GREAT BAY--St. Maarten will return to one of the world’s leading sailing exhibitions in October, as the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association, SMMTA and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) prepares to promote the country at the 2026 Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland.
The show will be held from October 15 to 18 at City Dock in Annapolis, bringing together sailors, vessel owners, charter operators, manufacturers and marine-industry professionals from around the world. The annual event features sailboats, marine equipment, electronics, rigging, educational opportunities, charter companies and sailing organizations.
St. Maarten’s participation will provide direct access to an international audience already interested in sailing, cruising and charter vacations. The destination will be promoted not only as a place to visit, but as a full-service marine centre offering marinas, repair and refit services, vessel maintenance, provisioning, logistics and support for captains and crews.
SMMTA represents the businesses and professionals behind the local marine sector, connecting visiting vessels with expertise ranging from fueling and provisioning to technical work and yacht services. The association also promotes St. Maarten internationally while advocating for a competitive local marine industry.
The 2026 appearance will build on St. Maarten’s participation in the 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show, where SMMTA and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau jointly presented the destination to sailors, yacht owners and charter prospects.
St. Maarten’s booth was located in the show’s Vacation Basin alongside charter businesses, marine service providers and other sailing destinations. Representatives reported steady visitor traffic and interest from people considering sailing to St. Maarten with their own vessels or chartering locally.
The 2025 participation also created opportunities to discuss cruising logistics, berthing, provisioning, vessel services and the expectations of international sailors. Organizers subsequently indicated that leads would be followed up, promotional material refined and a return to the show considered.
Returning in 2026 gives St. Maarten an opportunity to maintain those connections and reinforce the destination’s position within the North American sailing and charter market.
The Annapolis event is regarded as a major meeting point for the global sailing community. Its 2025 boat shows attracted visitors from all 50 US states and more than 40 countries, with over 650 exhibitors represented across the sailboat and powerboat events. Organizers describe the Annapolis Sailboat Show as the largest of its kind in the world.
For St. Maarten, international marine promotion supports several parts of the economy. Visiting vessels generate activity for marinas, boatyards, chandlers, fuel suppliers, mechanics, electricians, riggers, restaurants, accommodation providers, transportation operators and businesses serving captains and crews.
The country’s location, protected lagoon, duty-free environment and concentration of marine services have helped establish it as a base for vessels operating throughout the northeastern Caribbean. SMMTA markets the destination around the accessibility of its facilities and the availability of repair, maintenance, provisioning and logistical support.
Participation in Annapolis also complements St. Maarten’s international sailing identity, which is supported by established events such as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and the Caribbean Multihull Challenge.
The 2026 Heineken Regatta attracted 113 boats representing 38 nations, demonstrating the international reach of the island’s sailing sector and its ability to welcome professional racers, amateur sailors and charter crews.
St. Maarten’s return to Annapolis will therefore serve both destination marketing and industry development, allowing the country to promote its sailing conditions while presenting the services and businesses that make it a year-round marine hub.
