St. Barts Yacht Charter

The sailing season in St Bart’s runs between December and April, when the weather is mild and sunny with little to no chance of rain. And while it’s true that the temperatures remain warm year-round, making travel to Saint Barthélemy a delight no matter the time of year, sailors should heed the warnings of the lent season and avoid the storms that bubble up between August to October.

A vast itinerary of events marks the social calendars of most visitors to St Barth, though the highlight is the spirited New Year’s Eve Regatta, which fills the sea around St Barts with some of the island’s most extravagant yachts, as well as those visiting for the event. But there’s also Art Week in November and the delightful Christmas Village (with local arts and crafts) on the quay in Gustavia.

St Barts’ weather is consistent all year round, with temperatures in the mid-20s in December rising to the early 30s in August, and delightfully warm waters always comfortable enough for swimming.

The Trade winds inform much of the sailing in St Barts and the Caribbean, and blow in from the West, sending the elegant curves of ship sails onwards to nearby islands like Barbuda and Antigua, or simply allowing for languid, unproblematic sailing trips around the flawless fringes of Saint Barthélemy.

Early Season

The early season is characterised by winds and rains, with many hotels, restaurants and shops closing between August and October, while September is generally accepted as the height of the cyclone season. There’s some opportunity for some sailing, however, particularly when the rain begins to cede and the hotels and restaurants start to open in November after the danger of severe storms has passed.

Peak Season

The Caribbean is legendary as a winter sun charter destination with December marking the jovial beginning of the peak tourist season, and one of the most popular months to sail in St Barthes. Sailing remains pleasant throughout the months, with the crowds, and the consistent sunshine remaining strong until February. The trade winds are consistently around 11-13 miles an hour and make for pleasurable sailing, and the turquoise waters are well-suited to a litany of other pleasures, from snorkelling and scuba diving to swimming and kayaking, though some bays and coves are more prone to swells than others, so keeping an eye on the local weather reports is advisable.

Late Season

As spring begins to bloom, the crowds thin and the temperature increases towards the early 30s, but sailing remains enjoyable well into June. And while the major events are done and dusted for the year, the Les voiles de Saint Barth boat race is a must-see for those visiting St Barth in April.

Sailing into port at Gustavia, the first sights of note are the ochre-coloured roofs of the houses contrasting with the lush emerald of the surrounding hills and the light topaz of the sea lapping at the harbour. But put a well-heeled foot down on the town’s busy streets and you’ll note a distinctive European flare, with the exceptional shopping, French food markets, and international restaurants, not to mention the flowery French dialect, giving Gustavia a distinct Paris of the Caribbean flavour. A short sight-filled stroll will bring you to the beautiful Shell Beach, but go a little further and you’ll discover delightful Saint-Jean and the small town of the same name just behind it.

Weigh anchor and sail to the west of St Barts, and the dramatic Colombier Beach on the Leeward coast will soon beckon. The beach is a dusty curve of white sand given character by jagged rock formations reaching towards the sky from the vegetation. The water is transparent with an otherworldly blue glow and animated by schools of tropical fish, turtles, and reef sharks closer to the rocks, while the hills are home to a few noisy goats amidst the various walking trails. Sail southeast to the Atlantic windward coast and moor your luxury yacht charter close to the white sands of Saline Beach for a more sedate, wild experience. Nature lovers are drawn here for the bird watching in the salt marshes behind the beach, but the water is exceptionally clear and ideal for extended moorings and dinners (elevated by local ingredients) under starry skies.

Choose a luxurious sailing catamaran to trace the delicate punctuation of the St Barts coastline or head to sea to explore more of the Caribbean with the help of a fully crewed yacht. Sail into the vibrant, multicultural St Maartin and sample its French or Dutch-inspired sides for a Caribbean twist on both nations. Drop anchor at Île Chevreau, an uninhabited islet for a lunch, created by your talented onboard chef, with unending azure vistas, or sail onwards to the charms of Aguilla to sip a cocktail beneath the hypnotic sway of a coconut palm.