As I write this we are sitting on a
mooring in the Bight at Norman Island. We choose to pay $30 for the
mooring but could have gone around the corner to Benures Bay and anchored for free.
With some thought and looking at the
charts one can often get away from the crowds if one wants to. Don't get me wrong however, it is the most crowded place we have ever sailed around.
We have been to
St Martin several times and enjoy the resturants and
marine stores. Both are, IMHO, better than in the US or
British Virgin Islands.
But, for all around good sailing, numerous
anchorages, convenient
shopping and restaurants and good snorkeling, we prefer the BVIs.
Sounds like you get to the
Caribbean often so why not make a trip to
St Martin and see for yourself?