destination. It has casinos (on the Dutch side) and large resort hotels. Being part of France the cuisine is excellent and while the Euro is the official currency the US$ is also accepted everywhere - sometimes even at parity! I spent a long time on the French side, anchored very close to the ferry dock in Marigot.

The island has a lot to offer, particularly as both sides are declared duty free zones and it has the best prices for staple goods, luxuries as well ship's chandleries in the northern Caribbean. The town of Grand Case north of Marigot is renowned for the many restaurants serving delicacies and I tested out this reputation several times and found it well-deserved! The east coast of Saint-Martin has several nice beaches and the enclosed bay of Oyster Pond is a great anchorage.

For a map with clickable pictures from this site displayed geographically please click here

This is the immigration booth at the ferry terminal in Marigot, St. Martin. I've since found out that the official in there is not official, but charges a fee for letting you clear in; this can be done for a fraction of the price at the marina around the corner Oh well. (2009-04-02 14:25:57 DSC-N2 [f/4.0, 10/1600s] ISO 160) [18°4'8.25"N 63°5'9.32"W (facing S)]	East coast of St. Martin (2009-04-18 16:33:46 DSC-N2 [f/8.0, 10/5000s] ISO 160)	Fort St. Louis, Marigot (2009-02-22 20:36:11 DSC-N2 [f/8.0, 10/6400s] ISO 160) [18°4'4.96"N 63°5'11.69"W (facing N)]	Zanshin I anchored in Marigot (2009-02-13 17:15:59 DSC-N2 [f/16.0, 10/2500s] ISO 160)	My hangout in St. Martin with fresh bread and good coffee - La Sucriere in Marigot.
Lotos at anchor in Grand Case - notice how the wind is coming from the wrong side? This was my first time to experience that in this anchorage. (2014-05-06 17:23:53 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/6.3, 1/200s] ISO 160)	Dinghies without stern anchors are getting underneath the dock at Grand Case on Mardi Gras. (2014-03-04 19:51:23 NIKON D7100 with a "35.0 mm f/1.8" lens. [f/2.2, 1/60s] ISO 400)	I didn't get the name of this big ketch anchored off Ile Tintamarre as I sailed past, but she is quite elegant and pretty. (2014-02-23 13:57:28 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/6.3, 1/800s] ISO 100)	For some it might be art - this colorful lot has been around for years but I've never gotten this close before. (2014-02-22 11:59:06 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/16.0, 1/80s] ISO 100)	Another guitar solo, this time for ZZ Top (2014-02-16 17:25:09 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/5.6, 1/250s] ISO 400)
The old salt mill from Grand Case, St. Martin on exhibit on the town's main street. (2014-02-16 12:35:24 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/11.0, 1/160s] ISO 100)	Pic Paradis is the highest hill on St. Martin and I took the narrow road up to (almost) the top for some nice views down the mountainside. (2014-02-12 13:48:06 NIKON D7100 with a "18.0-250.0 mm f/3.5-6.3" lens. [f/10.0, 1/200s] ISO 100)	Nighttime shot of the two docks in Grand Case. (2014-02-02 19:15:41 NIKON D7100 with a "35.0 mm f/1.8" lens. [f/2.2, 1/1s] ISO 800)	Dancers at the start of their procession down the main drag of Grand Case on Tuesday. (2013-02-26 19:46:25 NIKON D7000 with a "35.0 mm f/1.8" lens. [f/1.8, 1/60s] ISO 1000 Focus ∞)	Ma Dou Dou makes spiced local St. Martin rum with hand-painted bottles and their store is well-hidden away in Cul-de-Sac (2012-01-18 16:19:40 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/3.5, 1/60s] ISO 800 Focus 1.50m) [18°6'11.51"N 63°1'35.45"W (facing N)]
The remains of Fort St.Louis overlooking the town of Marigot in St. Martin. [18°4'14.65"N 63°5'8.74"W (facing E)]	A shot taken as dusk was turning to dark along the beach at Grand Case in St. Martin. Most of the shorefront is filled with restaurants and bars. (2012-02-08 18:37:09 NIKON D7000 with a "35.0 mm f/1.8" lens. [f/1.8, 1/25s] ISO 1000 Focus ∞) [18°6'11.81"N 63°3'20.59"W (facing SW)]	Putting on the shades to see a wonderful sunset at Grand Case on St. Martin (2012-01-08 22:38:11 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/5.3, 1/1600s] ISO 6400 Focus 3.76m) [18°6'18.97"N 63°3'27.42"W ]	A nice little cafe and bar next to the dinghy dock in Grand Case, St. Martin (2012-02-13 11:19:07 NIKON D7000 with a "18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6" lens. [f/4.5, 1/320s] ISO 100 Focus 2.66m) [18°6'14.38"N 63°3'17.47"W (facing NW)]	Anse Marcel from above [18°6'39"N 63°2'5.91"W (facing NW)]