Martinique
From CruisersWiki
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Martinique.
Martinique
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Capital | Fort-de-France |
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Language | French, Antillian Creole |
Currency | Euro € (EUR) |
Time zone | ECT (UTC-4) , DST: DST not observed |
Calling code | ? |
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.
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
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.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
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
![Port of entry icon](/images/7/71/Poe.jpg)
![Marina icon](/images/c/cf/Marina_icon.png)
![Needs data icon](/images/d/d0/Question_icon.png)
Ports
-
- (Commercial Port)
Martinique Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
Sainte Anne
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Martinique and this page's details validated:
- June 2005 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
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).
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
There many places worth visiting on the island.
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
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)
Links
- Martinique at the Wikipedia
References & Publications
- Jimmy Cornell, World Cruising Handbook: Covering All the Maritime Nations of the World, Adlard Coles Nautical; 3rd edition (July 31, 2001), ISBN 978-0713658279
- Ashley Scott and Nancy Scott, Cruising Guide to Caribbean Marinas and Services, Cruising Guide Pubns (February 15, 2003), ISBN I978-0944428603
- Chris Doyle, Cruising Guide to Trinidad and Tobago Plus Barbados and Guyana, Cruising Guide Pubns; 3 edition (January 5, 2007), ISBN 978-0944428771
- William T. Stone and Anne M. Hays, Cruising Guide to the Caribbean, Sheridan House; Rev Rep edition (August 21, 1998), ISBN 978-0924486579
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. Personal experiences?
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. |
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, TaoJones |