18:01.997N 063:05.832W

1700 LT Friday, 24 Feb 2012

 

Finally it’s goodbye to Anguilla.  We have a nice sail across to Marigot where we take on fuel then anchor off for lunch.  Nobody very impressed with St. Martin (French part of island). A bit scruffy and frenchiness diluted.  After lunch we motor around to Simpson Bay on the South of the island (Dutch part) and anchor for the night.  Sea state is not dinghy-friendly so we stay on board for dinner.  Plan to start earlyish (0730) for Saba/St. Eustatius.  Saba is a tiny island with a big volcano, rising sheer out of the sea.  Very limited anchorage and access to shore difficult.  Once ashore, it’s a question of a steep climb for 400 metres (vertical) to arrive at the settlement.

Dutch part of Sint Maarten is high rise hotels and apartments.  Also this is the entrance to the lagoon and we have fun watching the super-yachts come and go.  Once again, not very impressed at cruising opportunities here.