Martinique / Le Marin - The Best Sailing in the Antilles
This small village is famous among the yacht charter crowds for being a strategic stopping point for any boats passing by. Being an overseas department of France, it still bears that European charm blended with a hefty dose of colonial chic. All in all, a must see for yacht charters Caribbean.
General Info
The small village of Le Marin, with its marina takes its name after the commune on the island of Martinique, a French overseas department in the Lesser Antilles. It’s well known to Yacht Charter sailors as a good base for any trip around the islands.
The full name is Port de Plaisance du Marin and it’s positioned right in between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea in the west which it’s considered a strategic stop for any Yacht Charter passing by here.
Travel & Arrival
There is an international airport on the island which means that you can catch a flight here from many European countries, especially since this is practically part of France. The main countries that have direct links for Yacht Charter travelers are France, Venezuela, Guadeloupe, Germany, USA and Canada.
By water, there are mainly private boats arriving in Le Marin harbor but there are also some cruise boats that make stops here, not to mention ferries that connect with the rest of the Antilles islands. The cruise ships are full of Yacht Charter sailors but they only arrive in the summer season and most of them moor at Fort de France harbor.
Avant & Apres Sail
The island of Martinique in itself can be considered an attraction. The winding roads of the backcountry that hug the steep mountain slopes, the dense tropical vegetation which is beautifully represented in the Botanical Gardens should be a delight for the Yacht Charter nature lovers.
Old forts, churches and even a Hindu temple make up the rest of the sights available for Yacht Charter groups that visit Le Marin. Another interesting feature is the local casinos, since gambling in Martinique is legal. Some of you might want to try out their luck before hitting the beach.
The cuisine is a mixture of European and creole dishes, and for that reason many Yacht Charter enthusiasts find it it’s an interesting experience to dine out while here. Of course, you won’t miss out on the typical French delicacies such as wine, cheese and pate.
The nightlife consists of many bars by the beach, chic cafes, just like you’d find in France that stay open till late, but otherwise Le Marin does not offer much in terms of entertainment so you might find yourself traveling to neighboring Fort de France with your Yacht Charter crew for a good time after dark.
Events & Actions
The sun and the beaches around here entice even the most reticent Yacht Charter tourists to get a bit of a tan and even splash about in the waves. The sailing is also good and the marina here is recognized as one of the best in the Caribbean so those who are into yachting should feel right at home here.
The events range from cultural to nautical and religious. The nautical events such as the Yole Boat Race are held during the summer months and draw up reasonable Yacht Charter crowds on a yearly basis. There is an Aqua Festival in April and a four-day regatta in June around Le Marin harbor, not to mention a Fishing Tournament in October.
The cultural events are centered around the Creole music, art and dance, but since this is French territory, you’re going to encounter the same holidays and traditions like you would in France.