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All
the charm of the Caribbean, plus the sophistication of France.
There are other French islands in the Caribbean, but none is
so very French as Martinique. The women of Fort de
France dress in silk and high heels. The men smoke Gitanes
and sip coffee in sidewalk cafes. In the manicured gardens
of La Savanne, at the center of the city, old men play petangue,
while young families stroll.
Empress Josephine was born on Martinique, and you can visit
La Pagerie, her family's home. Le Jardin e Balata
is one of the finest botanical gardens in the world.
French charolais cattle graze in peaceful meadows bordered by
perfectly smooth , wide roads. The supermarkets have whole aisles
devoted to cheese and pate, and dozens of flavors
of yogurt. The aroma of baking bread is everywhere. The cuisine
is unrivaled in the islands.
You can
sail along the coast from village to village savoring the flavors
of Martinique and basking on glittering beaches as you
go. Don't be surprised if the local restaurant at Ance a l'Ane
or Ance d'Arlet is simply an extension of someone's home. Madame
will be happy to cook the fish her husband caught that morning,
and it will be delicious.
In Ste. Anne, a lovely square faces the waterfront, with a church
at the top of the square, the town hall on one side, and shops
and cafes on the other. In St. Pierre, climb Mt. Pelee, and
visit the museum dedicated to its tragic eruption in
1902.
Your Martinique charter can
take you to St. Lucia or even one-way to the base in
the Grenadines. Voyage from French Martinique to the very different
ambience of St. Lucia. The emphasis is on nature: the lush
green beauty of the hills, the drama of the soaring Pitons,
the raw energy of the volcano at Soufriere.
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7-Day Itinerary
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After
you check briefing sail from the marine base at Le Marine
to the beautiful village of Ste. Anne. Take an evening
stroll in the square.
Day
1: Set out early for saint Lucia.
Anchor in Marigot Bay, sheltered and surrounded by lush
tropical forest. Dine aboard
and watch the sunset.
Day 2: Sail along
the coast to the Pitons. Anchor off the beach at Soufriere
or tuck in under Petit Piton
at Malgre Tout. End the day with a swim, then dinner at
Hummingbird.
Day 3: Explore ashore.
The town of Soufriere is
picturesque and rustic. You can find a guide here for
a tour into the heart of the volcano, where the brave
can bathe in the sulphur-rich waters.
Hike in the Pitons, or enjoy a fancy lunch at a posh restaurant
high in the hills. The food is excellent and the views
are spectacular.
Day
4: Sail to Pigeon Island in Rodney Bay. The British
fort on the island is being restored, and the grounds
have been groomed into a shady, lovely park. Walk on the
beach, swim. snorkel, and relax.
Day 5: Sail back
to Martinique and anchor
in Anse al Ane. This is a pretty little village with a
lovely beach and excellent Creole
cooking ashore.
Day 6: Sail to Grand
Anse d'Arlet. A walk along the broad, curving beach
shows you that this is both a fishing village and holiday
spot for the Martiniquois. The fishermen will be repairing
their nets and pirogues, while local ladies sell delicious
homemade glace to the sun worshippers.
Day 7: Return to
Le Marin by noon.
This is a sample itinerary.
You have many choices of router and anchorages, or you
may want to linger at favorite places. our Charter Coordinators
and base staff are happy to help you plan your ideal cruise.
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One-way sails to the base at Union Island in the Grenadines are
available for a modest fee. You'll visit a diversity of islands including
St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Bequia, and the Tobago
Cays.
WIND
Steady easterly trades. Prevailing winds during the winter months are
northeast at 20 to 25 knots. Christmas winds, which blow from December
through February, can be as high as 30 to 35 knots. By June, winds have
gone southeasterly at 10 to 15 knots.
TEMPERATURE
Air 81°F/26°C Water 80°F/26°C
LANGUAGE
French
CURRENCY
FF Credit cards are accepted in the larger towns.
OUR BASE
Le Marin
SAILING CONDITIONS
Easy to moderate.
DON'T MISS!
- St. Pierre. A museum and other eerie reminders of the great eruption
of Mt. Pelée.
- La Pagerie, birthplace and home of Napoleon’s Josephine.
- La Savanne, the lush city park of Fort de France.
- A drive tour along the spectacular windward coast.
ATTENTION DIVERS
The eruption of Mt. Pelée in 1902 left the harbor of St. Pierre (the island's
principal port at the time) littered with wrecks that make fascinating
diving. The north coast is the best place to see corals and fishes.
HOT TIP You can sail one-way from Martinique
all the way to our base at Union Island in the Grenadines!
FLEET
You can choose from a variety of Beneteau, Janneau, Gib Sea, Centurion
monohulls, or Norseman and Lagoon catamarans.
FAQ's
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