Le Marin is the main yacht-charter base in southern Martinique and a practical starting point for exploring the leeward Caribbean coast, Fort-de-France Bay, and short international hops to Saint Lucia or, on longer trips, down to the Tobago Cays. The large, well-serviced Marina du Marin has around 830 berths and a field of mooring buoys, with technical services and provisioning concentrated on site, which is why most yacht charter Le Marin itineraries begin here.

Martinique yacht charter basics: where Le Marin fits

Marina du Marin: the charter hub on the south coast

Sheltered deep inside the Cul-de-Sac du Marin, the marina offers year-round facilities, fuel, berthing and repair services, and is set up for quick turnarounds for yacht charters. It is also one of the largest nautical bases in the Lesser Antilles, drawing thousands of visiting sailors each season, so reserving ahead in peak months is sensible.

Access to the west coast and Fort-de-France

From Le Marin it’s a short sail to Sainte-Anne and then up the island’s west coast, which is leeward and generally more comfortable for a first sailing holiday. Fort-de-France, the capital, sits on a large bay with multiple anchorage options and shore facilities, making it a logical mid-cruise city stop for museums, markets and restaurants.

Sailing conditions in Martinique

Wind, seasonality and average temperature

Martinique enjoys year-round trade winds. The drier, more settled period is roughly December to May, while June to November is wetter and includes the Atlantic hurricane season. Air temperatures typically sit in the mid to high 20s °C, and sea temperatures hold warm all year, averaging about 26.5–29 °C depending on the month. These sailing conditions favour short day-sails with plenty of time at anchor.

West coast vs east coast

The west coast (Caribbean side) benefits from the island’s mountains and offshore reefs, which moderate swell and make for easier passages between anchorages. By contrast, the east coast faces the Atlantic and is more exposed; it’s attractive for hiking and wild beaches near Cap Macré and Grand Macabou, but is not the focus for most charter itineraries.

West coast anchorages: Anse Mitan, Cap Salomon and Fort-de-France Bay

Anse Mitan and Trois-Îlets

Anse Mitan sits across the bay from the capital and mixes a beach setting with cafés, shops and frequent sea shuttles. It’s popular with visiting yachts looking for an easy shore day and basic services nearby.

Cap Salomon and the underwater trail

North of Les Anses-d’Arlet, Cap Salomon offers calm water in settled weather and an underwater interpretive trail established by the local municipality, which makes it a reliable snorkelling stop on a sailing vacation. Observe swim zones and local rules if you plan to take the dinghy ashore.

Fort-de-France Bay

The bay gives several options for anchorages with city access. Conditions vary with wind direction, so check forecast and local guidance before choosing where to drop the hook. For provisioning and shore services, the city is convenient before continuing north or south.

South coast day-sails from Le Marin

Sainte-Anne and first-night anchorages

Most itineraries open with an easy hop from the marina to Sainte-Anne. Good holding, a protected setting and straightforward dinghy landings make it a practical first or last night on a martinique yacht charter before exploring further.

Diamond Rock and the southern coastline

Continuing north along the south coast brings you past Diamond Rock, a striking basalt islet famously commissioned as a “stone frigate” by the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars. It’s a seamark and photo stop rather than a landing site, but it adds a distinctive waypoint to your sailing day.

East side beaches on foot: Cap Macré, Grand Macabou and Anse Grosse Roche

Cap Macré and wild Atlantic views

On land, Cap Macré sits at the transition between Sainte-Anne and Le Marin on the Atlantic side. The beach here is scenic and less busy than the Caribbean coast, reached by a track through coastal forest. Swell is more noticeable than on the west, so it’s mainly a shore excursion rather than an anchorage for most crews.

Grand Macabou and coastal hiking

Grand Macabou is known for a long, exposed strand and a sense of isolation. It’s best enjoyed as part of a coastal walk, with sea state often described as rougher than on the west.

Anse Grosse Roche: the arch on the trail

A short hike from Cap Macré brings you to Anse Grosse Roche, a wild beach notable for its rock arch and lack of road access. It’s a good objective for a rest day from the boat if you want to walk the Atlantic side and take photos away from the crowds.

Fort-de-France to Saint-Pierre: culture, history and diving

Saint-Pierre under Mount Pelée

Sailing north, Saint-Pierre sits under the volcano Mount Pelée. The town’s waterfront gives access to ruins from the 1902 eruption and a set of historic shipwrecks just offshore, which specialist centres visit when conditions allow. This adds historical context to a sailing holiday focused on nature and coastline.

Crossing to Saint Lucia and beyond

Rodney Bay from Le Marin

For many crews, a highlight is a short international passage to Saint Lucia. Typical distances cited by cruising guides for Le Marin to Rodney Bay are in the 24–40 nautical mile range depending on starting and arrival points, weather and routing. Always plan for daylight landfall, complete clearance formalities on both sides, and monitor the forecast for the channel.

Extending to the Grenadines and Tobago Cays

Longer charters sometimes continue south via St Vincent and Bequia to the Tobago Cays, famous for turtle sightings and lagoon anchorages. Each territory has its own customs, immigration and mooring rules; confirm current requirements and fees before departure and at each stop.

Boat rental in Le Marin: charter types and extras

Sailboat rental vs catamaran

Both monohull sailing yacht charter Le Marin and catamaran charter Le Marin are widely available in Le Marin. Monohulls are generally more budget-friendly and handier in tight marinas; multihulls provide more living space and a stable platform at anchor, which families often value. Many operators offer skippers and optional crew if you prefer not to self-sail. The concentration of bases in Le Marin means choice across sizes and layouts.

Practicalities: fees, services and formalities

On Martinique and neighbouring islands, expect a mix of anchoring, mooring buoys and marina nights. Local guidance notes small fees in certain bays, plus standard charges for customs and harbour dues when crossing borders. Clearance for the French Antilles has moved online, simplifying check-in and check-out, but you should still verify procedures before you sail.

When to visit Le Marin: high season and shoulder options

Dry season and high demand

December to April is the most popular window for sailing conditions: less rain, steady trades and warm water. The marina and anchorages are busier, and popular restaurants and services can be booked out around holiday periods. If you value quieter anchorages and more availability, look at May or November as shoulder months, adjusting your plans for showers.

Temperatures and sea conditions year-round

Air temperatures rarely swing far from the high 20s °C, and the sea stays warm, which supports a year-round charter season. Even so, channel crossings to Saint Lucia can become choppy when the trades freshen, so plan earlier departures and keep itineraries flexible.

Sample one-week itinerary from Le Marin

• Day 1: Le Marin to Sainte-Anne
  Short shakedown sail, swim and an evening ashore.

• Day 2: Sainte-Anne to Anse d’Arlet via Diamond Rock
  Coastal hop with a lunch stop off the rock for photos, then continue to a bay in Les Anses-d’Arlet.

• Day 3: Cap Salomon and snorkelling
  Morning in the water on the underwater trail; move north in the afternoon if conditions are calm.

• Day 4: Fort-de-France
  Cross the bay, anchor under the city and explore the market or a museum before a quiet night on board.

• Day 5: North to Saint-Pierre
  Combine history ashore with a guided dive on a wreck if the weather allows.

• Day 6: Return south with a swim stop
  Choose a west-coast bay that suits the forecast and enjoy an unhurried afternoon.

• Day 7: Back to Le Marin
  Fuel, formalities and hand-back at the marina.

Off-the-boat ideas: hot springs and rainforest walks

If you want a break from salt water, the hills above Fort-de-France shelter rainforest trails and small hot-spring areas around Absalon and Fontaine Didier. Road access and trail conditions change; check current information locally before setting out and respect closures and private property.

Book your yacht charter in Le Marin

Le Marin combines a large, serviceable marina, short legs on the leeward Caribbean coast, access to Fort-de-France and a manageable crossing to Saint Lucia, with the option to extend south toward the Grenadines. To compare boat rental options across sailboats and catamarans, add a skipper if needed, and secure a start date that fits your plan, book your yacht charter in Le Marin with Boataround.

Yacht charter and Boat rental in Le Marin

Charter a yacht and explore Le Marin! Prices start from 202 $ per day. Choose from the largest selection of catamarans, sailboats and power catamarans.

Popular marinas are Marina du Marin.