Port Marin – The Giant of the Caribbean
Charter guests who only feel really good among many other birds of a feather will love Port Marin – as many as 600 berths for yachts of all sizes wait for the guests.
Location & Approach
A province of France in the Caribbean Sea, Martinique island has a well-developed Yacht Charter infrastructure that attracts a regular flow of sailors to the its waters. This is especially true for the waters of the well-protected lagoon where the Port du Plaisance Marin Marina is located, in the southwestern part of the island.
The reason why this marina is so popular is because it offers plenty of mooring spaces and also is reported to the best hurricane hole in Martinique (hurricanes occasionally affect Caribbean islands during the summer months). The fact that it plays the double role of a port of entry only increases its appeal to the Yacht Charter community. This area also has significant tides.
There are no breakwaters since the shallow lagoon offers such a good protection, just a series of pontoons perpendicular to the shoreline. However, the lagoon is both a friend and foe to the Yacht Charter skipper, because the approach is made difficult in these shallow waters. One must follow a narrow winding path around reefs and sand bars. Although this navigating corridor is clearly marked, the marking system is an American one which might confuse European sailors (remember to keep the red marker on you starboard side).
Infrastructure & Ambience
This particular marina is operated by the township and it offers a generous 600 berthing places for Yacht Charter yachties along the floating docks or off-shore moorings. The contact with the marina is made on VHF radio channel 9, after which they’ll send an attendant in an inflatable boat for assistance. The marina assistance works during the night too.
The marina services are all clustered together which will probably save your Yacht Charter crew some time. Here you can find water and electricity connections, a boat yard that carries out repairs such as a mechanics, sails, rigging and electronic, a fuel dock, a chandlery, internet access, an ATM cash machine, provisioning supermarkets, lots of bars and restaurants outside the marina, a laundry service, as well as the necessary showers and toilets.
The town is very well connected by road to other places on the island, but there are plenty of things to see and do here too. Just navigating around the lagoon will surely take a few days from your Yacht Charter trip. When all else fails, try shopping for some of the local rum or French wines which would make a lovely souvenir.