Martinique

Martinique is the logistical hub of the Windward Islands charter trade. Le Marin, on the island's sheltered south coast, houses one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean — over 1,500 berths in a mangrove-fringed bay, with charter companies, chandleries, a fuel dock, and a supermarket within walking distance. The concentration of charter operators here makes Le Marin the natural departure point for itineraries running south through St Lucia, St Vincent, and the Grenadines. The island itself is a French overseas department, volcanic and mountainous. Mont Pelee, the volcano that destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre in 1902, dominates the north. Saint-Pierre, partly rebuilt, retains ruins from the eruption and an underwater archaeological site where sunken ships lie in the harbour. Fort-de-France, the capital, has a covered market, a cathedral, and the Bibliotheque Schoelcher — a colourful iron-frame building shipped from Paris in pieces. The west coast, in the lee of the mountains, provides sheltered sailing and a sequence of anchorages. Anse d'Arlet is a popular overnight stop — a small fishing village with a church on the beach, good holding, and a handful of restaurants. Grande Anse, further north, offers a wider bay and a dark-sand beach beneath coconut palms. The east coast faces the Atlantic and is generally too rough for comfortable cruising. From Le Marin, the passage south to St Lucia is approximately 25 nautical miles, crossing the St Lucia Channel. The trade winds make this a reach or a broad reach heading south, and a beat heading north on return — a factor that influences itinerary planning. Most charterers head south and work their way back, arriving at Le Marin on the final day with the wind behind them. Provisioning at Le Marin is the best in the Windward Islands. The Carrefour supermarket near the marina stocks French-standard goods — cheese, wine, baguettes, charcuterie — at prices that, while higher than metropolitan France, are competitive for the Caribbean. The rum selection, naturally, is extensive. Fuel and water are available at the marina. Le Marin's position as a charter hub means that parts, repairs, and marine services are readily available.