Martinique

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WorldNorth AtlanticCaribbeanLesser AntillesFranceMartinique
Martinique
14°40′N, 61°0′W Chart icon.png
Martiniquemap.png
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Map
Franceflag.gif
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Flag
Capital Fort-de-France
Language French, Antillian Creole
Currency Euro € (EUR)
Time zone ECT (UTC-04)
Calling code +596

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.

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.

Charts

BA
956 Guadeloupe to Trinidad
94 Southern Martinique
NIMA
2554 Martinique
Imray-Iolaire
A4 Guadeloupe to St. Lucia

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).

Passages

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Navigation

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.

Entrance

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)

Health and Security

Health

Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.

Security

  • Warning: Here, as in all of the Caribbean, dinghy theft is endemic. Always lock your dingy when going ashore, even within the marina.

Berthing

Key to symbols: |Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data ||
The Beach at Sainte Anne

Ports

  • Fort-de-France Fort-de-France /wiki/Fort-de-France Port of entry icon – port of entry |Needs data icon – needs data |
    (Commercial Port)
  • Cul-de-Sac du Marin Cul-de-Sac du Marin /wiki/Cul-de-Sac_du_Marin Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |
  • Anse Mitan Anse Mitan /wiki/Anse_Mitan Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |Needs data icon – needs data |
  • St Pierre St Pierre /wiki/St_Pierre Port of entry icon – port of entry |Needs data icon – needs data |

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Anchorages

The Anchorage at Sainte Anne

Sainte Anne

Sainte Anne/wiki/Martinique#Sainte_Anne
Anchorage icon Sainte Anne [[Martinique#Sainte Anne|Sainte Anne]] 14°26.3′N, 60°53.1′W
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!

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Martinique and this page's details validated:

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).

Facilities

Water

See individual ports and marinas.

Electricity

See individual ports and marinas.

Toilets

'See individual ports and marinas.

Showers

See individual ports and marinas.

Laundry

See individual ports and marinas.

Garbage

There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.

Supplies

Fuel

See individual ports and marinas.

Cooking gas

Give details on cooking gas (Camping Gaz, butane, propane, etc) suppliers. If there are no suppliers in the island just enter "None".

Suplier1/wiki/Martinique#.3Cspan_style.3D.22color:magenta_.22.3ESuplier1.3C.2Fspan.3ECooking icon Suplier1 [[Martinique#Suplier1|Suplier1]] DD.dddDD.ddd gas supplier location etc, tel. +XX XXXX XXXXX.

Suplier2/wiki/Martinique#.3Cspan_style.3D.22color:magenta_.22.3ESuplier2.3C.2Fspan.3ECooking icon Suplier2 [[Martinique#Suplier2|Suplier2]] DD.dddDD.ddd gas supplier location etc, tel. +XX XXXX XXXXX.

Chandlers

Submit addresses and contact details of chandlers and other marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers. If there not any in the island just enter "None".

Chandler1/wiki/Martinique#.3Cspan_style.3D.22color:magenta_.22.3EChandler1.3C.2Fspan.3EChandler icon Chandler1 [[Martinique#Chandler1|Chandler1]] DD.dddDD.ddd chandler location etc, tel. +XX XXXX XXXXX.

Services

Repairs

List repair services. If no or limited repair services are available on the island write "None" or "Limited".

If repairs are included in every port pages, the following line is appropriate, otherwise remove it. Also see each Port.

If repairs are specific ports or by individual mechanics provide specific information as follows:

Yard or Mechanic's name/wiki/Martinique#.3Cspan_style.3D.22color:magenta_.22.3EYard_or_Mechanic.27s_name.3C.2Fspan.3EService icon Yard or Mechanic's name [[Martinique#Yard or Mechanic's name|Yard or Mechanic's name]] DD.dddDD.ddd description, location, tel. ++XX XXXX XXXXX, Email: [email protected].

Internet

Mobile connectivity

Is there mobile telephone signal such as G4, G3, GPRS in the island? How strong is the signal? Are there any blind spots?

Vehicle Rentals

In the Cul-de-Sac du Marin Marina and the airport.

Provisioning

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.

Transportation

There are daily flights to France. American Airlines flys (not daily) from Martinique and Saint Lucia to Miami. There is a ferry between Martinique and Saint Lucia, takes 1 1/2 hours and is poorly rated on Trip Advisor.

Eating out

Good food almost anywhere in the island. The French influence is apparent.

Tourism

History

Give a short history of the island.)

Places to Visit

There many places worth visiting on the island.

Mount-Pelée the Tallest Volcano in Martinique
Another Volcano in Martinique
Martinique, North Shore

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Martinique and this page's details validated: See individual ports in this page.


This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, TaoJones


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