Martinique
From CruisersWiki
Martinique Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Martinique.
| Martinique | |
 Map - click for larger view | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Fort-de-France 14°40′N, 61°0′W
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| Language: | French, Antillian Creole |
| Currency: | Euro € (EUR) |
| Timezone: | UTC-4 |
| Martinique is NOT a country | |
 Latest News
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| Content - news items, etc. | |
Overview
Martinique is a province of France. It is part of the French Antilles and the most northerly of the Windwards Caribbean islands. Martinique has an area of 1,128 km2 and a population of 432,900. It is very mountainous and green. There are two volcanoes, the tallest Mount-Pelée is still active and on May 8 1902 it erupted destroying the then capital of the island, St. Pierre, killing over 30,000 people.
Martinique was colonized by France in 1635 and in 1946 became a prefecture (province) of France. It is the birthplace of Empress Josephine, the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Cruising the region
Martinique has many coves and inlets as well as a rich history. The food, in this province of France, is as expected excellent. The people are substantially more well off than in other Caribbean islands.
Climate & Weather
The climate of Martinique is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August. During the rain season the island is very humid and uncomfortable.
Sources of weather forecasting:
- Weather on Line Detail 7 day forecast charts for the Atlantic.
- Wind GURU A surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts.
- Navtex Broadcasts List of all the Navtex broadcast times and frequencies (not kept up to date).
Charts
- BA
- 956 Guadeloupe to Trinidad
- 94 Southern Martinique
- NIMA
- 2554 Martinique
- Imray-Iolaire
- A4 Guadeloupe to St. Lucia
Radio Nets
Submit details of local radio Nets.
Also see Cruiser's Nets.
Warning: The approach into the Cul-de-Sac du Marin lagoon is very tricky to navigate because one must follow a channel that snakes around reefs and shallow sand bars. This channel is well marked but to make it even more challenging it uses the buoys in the American IALA B system (red right returning) which is the opposite of the IALA A used by the rest of the world. That is you must keep a red marker to your starboard instead of to your port.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Check-in is best undertaken in the main yacht harbor on the island at Cul-de-Sac du Marin. It is a large landlocked lagoon with many coves and bays. It is considered an excellent hurricane hole. The main commercial harbor is Fort-de-France.
Arrival
Vessels MUST make first landfall at an official Port of Entry.
NOTE: Non-french vessels should fly the the French courtesy flag and NOT the local Martinique flag.
Customs and immigration formalities must be completed as soon as possible after arrival.
PLEASE NOTE: The original ship's registration documents must be produced - copies are not accepted.
Departure
Vessels MUST clear out at an official Port of Entry so as to obtain a clearance certificate.
Customs and Immigration
Immigration
European Union nationals do not require visas, since Martinique is part of the EU. US citizens are allowed a stay of up to 6 months.
Visas are required for nationals of South Africa, Bolivia, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Dominica, St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Non-EU citizens intending to stay for more than 3 months will need a visa.
Customs
Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
PETS: The Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) is accepted but note that bi-lingual Animal Health Certificates are required. More info is available from the Capitainerie of Le Marin on: Ph: +596 74 83 83, Fax: +596 74 92 02.
As per the regulations for France, yachts staying in Martinique for longer than six months become liable for import duty. (More information can be obtained from local Customs)
Ports and Popular Stops
Click for larger view
Ports
- Fort-de-France (Commercial Port) (Port of entry)
- Cul-de-Sac du Marin (Port of entry)
- Anse Mitan (Port of entry)
- St Pierre (Port of entry)
Martinique Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Sainte Anne
Click to enlarge
GPS: 14°26.3′N, 60°53.1′W - Chartlet
Sainte Anne is a very attractive anchorage just 6 nM from the marina. Anchor across from the little town at 5 m depth over sand, good holding. It easy to go to the town with the dinghy which you can tie at the little dock. Good provisions. Fresh bread!
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2005 --Istioploos
Other Anchorages in Cul-de-Sac du Marin
There many anchorages within Cul-de-Sac du Marin. (This section needs further additions).
Others
There many anchorages in the island. (This section needs further additions).
Health
Details?
Security
- Warning: Here, as in all of the Caribbean, dinghy theft is endemic. Always lock your dingy when going ashore, even within the marina.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
There many places worth visiting on the island.
 Mount-Pelée the Tallest Volcano in Martinique |
 Another Volcano in Martinique |
 North Shore |
Grocery & Supply Stores
Good provisions in many places. Rum is one of Martinique famous products. It is reasonably priced, so are French wines. In general, you can find good French products here, in this remote corner of the European Union.
Eateries
Good food almost anywhere in the island. The French influence is apparent.
Internet/WiFi
- In cafés
- in the Cul-de-Sac du Marin Marina
Laundry
See individual ports.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
In the Cul-de-Sac du Marin Marina and the airport.
Garbage Disposal
There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.
Transportation
There are daily flights to France but flying to the US is problematic. I found that one has to fly to Guadeloupe, from there to Puerto Rico and then to the US. Alternatively one can take the ferry to St. Lucia and fly to the US from there via Barbados. --Istioploos
Routes/Passages To/From
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
- Martinique (Wikipedia)
References & Publications
- Jimmy Cornell, World Cruising Handbook, International Marine, Camden, Maine, ISBN 0713634324
- Ashley Scott and Nancy Scott, Cruising Guide to Caribbean Marinas and Services, The Cruising Guide, Duredin, FL, ISBN 0944428606
- Chris Doyle, Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands, The Cruising Guide, Duredin, FL, ISBN 0944428533
- W. T. Stone and A. M. Hays A Cruising Guide to the Caribbean, Sheridan, New York, ISBN 0924486570
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
See individual ports in this page.
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, TaoJones |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | North Atlantic | Caribbean | Lesser Antilles | Martinique | |
