Why I'm Moving Sailing Virgins to St. Martin (And Why You Should Sail Here Too)

After nearly a decade of running sailing adventures across the Caribbean, I'm making a move that might surprise some of you. Come November 2025, we're relocating our Caribbean headquarters from the British Virgin Islands to St. Martin.

Why? Because St. Martin is where the real sailing adventure begins.

The Caribbean's Best-Kept Sailing Secret

I've sailed these waters more times than I can count, and here's what most people don't realise: in the high season BVI, while everyone's queuing for mooring balls at 6:30am, St. Martin sailors are waking up to empty anchorages and deciding which of four countries they'll explore today.

From our new base in Marigot Bay, you can sail to:

• St. Barths (15nm, a few hours upwind) - for that French Riviera vibe
• Anguilla (15nm lovely reach) - pristine British beaches
• Saba (for a bit of degustation ocean sailing) - the "Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean
• Sint Maarten - the Dutch port with great restaurants and nightlife

No visa hassles. No crowds. Just pure sailing freedom.

Image thanks Silk Sailing

Why St. Martin Beats the BVI (Yes, I Said It)

Look, I love the BVI. But after years of watching sailors fight for the same mooring balls and pay $40/night for the privilege, I'm ready for something different. In St. Martin, we anchor for free in crystal-clear bays with better holding than any mooring field.

The sailing here is proper sailing. Not the motor-sailing parade you'll find elsewhere, but real blue-water passages with consistent 15-20 knot trades. It's challenging enough to keep you engaged but forgiving enough for newer sailors to build confidence.

The Practical Stuff That Actually Matters

Getting here is a breeze. Direct flights from New York, Miami, and Toronto to SXM airport land you 15 minutes from the marina. Compare that to the prop-plane shuffle through San Juan to reach Tortola or the wait for the ferry, and you'll understand why I'm excited about this move.

Provisioning is world-class. Grand Case isn't called the "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean" for nothing. Thirty-plus restaurants line this single street, from beach shacks to Michelin-worthy bistros. And with both French and Dutch sides offering duty-free shopping, your crew provisions (yes, including rum) cost significantly less.

The culture is intoxicating. Where else can you have croissants for breakfast in Marigot, lunch on a Dutch beach, and dinner in a French bistro - all in the same day? This dual-nation dynamic creates an energy you won't find anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Your St. Martin Sailing Adventure Starts Here

This November, we're launching our ASA-certified adventure sailing courses from St. Martin. These aren't your typical "follow-the-leader" sailing schools. We're talking proper offshore passages, proper runs between islands, and anchoring in bays that most charter companies don't even know exist.

Our 7-day adventures include:

• ASA 101, 103, 104, or 114 certification
• Island hopping to St. Barths, Anguilla, and secret spots
• Night anchorages under Caribbean stars
• Snorkelling with sea turtles at Tintamarre
• Freediving, maybe cliff jumping, and possibly a rum tasting
• Maximum 5 students per boat (because sailing needs to be hands-on)

The Bottom Line

The BVI will always be special, but St. Martin is where Caribbean sailing is heading. Less crowded, more affordable, better connected, and infinitely more diverse. It's raw, it's real, and it's exactly where adventurous sailors should be.

We're not just moving our base here; we're betting our entire Caribbean operation on St. Martin being the future of sailing education and adventure.

Want to see why? Join us this November for a sailing adventure that'll ruin you for boring holidays forever.

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Fair winds,

James Kell
Founder, Sailing Virgins

P.S. Still need convincing? Our St. Martin courses are running at 2024 prices through December. After seeing what's possible here, I guarantee you'll understand why we made the move.