Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages

Martinique is blessed with excellent facilities, large and small. There are plenty of anchorages to the south of the island making an ideal stopver for those wishing to head further south.

Tides and Currents

Tidal range is very small, and currents are generally weak.

Weather

Martinique enjoys tropical weather and easterly trade wind. The Winter season is generally dry. It is more humid from the end of August to the end of October. Mean air temperatures vary between 22 and 30°C and sea water stays between 24 and 28°C. Tropical days are short. Sun rises at 6am and sun sets around 6pm. The winds are blowing from North-East to South-West and are between 10 and 20 knots in summer, 15 to 25 knots from November to May. Sailing in the Caribbean is easy, but you have to look out for coral reefs and rocks as soon as you approach the coast. The sea is in general smooth but a little rougher in the channels between the islands.

Food and Wine

Blending French and Caribbean cuisine, the Creole style needs no introduction - it is the best!

History

Martinique is one of the largest islands in the Lesser Antilles (1100 Km²). The mountainous part has 2 main peaks: Mont Pelée in the north and Les Pitons du Carbet in the central section. Bougainvillea, anthuriums, bamboo and many varieties of exotic trees are decking the woodlands. All over the island you find sugarcane and banana fields. Introduced around 1640, slavery was abolished only in 1848. Martinique is a department of France since 1946, whose capital is Fort de France, and was made a centre for sugar production.

Charter Bases

Bassin Tortue, Port de Plaisance in Le Marin.

Getting There

With Air France from Paris, there are plenty of same-day connecting regional flights from the UK. Flight time (Paris to Martinique) is approx. 8 and a half hours. Budget for £600.00 per person (Economy).