Best departure point for a private boat charter in St Maarten & St Martin
Many visitors assume choosing the right departure point is one of the most important decisions when booking a private boat charter.
In reality, it is usually much simpler than that.
For most guests, the best departure point is simply the one that is most practical based on where they are staying, where they want to go, and which boat best suits their trip.
This guide explains the main departure points around St Martin / St Maarten, when each one makes sense, and how to choose the most suitable option for your day on the water.
Quick answer
For most visitors, the best departure point is usually the one closest to where they are staying.
In practice:
- Simpson Bay works well for many Dutch-side hotels and resorts
- Marigot works well for many French-side stays
- Anse Marcel is often one of the most convenient departure points for Anguilla trips
- Nettle Bay can work especially well for villa guests
- Cole Bay offers convenient marina access and several charter options
- Philipsburg works well for cruise visitors, Philipsburg hotels and guests staying around Pointe Blanche, Guana Bay or Oyster Pond.
Most guests do not choose a departure point first.
The right departure point usually becomes obvious once your location, destination and preferred boat are known.
What most visitors misunderstand about departure points
Many visitors spend a surprising amount of time trying to identify the “best” departure point before they have chosen the type of charter they want.
In reality, departure points are usually a practical decision rather than a deciding factor.
The boat, destination, route and overall experience normally matter far more than the dock itself.
Most guests simply choose the departure point that offers:
- the easiest access
- the shortest transfer
- the most suitable boat
- and the smoothest start to the day
The goal is not to find the best marina on the island.
It is to find the most suitable starting point for your trip.
Does the departure point actually matter?
Yes, but usually less than visitors expect.
The departure point can affect:
- travel time to the marina
- boarding convenience
- crossing time
- route efficiency
- overall atmosphere at the start of the day
However, it rarely determines whether the charter itself is enjoyable.
A great boat and a well-planned itinerary will usually matter far more than which dock you leave from.
Which departure point works best for your trip?
Simpson Bay
Best for:
- Simpson Bay hotels
- Maho
- Cupecoy
- Dutch-side visitors
- central island access
Typical feel:
Convenient, central, busy and easy.
Simpson Bay is one of the island’s most popular departure areas and works particularly well for visitors staying on the Dutch side.
View charters from Simpson Bay
Cole Bay
Best for:
- marina departures
- Simpson Bay area stays
- guests prioritising boat choice
- flexible charter options
Typical feel:
Practical, boating-focused and convenient.
Cole Bay offers access to several charter operators and is often chosen because the right boat happens to be based there.
View charters from Cole Bay
Marigot
Best for:
- Marigot stays
- Grand Case visitors
- French-side hotels
- Anguilla departures
Typical feel:
Relaxed, scenic and distinctly French Caribbean.
Marigot is often one of the most practical departure points for visitors staying on the French side of the island.
View charters from Marigot
Nettle Bay
Best for:
- villa guests
- beachfront residences
- French-side stays
- quieter departures
Typical feel:
Residential, calm and low-key.
Many guests staying in villas appreciate the easier and more relaxed atmosphere compared with busier marina areas.
View charters from Nettle Bay
Anse Marcel
Best for:
- Anguilla trips
- Orient Bay area stays
- northern French side
- guests prioritising comfort
Typical feel:
Sheltered, peaceful and premium.
Anse Marcel is often one of the most comfortable departure points for Anguilla charters thanks to its location and protected bay.
View charters from Anse Marcel
Philipsburg
Best for:
- cruise ship guests
- Philipsburg hotels
- Guana Bay & Pointe Blanche
- Oyster Pond
Typical feel:
Convenient, practical, and particularly popular with cruise visitors and guests staying on the eastern Dutch side.
The best departure point often depends on where you're going
Many visitors focus on where they are staying.
Just as important is where they want to go.
For example:
Anguilla
Nettle Bay, Marigot and Anse Marcel often provide particularly convenient departures due to their location on the French side.
St Martin coastal charters
Most departure points work well because travel distances are relatively short.
St Barts
The most suitable departure point often depends on the specific boat, weather conditions and route planned for the day.
This is one reason why departure points are usually chosen after the charter itself has been selected.
Best departure point based on where you're staying
Staying in Simpson Bay
Simpson Bay and Cole Bay are often the most practical options.
Staying in Maho or Cupecoy
Nettle Bay, Simpson Bay and Cole Bay are very convenient.
Staying in Marigot, Grand Case or Orient Bay
Nettle Bay, Marigot and Anse Marcel are usually the easiest choices.
Staying in a villa in the Terres Basses
Nettle Bay and Marigot often work particularly well.
Staying elsewhere on the island
The right departure point usually depends more on the route and boat than your exact address.
The best departure point is usually the one you don't notice
Many visitors spend a surprising amount of time worrying about departure points.
In reality, the best departure point is usually the one that makes the day feel easiest from the very beginning.
That often means:
- less driving
- easier parking or access
- a shorter journey from your hotel or villa
- smoother boarding
- and a route that matches the destination you want to visit
Guests rarely finish a charter talking about which marina they departed from.
They usually remember:
- the water
- the beaches
- the lunch
- the scenery
- and how relaxed the day felt overall
The right departure point simply helps make all of those things easier.
For most visitors, convenience and practicality matter far more than choosing the “perfect” marina.
Local insight
Most guests spend far more time worrying about departure points than they need to.
The charter itself almost always matters more than the marina.
The happiest guests usually choose the departure point that is:
- easiest to reach
- closest to where they are staying
- and most suitable for the route they want to take
A practical departure point and a great charter almost always creates a better experience than choosing a marina simply because it sounds more exclusive.
Common questions
Which departure point is best for hotel guests?
Usually the one closest to your hotel. Simpson Bay works well for many Dutch-side stays, while Marigot often works well for French-side visitors.
Which departure point is best for Terres Basses villa guests?
Nettle Bay and Marigot are often popular choices for villa guests in Terres Basses.
Which departure point is best for Orient Bay villa guests?
Anse Marcel is often the most popular choice for villa guests in Orient.
Does the departure point change the type of trip?
Sometimes. Certain departure points can make routes more efficient, particularly for Anguilla trips.
Is Anse Marcel better for Anguilla?
Not necessarily.
Anse Marcel offers one of the shortest crossings to Anguilla and can work very well for guests prioritising a quick and comfortable journey across the channel.
However, Anguilla charters departing from Anse Marcel often follow different routes than departures from Marigot, Nettle Bay or Cole Bay.
Depending on customs procedures, weather conditions and the itinerary planned for the day, departures from Marigot or other western locations can sometimes provide easier access to popular areas such as Meads Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay and parts of Anguilla's northern coastline.
The best departure point usually depends on the route, the boat, the conditions and the type of experience you want rather than one location being universally better than another.
Does departure point affect sea conditions?
It can. Some departures may offer more sheltered routes depending on weather and destination.
Can we depart from a different location than our hotel?
Absolutely. Many guests travel a short distance to a departure point that better suits their route or chosen boat.
Can you recommend the best departure point for us?
Yes. Once we know where you're staying, your group size and your preferred destination, we can usually recommend the most practical option very quickly.
Choose the right experience
We’ll help you choose the best option based on your group, timing, and what you want from the day.
Half-day private charters
→ Shorter private experiences with time to swim, relax, and explore the coastline.
Full-day private charters
→ The most popular option for a complete day on the water.
Sunset cruises
→ Relaxed evening experiences with drinks and sunset views.
Anguilla private charters
→ Clear water, beach stops, and one of the Caribbean’s most popular island day trips.
St Barts private charters
→ Premium island experiences combining boating, restaurants, and time ashore.
Not sure which departure point makes the most sense?
Tell us where you’re staying, how many people are travelling and the type of day you have in mind.
We’ll help you identify the most suitable departure point, explain what makes sense for your plans, and guide you before you commit.
You do not need to know which marina to choose before contacting us.
Related guides
Most guests have similar questions before booking.
You may also find these guides useful:
→ The most popular departure area for hotels, resorts, and Dutch-side stays.
→ Convenient French-side departures with easy access to Anguilla and coastal cruising.
→ A sheltered northern departure point popular with French-side villa guests.
→ Compare the two most popular island day trips from St Maarten.
→ How to choose the most rewarding experience when time is limited.
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