Marigot's waterfront, Grand Case's gourmet bay, and the protected islets of Pinel and Tintamarre — the French side, at its own gentle pace.
The French side of Saint Martin moves at a gentler pace: morning coffee on the Marigot waterfront, a snorkel at Creole Rock, lunch in Grand Case, an afternoon drift off Tintamarre. A private yacht strings these together without a single road.
The northeast coast is protected by the Saint Martin Nature Reserve — 30 km² created in 1998 covering coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, ponds and dry coastal forest — which is precisely why Pinel, Tintamarre and Creole Rock remain so alive. Captains use designated moorings and follow reserve rules throughout.
Grand Case's beachfront is lined with restaurants that have made the village famous — French bistronomy a few steps from Caribbean Creole grills known locally as lolos. Anchoring off Grand Case for lunch, with a Creole Rock snorkel before or after, is one of the most requested French-side charter plans.
Restaurant reservations are always made directly with each venue; we do not claim partnerships or guaranteed access. Your crew times the tender so lunch feels effortless.
Explore the coastline stop by stop in our Saint Martin beaches & anchorages guide.
Marigot departure, Grand Case lunch, Tintamarre swim — tell us your ideal French-side day and we will quote it.
French Saint-Martin is quieter and more culinary: Marigot's marina and market, Grand Case's restaurants, the nature reserve's islets. Dutch Sint Maarten carries the big marinas, nightlife and shopping. Many charters sample both — they are minutes apart by sea.
Marina Fort Louis offers bridge-free access, around 150 slips, a 12 ft draft and berths for yachts up to about 260 ft, plus fuel bunkering and clearance assistance. Whether your charter departs from Marigot depends on the yacht booked — request a Marigot departure and we will confirm.
Grand Case is one of the Caribbean's great lunch destinations — a beachfront row of French and Creole restaurants on a calm crescent bay. Your yacht anchors off and you tender in; reservations are made directly with the restaurant.
Creole Rock is a small rocky islet off Grand Case inside the nature reserve — one of the island's most popular snorkeling stops, with reef fish in shallow water. Mooring rules apply in the protected area, and conditions are best in settled weather.
Yes — Tintamarre's beach and snorkeling make it a favorite day stop. As part of the nature reserve, specific rules apply: no drones, no anchoring on sensitive seabeds, and overnight mooring only by advance request to the reserve (at least three days ahead).
Pinel is a low sandy islet off Cul-de-Sac with knee-deep turquoise shallows and a handful of beloved beach restaurants. It suits a relaxed swim-and-lunch stop; shallow approaches mean the yacht stands off and tenders in.
Anse Marcel is a sheltered, pretty north-coast cove with the Port de Lonvilliers marina inside — a calm-water stop that suits families and anyone wanting protection from the trade-wind swell.
Two relaxed north-coast beaches near Marigot — Friar's Bay has casual beach cafés; Happy Bay is a quieter, walk-in cove. Both can feature on a coastal sightseeing route in calm conditions.
The Saint Martin Nature Reserve protects 30 km² of the northeast coast — coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, ponds and coastal forest. Key rules: use designated moorings, no anchoring on coral, no drones, and reserve-authorization for commercial activity. Your captain handles compliance.
Yes — Anguilla lies just north of the French side (a natural pairing with Pinel or Tintamarre), and St. Barts is a longer open-water leg southeast. Combination itineraries are quoted with route-specific fuel confirmed in writing.
