Inter Yacht Charter

With its fine French Restaurants and probably the best duty free shopping in the eastern Caribbean and spectacular beaches, St Martin is definitely the St Tropez of the Tropics. The Island offers you two countries for the price of one: St Martin takes up one half of the Island, and the Dutch' Sint Maarten takes up the other half, with no border controls in between.

The Island, along with the rest of the Eastern Caribbean, is the land of perpetual summer, and there is really no time when you can't comfortably laze around on the beach. St Martin is less developed than Dutch Sint Maarten, and this is reflected in its capital, the prettily named Marigot. Like its Dutch counterpart, it's a duty-free paradise, chock-full of chic perfume, jewellery and fashion shops. The town boasts two commercial centres. One located around the waterfront, which has a public market, and is where boats to St Barts and Anguilla dock.

The Island hosts numerous International events such as the French Carnival, taking place in the five days before Ash Wednesday in February and March, the festivities feature the crowning of a Carnival Queen, costume parades, dancing and music. Followed in March by the annual Heineken Regatta, which brings a multitude of Racing Yachts out onto the water.

While in June fishermen fall hook, line and sinker for the Marlin Open de St Martin invitational tournament. Naturally, July's Bastille Day is celebrated with typical Gallic fervour, and features a parade, sporting events and fireworks. November's Concordia Day, named 'Sint Maarten Day' by the more proprietary Dutch, marks the amicable coexistence of the two countries.

November and early December is a pleasant time to visit. Many hotels will have taken a late-summer break to spruce up, so their rooms will be at their pre-season finest, the crowds will be just beginning to show.

If you have a yen to get back to nature, head to the clothing-optional and utterly lovely Orient Beach. Just below French Cul-de-Sac, a short drive from Marigot, the beach is a splendid, gently curving sweep of white sand and bright turquoise water. With its famous naturist resort, Club Orient, the beach is also a great place for water sports - with or without a bathing suit. The bay is an underwater nature reserve, and the generally calm waters make for good swimming. Windsurfing, Hobie Cat sailing and jet-skiing are also available.