When choosing a location for advanced catamaran training, the conditions matter as much as the curriculum. St. Martin offers a unique combination of geographic, meteorological, and logistical advantages that make it the ideal training ground for aspiring charter skippers.
Unlike sheltered training environments, St. Martin puts you in real offshore sailing conditions from day one — the same conditions you'll encounter when chartering in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or further afield.
What Makes St. Martin Special
Consistent Trade Winds
The Caribbean trade winds blow reliably from the east at 15-25 knots, providing perfect training conditions year-round. You'll learn to sail in real wind — not the light, variable conditions that plague many training destinations.
- Consistent easterly winds 15-25 knots
- Year-round sailing season
- Build real offshore confidence
Multi-Island Offshore Passages
Unlike single-island training locations, St. Martin sits at the heart of a multi-island cruising ground. Within our 6-day program, you'll make genuine offshore passages to Anguilla (British) and St. Barts (French).
- 15-25 nautical mile open water passages
- Navigate between three different nations
- Experience varied cruising environments
International Border Crossings
One of the most valuable skills for international chartering is clearing customs and immigration. St. Martin training involves crossing between French, Dutch, and British territories — practicing the exact procedures you'll use chartering in Europe.
- French St. Martin / Dutch Sint Maarten
- British Anguilla clearance procedures
- French St. Barts port clearance
Diverse Anchorages & Marinas
From the protected Simpson Bay Lagoon to the challenging anchorages of St. Barts, you'll experience the full spectrum of mooring environments. Practice stern-to Mediterranean-style docking, mooring ball pickups, and exposed anchorage management.
- Protected lagoon training base
- Med-style stern-to practice
- Exposed anchorage assessment
Our Training Route
Over 6 days, you'll sail a circuit covering approximately 120-180 nautical miles:
- 1Simpson Bay Lagoon — Protected base for close-quarters training
- 2Anguilla — 20nm offshore passage, British customs clearance
- 3St. Barts — Challenging pilotage, French port procedures
- 4Tintamarre — Remote anchorage, emergency drill practice
- 5Return to Simpson Bay — Final assessment and certification
Experience St. Martin Training
6-day intensive catamaran program with NauticEd SLC + SLC certification