Caribbean, Windward Islands
Le Marin in Martinique is the largest charter base in the Windward Islands: a French-run marina with hundreds of yachts, easy provisioning, and St Lucia, Dominica and the Grenadines within reach depending on how far you want to sail.
YACHT TYPES
Catamarans 40 to 52 ft dominate; sailing yachts 40 to 50 ft; crewed catamarans for groups who want to relax.
A typical week from Le Marin
One week is Martinique plus St Lucia; two weeks reach the Grenadines with a one-way to Grenada. The loop below is the one-week version.
Day 1, Le Marin to Sainte-Anne (3 NM). A short first leg to the big anchorage off the village, and a swim at Les Salines.
Day 2, to the Anses d'Arlet (15 NM). Grande Anse d'Arlet's buoys and turtles, Anse Noire for the black sand.
Day 3, to Rodney Bay, St Lucia (24 NM). The channel crossing on a beam reach; clear in at the marina, then the anchorage inside the lagoon.
Day 4, to Soufrière and the Pitons (20 NM). Buoys under the Pitons, managed by the marine park; the most photographed anchorage in the Caribbean.
Day 5, to Marigot Bay (12 NM). The hidden bay from the films, with a marina and restaurants.
Day 6, back to Le Marin (30 NM). The longest day, upwind and up-current; leave at dawn or break it at Sainte-Anne.
The southern route via St Vincent, Bequia and the Tobago Cays is described on our Caribbean itineraries.
Practical points for a Martinique charter
Licences and formalities
Martinique is France: yachts are French-flagged, EU rules apply, and a recognised licence or a solid sailing CV is enough for bareboat. Crossing to St Lucia or Dominica means clearing customs out and in; the online clearance system makes it a formality but it still costs a morning.
Wind and sea
Trade winds from the east at 15 to 25 knots from December to April, stronger in the channels between the islands, where the Atlantic swell adds 2 m seas. Sailing in the lee of the islands is flat and fast. Catamarans handle the channels more comfortably; monohulls sail them better.
Costs and provisioning
Le Marin has the best provisioning in the Windwards: French supermarkets, a chandlery, delivery to the pontoon, and euros everywhere. Buoys at the Pitons and in the Arlet bays are charged; anchoring elsewhere is free. Budget for the deposit or waiver, clearance fees and the one-way fee if you finish in Grenada.
Getting there
Fort-de-France airport has daily flights from Paris and connections from Miami and Montreal; the marina is 45 minutes by taxi.
Can we reach the Grenadines in one week from Martinique?
Not comfortably: Bequia is 80 NM south. Take two weeks, or a one-way from Martinique to Grenada.
Is hurricane season a real risk?
From August to October, yes, and most operators do not charter then. June, July and November are lower risk with lower prices; check the insurance terms.
Do Americans need a visa?
No for short stays; a passport is enough. St Lucia and Dominica are separate countries with their own entry.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, catamaran or monohull, one or two weeks, and whether St Lucia is enough or the Grenadines are the goal. We answer with three yachts at Le Marin and a route.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
More destination-specific guides are being prepared.
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