Martinique - The More Exotic Version of France
Want to feel like you're in Paris but still be on tropical shores? Then Martinique is the best place for you to visit, as this French department fulfills all requirements for your Caribbean yacht charter needs. From the port Le Marin you can set sail north or southward to explore the long arc of the Caribbean Antilles.
General Info
Yet another overseas department of France, Martinique lies in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, in between Dominica to the north and Saint Lucia in the South. Being part of the of the Lesser Antilles, the island is a hot spot for touristic activities which also include Yacht Charter sailing, an activity widely practiced in the Caribbean.
The island’s relief is dominated by the now dormant volcano of Mount Pelee (but which in 1902 erupted and destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 people) with two different parts: the south side of the island with its numerous sandy beaches and the north side with the rainforests and black beaches, less frequented by tourists.
Historically, the island was inhabited by Arawk and Carib peoples very early on but it didn’t come into Western attention until Christopher Columbus sighted it for the first time in 1493. He didn’t land there until 1502 however, during his fourth trip. The French took over in 1635 and intensified the sugar cane, manioc and potatoes trade. In 1946 the colony was transformed into a department of France and that essentially makes it a part of the country.
Because sailing is held in such high regard here on the island, you’ll find lots of ports all along the coast, perfect to get your Yacht Charter holiday started. Some of the best places to visit are the countries capital Fort-de-France, Le Diamant (beach town near the famous Diamond Rock), Le Marin (the main harbor of the island), Sainte-Anne (most appealing town to tourists for its white sand beaches) and Saint-Pierre (the former capital destroyed by the volcano which still hold lots of historic buildings).
Most Yacht Charter visitors who’ve been here before say Martinique cities could almost pass for French ones, there’s really not much difference from the comfort, elegance and sophistication from back on the mainland, other than the tropical palm trees and the perfectly white beaches.
Law& Order
Since Martinique is a department of France, it’s only natural that French law is enforced. What that means for most Yacht Charter tourists coming from Europe is that it will be much easier to cope with the local laws. Essentially, Martinique is part of the European Union and it abides to the same laws and rules as other countries in the EU.
A proof of previous sailing experience will be necessary when chartering any boat, unless it’s a skippered or crewed boat. If you already have a license issued by a European state, then you should have no problem obtaining a local equivalent from the port authority. Depending on the Yacht Charter company you choose, you might be able to get the papers in advance if you provide your charter with the necessary paperwork.
The same French rules apply to visa and entry in the country itself. A simple translation would be that citizens of all EU countries as well as American ones don’t even need a passport to enter Martinique, but what they do need is a return ticket. A passport is required for British, Canadian and Australian nationals as well as all other Yacht Charter visitors from foreign countries.
All travel visas issued are valid for a period of 90 days, except for Australian tourists which are only allowed a one-month stay in Martinique. EU nationals are not required to get a long stay visa even for trips that exceed the 90 day period which means that you can extend your Yacht Charter holiday as long as you like.