By Marine ISAIA 
By Marine ISAIA
- Where can you sail from the port of Le Marin?
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Bequia
- Mayreau
- The Tobago Cays archipelago
- When to go on a cruise to Martinique?
- How do I get to Marin?
Want to get away from it all? Head for Martinique for a cabin cruise in an idyllic setting! Discover Le Marin, the largest marina in the Caribbean, located in the south of the Isle of Flowers. In the heart of a sublime bay, it is an ideal starting point for sailing in the Grenadines archipelago. Numerous stopovers and splendid anchorages await you during your cruise in Martinique.
Timothée Pierard, a Filovent customer, set off in March with his wife and two daughters. "We set off on an adventure, we were looking for an original vacation, something out of the ordinary!" he told me. It was their first vacation on the water and they loved it! "We had a lot of questions and some concerns, especially for our daughters because they were young (3 and 5 years old). In the end, it was our best vacation ever. Not a week goes by that we don't talk about it!" he continues cheerfully!
The Pierard family on their cruise to Martinique. (Photo by Timothée P.)
Where to sail from the port of Le Marin?
Saint Lucia
Start your cruise by heading for Saint Lucia, the first island south of Martinique. This volcanic island is known for its two Pitons, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rising vertically above the sea. You will reach them after 5-6 hours of sailing from Le Marin, but they are definitely worth the detour! "First crossing to Saint Lucia. We anchored our boat at the foot of the two peaks. It was truly impressive and majestic. Being here on our first evening was incredible!! We felt very small and we were amazed!" Timothée tells me. "We went for a swim when we arrived, it was crazy," he adds.
Anchorage at the 2 pitons and Timothée's wife and daughters at the front of the catamaran. (Photos by Timothée P.)
Saint Vincent
Continue your cruise in Martinique by heading down to Saint Vincent, the main island of the Grenadines. Best known for being the setting for Pirates of the Caribbean, this island has a wealth of flora and fauna. During your stopover, set off to explore the many trails that criss-cross the tropical forests. Head to the summit of La Soufrière, the volcano that dominates Saint Vincent, and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Grenadines archipelago!
Bequia
"We then went further south to Bequia. It was nice to find a bit of civilization again and to be on land," Timothée tells me. A 20-minute boat ride from Saint Vincent, Bequia, pronounced Bécoué, is the second largest island in the Grenadines (18 km²). Its charm lies in its large white sandy beaches hauled in by turquoise waters. "Our anchored boat was in the open sea and we swam to land! We had lunch in a restaurant in the heart of a small picturesque village with a great atmosphere," he adds.
Restaurant and sunset in Bequia. (Photos by Timothée P.)
Mayreau
During their stopover, Timothée and his family stopped for a drink. "There's a fairly well-known bar, Chez Bob, in memory of Bob Marley and in the colors of reggae (green, red and yellow). It has a great atmosphere and is perfect for a fruity cocktail!" With or without alcohol, the choice is yours! "It has a great concept, with everyone leaving a note. It's amazing!" adds Timothée. A little further south of Mayreau you will see Happy Island, in the open sea off Union Island, one of the region's renowned kitesurfing spots. "It's a very small island with just one bar. As there is a lot of wind in this area, people come here to kitesurf, it's great to see!" Timothée tells me.
Timothée's daughters in the bar "Chez Bob" in Mayreau. (Photos by Timothée P.)
The Tobago Cays archipelago
"Arriving at the Tobago Cays was just exceptional: the color of the water is incredible and there are no big boats, only sailboats, catamarans and small motorboats. You really feel privileged," Timothée tells me, who fell in love with the Tobago Cays.
Tobago Cays is a small archipelago of 5 islands connected to each other by the famous Horseshoe Reef, a horseshoe-shaped coral reef. In the open sea to the east of Mayreau, this nature reserve is a must-see during your cruise to the Grenadines. Enjoy this picture-postcard paradise. The turquoise sea is warm and translucent, and you have superb white sandy beaches all to yourself. "It really is paradise, we swam among the turtles. There wasn't a single moment when we didn't see one... It was incredible!" Timothée tells me wistfully.
Arrival at the Tobago Cays and Timothée's wife and daughters at the Tobago Cays. (Photos by Timothée P.)
"On the island of Petit Rameau, we had dinner on the beach in a small traditional restaurant on old wooden tables with plastic tablecloths. Right next to a lobster barbecue! We had a luxury dinner in a super simple setting, we had the impression of appropriating this small island without constructions" he continues before telling me about his most beautiful memory during his catamaran cruise in Le Marin: "In the early morning, we went on an excursion to the island. On our way, we didn't come across anyone apart from large iguanas and tropical birds... We could even see the rays approaching the beach! In 15 minutes we arrived at the top of the island, where we had a superb point of view over the Tobago Cays, it was amazing!"
Barbecued lobster and Timothée's daughters on the beach at Petit Rameau. (Photos by Timothée P.)
The Tobago Cays are also world famous for their absolutely extraordinary diving spots. You will have the chance to see rays, turtles, sharks and a multitude of colorful fish... but that's not all! The most beautiful coral reef in the Caribbean is also found in the Tobago Cays archipelago. Put on your mask and snorkel and set off to explore the beauty of the seabed. "We went snorkeling every day, but the best spot is still the Tobago Cays with the turtles and superb coral. We bought a transparent buoy so that the children could see through it without necessarily putting their mast tops under the water!" Timothée tells me.
Panoramic view of the Tobago Cays. (Photo by Timothée P.)
When to go on a cruise to Martinique?
In theory, Martinique can be visited all year round thanks to its tropical climate. The year is divided into a dry season and a wet season. Filovent recommends that you take a cruise from Le Marin in Martinique during the dry season, from December to April. You will have sunny days with temperatures around 27°C. You will be able to take full advantage of the heavenly beaches. It is still possible that you will have some rain, but it will be short-lived and not very violent.
Panoramic view of Sainte-Lucie. (Photo by Timothée P.)
During the wet season, although temperatures are higher (up to 31°C), the atmosphere is heavy and bad weather is frequent. These showers are short but more violent and usually occur at the end of the day. The water temperature, to your delight, remains warm all year round, ranging between 26°C and 28°C depending on the time of year!
How do I get to Marin?
The only way to get to Martinique is by plane. From France, you can fly to Martinique from Paris, with a flight time of 9 hours. If you live in another French city, head to the capital and board a plane to Fort-de-France! Once you arrive at Fort de France airport, a taxi will take you to the port for around 50 USD and a 30-minute journey.
The Pierard family on Happy Island. (Photo by Timothée P.)
"I loved this vacation because you immediately disconnect and feel far from everything very quickly. It's a great experience for the whole family, we're much more in tune with each other and we make the most of our time together," Timothée tells me. He concludes our conversation by telling me that he had a "crazy experience, incomparable to any other vacation I've been on. Since then, I've got my boat license!"
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