Yacht charter Le Marin

  By Lila Kergall 

March 1, 2022

Map of sailing areas in the Caribbean (clickable map)

Summary

1. Practical information for your yacht charter from Le Marin
2. What to do in Le Marin?
3. Where to sail from Le Marin?
4. The most beautiful anchorages from Le Marin
5. What sailing itineraries are available?
6. What are the weather conditions?

"The Grenadines are a bit of a sailing paradise. There are good winds, the sea is warm and the seabed is fabulous. We were very pleasantly surprised bythe warm welcome of the people there!" These are the words chosen by Bertrand when he told me about his cruise in the Caribbean on a Sun Odyssey 440.

1 - Practical information for your yacht charter from Le Marin

Renting a boat in Le Marin: with or without a skipper?

Average rates according to the season and the size of the boat

Below, you will find a table showing the average prices for one-week yacht charters from the Marin marina in Martinique. These prices are a rough guide and may vary depending on the season, the model and the age of the boat.

Le port du Marin

To reach the port of Le Marin, you will need to fly to Fort-de-France airport in Martinique. Don't worry, there are direct flights from Paris, and the airport is a 35-minute drive from the marina.

Located in the south of Martinique, the marina at Le Marin is perfectly placed for setting off on a cruise in the Caribbean Sea. It has 830 berths and around a hundred buoys for pleasure boats. A wide range of services are available, including electricity, Wi-Fi, water, showers, toilets and fuel.

Night-time departures are not recommended in this area due to the numerous reefs and shoals, which are more difficult to see in the dark. We therefore suggest that you take advantage of an early evening to stroll around Le Marin and enjoy the shops and restaurants that surround the port. For lovers of good wine, head to the wine cellar L'îlot Vin Marin to stock up before departure!

Our main partners on site

• Dream Yacht Charter is one of our main partners on site. Founded in the Seychelles in 2000, the yacht charter company aims to introduce its customers to the pleasure and freedom of sailing. They now offer more than 1,000 boats in some 60 destinations, including Le Marin in Martinique. In 2021, 338 Filovent customers set sail with DYC, and those who went on a cruise from Le Marin confirm the quality of their service, as they gave an average satisfaction rating of 17.5/20. "With Filovent and the rental company, everything was smooth, rigorous and efficient. From then on, the cruise was off to a great start!" These are the words of Philippe, a Filovent customer who went on a cruise from Le Marin with Dream Yacht Charter.

• RM Croisières is a company from The Caribbean that offers luxury sailboat charters from Le Marin for cruises to the north or south of Martinique. They are committed to providing a tailor-made service to their customers, and their professionalism is confirmed by the Filovent customers who have sailed with them, as they have decided to give them an average satisfaction rating of 19/20!

• Mermer Location is a family business founded in 2001. This charter company offers 6 catamaran charters in Martinique from the Marin base. They prioritize the quality of their services over quantity and have quite competitive prices! Filovent customers who went with Mermer Location gave them an average satisfaction rating of 18.5/20!

What to expect on a cruise with Dream Yacht Charter in the Grenadines

 

2 - What to do in Le Marin?

Martinique is the first island on your cruise, but that doesn't mean you should neglect it! This French island with its Creole culture will offer you breathtaking landscapes and a feeling of unparalleled change of scenery. What better way to start the trip?

As soon as you arrive at the port, let yourself be tempted by the flavors of The Caribbean and take the time to taste the culinary specialties of the region such as cod fritters, fried fish, but above all Ti-punch and Planteur ! To taste the best rums, we recommend visiting one of the island's 10 rum distilleries.

To help you on your way, here is also a list of restaurants around the port, suggested by our partner Dream Yacht Charter:

• Zanzibar Restaurant: This restaurant offers quality cuisine, mainly French and Caribbean. Arrive early to get a seat on the terrace with a view!
• L'Annexe: For meat lovers, enjoy a good pierrade (hot stone grill) at L'Annexe! Opposite the boats, you will enjoy fast service in a friendly atmosphere.
• KokOaRum Bar Restaurant: This is perfect for dinner or a drink in a cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant sometimes hosts concerts!

On the island, enjoy the most beautiful beaches as Xavier did before his cruise to the Grenadines: "We went to admire the sunset at Les Salines beach, the most beautiful beach in Martinique!". Located south of Sainte-Anne, this beach is indeed the most famous in Martinique for its picture-postcard landscape. Enjoy a romantic or family walk on the large Anse d'Arlet, or have lunch at the beach of Boucaniers while admiring the famous Diamond Rock. Located in the sea in the south of Martinique, this diamond-shaped rock is so named because of the reflections on its walls at certain times of the day. "For people who go to Le Diamant, you have to go to Marigot du Diamant, which is very well protected with few people, and when you go down on foot there is a great view of Le Diamant. Plus, there's a very good diving center," Christophe told me when he was telling me about his cruise around Martinique on the side of the boat of a Bali 4.0.

For nature lovers, the island of Martinique offers numerous excursion possibilities to discover remarkable waterfalls. For experienced hikers, we suggest you go to Fort-de-France, leave your car in a parking lot on Route de Didier and start the excursion towards the 3 Cascades de Didier. They are among the most beautiful waterfalls in Martinique. On your way, you will surely come across a few iguanas!

Finally, those who love beautiful exotic landscapes will quickly find what they are looking for in the theme parks. Vegetable gardens and flower gardens, such as the Ethnobotanical Park of Le Marin, invite you to recharge your batteries in a green setting. You can also visit the Creole garden with your family, located on the heights of the city, which is home to an incredible plant biodiversity typical of Martinique.

3 - Where to sail from Le Marin?

Setting course for the islands to the north of Martinique

"In the north of Martinique and in Dominica, the waters are transparent with splendid vegetation," Philippe tells me. He has set sail to explore the islands north of Martinique on the side of the boat of a Lagoon 42.

The first island north of Martinique is Dominica. An island of volcanic origin, it is undoubtedly one of the wildest islands in the Caribbean. Covered with thick tropical forest, Dominica will appeal to adventurers! Among the must-see sites, the Boiling Lake hike in Morne Trois Pythons National Park will take you on a journey of discovery through volcanic landscapes and breathtaking views of the sea and Martinique. To reach the second hottest lake in the world, we recommend that you hire a guide, as the route is quite demanding. The wild and jagged coasts of the island invite you to dive and snorkel to discover the volcanic formations of the seabed. An explosion of colors awaits you at Champagne Reef where you will make beautiful encounters: rays, octopuses, turtles, seahorses and so many others..

After your stopover in Dominica, set sail for the Îles des Saintes, south of Guadeloupe. The Saintes are an archipelago of volcanic islets in the French Caribbean. By boat, take advantage of the many anchorages around the islands and don't hesitate to go ashore in the fishing villages, they will be delighted to let you taste their catch of the day! A little further east, let yourself be charmed by the island of Marie Galante as Philippe did during his cruise in the Caribbean: "The anchorages in Marie Galante are spectacular! The waters were crystal clear and there were lots of lobsters!".

Adjustment of course and speed: Saint Lucia and the Grenadines

Choose a cruise to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and you will discover the jewels of this paradise archipelago: wild bays, small picturesque villages with a Creole rhythm, warm turquoise Caribbean sea... The Grenadines are often the first choice of yachtsmen, it is a real paradise on earth where time seems to have stood still!

Start your trip by sailing through Saint Lucia. "In Saint Lucia, you have to see the Pitons!" Jean-Luc, manager of the Dream Yacht Charter base in Le Marin, tells me . The island is indeed known for its two Pitons, volcanic needles that seem to emerge from the Caribbean Sea. We recommend that you follow the west coast to enjoy the island's most beautiful anchorages such as Marigot Bay, Anse la Raye orAnse des Pitons. On land, hiking enthusiasts can set off to discover the Soufrière volcano or the Sulphur Spring mud baths. Saint Lucia is also lush vegetation at the side of the boat and small fishing boats that come to sell you their catch of the day right from your boat. "At Anse la Raye there are lots of small boats offering lobsters for around USD20 a kilogram. We had a great time!" Xavier told me, having gone sailing in the Grenadines with his friends in January.

Located some thirty miles south of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, the largest island in the Grenadines archipelago, will immerse you in a setting worthy of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. And for good reason, the first episode of the series was filmed in the archipelago of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. You can visit Wallilabou Bay, the most iconic filming location in the movie! Many of the filming elements have remained intact on the beach, much to the delight of fans of the saga. The island of Saint Vincent is also known for its wild character and black sand beaches. Still on the west coast, to protect yourself from the trade winds, we advise you to anchor your boat in Chateaubelair or Cumberland Bay( ) before setting sail for the small islands of the Grenadines.

Continue your descent via the island of Bequia (pronounced "Bekoué" in Creole) where you can take a paddleboard or kayak trip in Admiralty Bay and dine in one of the many restaurants in Bequia Bay while enjoying the sunset. You will finally arrive in the paradise of the Grenadines when you reach the island of Mayreau, Mosquito Island (also known as Billionaires' Island), Canouan, Union and Petit Saint Vincent. Between all these islands, you will enjoy short sailings in turquoise and translucent waters.

It is almost impossible to turn back without having anchored boats at the Tobago Cays, the shortlist of yachtsmen on their Caribbean cruise. The Cays are 5 small uninhabited islands in the Grenadines archipelago. It is the perfect place for snorkeling in the reefs, to meet turtles and rays. A real picture-postcard setting, you won't be disappointed by this stopover! Finally, the Caribbean destination is known for its wind, which is ideal for sailing sports. "Sailors" can take advantage of being in this area to do kitesurfing or windsurfing just about anywhere!

4 - The most beautiful anchorages from Le Marin

Here is a selection of the best anchorages starting from Le Marin. This list is by no means exhaustive, as the sailing areas of The Caribbean are full of heavenly anchorages! The ones I have selected are mainly located in the Grenadines area, and have been tested and approved by Filovent customers!

Bequia

On the island of Bequia, I recommend that you anchor your boat in Port Elizabeth. A dream stopover in a lively bay with turquoise waters and white sand, you can enjoy a good meal and a cocktail in one of the many bars and restaurants on the side of the beach.

Mayreau

"Mayreau is an enchanting anchorage. It's a superb cove with very welcoming people, it's a little corner of paradise," Bertrand explained to me when he told me about his cruise in the Grenadines. On the island of Mayreau, you can anchor at Salt Whistle Bay or Saline Bay. If you prefer peace and quiet, I recommend heading for Twassante Bay: located between the two anchorages, it is generally less crowded and offers an equally idyllic setting!

Tobago Cays

"My best memory is of the Tobago Cays. We went snorkeling and went as far as the coral reef where we saw rays, all kinds of fish and turtles. It was fabulous!" says Bertrand, a Filovent customer.

At the Tobago Cays, you will be amazed by the turquoise, sparkling sea, the sandy seabed and the white sandy beaches. After some research, I recommend that you anchor your boat between the islands of Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau. Take out the paddleboard or dinghy to reach land, and enjoy a good meal in one of the grill restaurants on Petit Rameau. Stroll among the shafts to observe the iguanas and take out your masks and snorkels to swim with the many rays and turtles that surround the island!

Morpion Island

Morpion Island is the smallest island in the world! And for good reason, it is just a small sandbank with a straw hut with a coconut leaf roof on top. You can have a picnic there and take a superb postcard photo on this small deserted island!

Drone view of Morpion Island, in the southern Grenadines (Phase 2 video)

 

Union Island

 Just south of Mayreau is Union Island, part of the Lesser Antilles.

Just south of Mayreau is Union Island, part of the Lesser Antilles. I highly recommend anchoring your boat in Chatham Bay, where you can buy lobsters from the fishermen right on your boat or go ashore to enjoy one of the local restaurants.

5 - What sailing itinerary should you follow?

 Roberto, base manager of our partner RM Croisière in Le Marin, has some advice

Roberto, base manager of our partner RM Croisière in Le Marin , has this advice: "If you want to visit the Grenadines from Martinique, I recommend a cruise of at least 9 days. If you're going to sail for a week, I recommend visiting Martinique and/or Saint Lucia."

10-day sailing itinerary from Le Marin to the Grenadines

The archipelago of the Grenadines is a shortlist favorite of yachtsmen leaving Le Marin. The advantage of starting this sailing trip from Martinique is that the sailing itinerary will allow you to discover the lush vegetation and wild anchorages of the islands of Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia, before arriving in the Grenadines. Note that the crossing to the Grenadines can be challenging (about 90 miles). The sailing itinerary I propose devotes 4 days to the crossing (round trip - with stops on the islands of Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia) and 6 days to sailing in the Grenadines.

To avoid a complicated start to your cruise, I advise you to plan to arrive at Le Marin 1 or 2 days before boarding your boat. It is important to take the time to allow your body to adjust to the change in climate and the time difference. This will also give you time to discover Martinique.

Total distance traveled: 226 miles

• Day 1: Le Marin → Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia (30 miles ~ 6 hours)
• Day 2: Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia → Chateaubelair, Saint Vincent (40 miles ~ 8 hours)
• Day 3: Chateaubelair, Saint Vincent → Bequia (18 miles ~ 3 hours)
• Day 4: Bequia → Moustique → Mayreau (18 miles ~ 3 hours)
• Day 5: Mayreau → Tobago Cays (2 miles ~ 30 minutes)
• Day 6: Tobago Cays → Morpion → Union (7 miles ~ 2 hours)
• Day 7: Union → Canouan (7 miles ~ 2 hours)
• Day 8: Canouan → Cumberland, Saint Vincent (32 miles ~ 6 hours)
• Day 9: Cumberland, Saint Vincent → Anse la Raye, Saint Lucia (40 miles ~ 8 hours)
• Day 10: Anse la Raye, Saint Lucia → Le Marin (32 miles ~ 6 hours)

DAY 1: Le Marin → Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia (30 miles ~ 6 hours)

On the first day of sailing, you will reach Marigot Bay on the island of Saint Lucia. You can drop anchor north of the canal and reach the port by dinghy or choose to berth directly at the marina. The bay is renowned for being protected from the trade winds that blow from the northeast. The pretty, wooded port is perfect for a stroll, and you can enjoy the restaurants and shops nearby! I recommend dinner at Chateau Mygo House of Seafood, a Caribbean restaurant with its feet in the water, where you can admire the sunset.

DAY 2: Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia → Chateaubelair, Saint Vincent (40 miles ~ 8 hours)

Set off fairly early on the second day to reach the much wilder Chateaubelair Bay on the island of Saint Vincent. You will drop anchor and are sure to meet some boat boys paddling around to sell you fruit and offer to take you to the nearbyDark View Falls.

DAY 3: Chateaubelair, Saint-Vincent → Bequia (18 miles ~ 3 hours)

For the first day in the Grenadines, anchored boat at Port Elizabeth on the island of Bequia. It is a lively bay with many bars and restaurants along the sea! After enjoying a good swim, I suggest Mac's Pizza and Kitchen for a cocktail or a meal while admiring the sunset! Located in the middle of the bay, this restaurant is known for its value for money and friendly service. You can eat all kinds of food there. If necessary, you can stock up in one of Port Elizabeth's many supermarkets, Knights Supermarket is located in the center of the bay and is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can also refuel at the Bequia Marina.

DAY 4: Bequia → Mustique → Mayreau (18 miles ~ 3 hours)

Anchored boat for the day onMosquito Island at Britannia Bay. Enjoy a good lunch in the famous Basil's Bar, then take a taxi for a tour of the island and admire the houses and villas of celebrities like Mick Jagger! For the night, anchored boat at Salt Whistle Bay on the island of Mayreau. Take the opportunity to walk to Windward Bay (10 minutes on foot) on the other side of the island, and dine at the Ranch Escapade, known as a little corner of paradise. Enjoy a timeless dinner on a sparsely populated beach. On the way, you will come across the path of a small church, from where you can admire a lovely view of the Tobago Cays.

DAY 5: Mayreau → Tobago Cays (2 miles ~ 30 minutes)

Leave early for the Tobago Cays to find an ideal spot between Petit Rameau Island and Petit Bateau. The day will be spent diving to admire the fish of all kinds, rays and turtles. On Petit Rameau Island, go and visit the iguanas and enjoy the grills at the local restaurants! If the wind conditions allow it, you can stay there for the night (I still advise you to pay for a buoy). Otherwise, you can return to a sheltered anchorage on the island of Mayreau.

DAY 6: Tobago Cays → Morpion → Union (7 miles ~ 2 hours)

Set off forMorpion Island, the smallest desert island in the world! If there is no one there, have a picnic on the sand under the island's only coconut hut. Alone in the world, you will feel as if time has stood still. For the night, head to Chatham Bay onUnion Island, a calm and relaxing anchorage as it is not very touristy and only accessible by boat. Enjoy dinner at the Sunset Cove restaurant or at Seckie & Vanessa, which are very popular with boaters for their hospitality and food (according to Navily). There are no shops or services on this side of the island. Anchored boats can moor at Clifton Harbour, a more lively bay with access to various supermarkets.

DAY 7: Union → Canouan (7 miles ~ 2 hours)

Start the trip back to Martinique by stopping off on the island of Canouan. In Charleston Bay, I recommend having lunch at the Soho Beach House, where you can disembark on their private pontoon. You can stroll through the village and meet the locals. For supplies, Rebecca's Place Minimart is open every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

DAY 8: Canouan → Cumberland, Saint Vincent (32 miles ~ 6 hours)

Set off early for the trip up to Saint Vincent. Anchored boats at Cumberland, you will be well protected from the wind there! You can water-jet anchor and hang onto a shaft/coconut tree at the stern, the locals will be there to help you! There are two beach bars where you can enjoy a cocktail or a meal: Chez Djon or Mojito's Restaurant & Bar. A yachtsman offers you Wesley's contact on Navily for a delivery of fruit and vegetables directly to the boat: 178453348837.

DAY 9: Cumberland, Saint Vincent → Anse la Raye, Saint Lucia (40 miles ~ 8 hours)

Continue your ascent, heading for the Pitons of Saint Lucia. Anchored boat at Anse la Raye, a fishing village little known to tourists. The locals will offer to sell you their catch of the day straight from the boat!

DAY 10: Anse la Raye, Saint Lucia → Le Marin (32 miles ~ 6 hours)

The last leg of the journey will be the crossing between Saint Lucia and Le Marin. For this long voyage, you will need to set off early and enjoy the lush landscapes and the Caribbean Sea one last time.

6 - What are the weather conditions?

Like Martinique, Le Marin has a tropical climate. So, to make the most of the advantages that this destination has to offer, we advise you to go between December and May, when the climate will be dry with temperatures close to 29°C. It is still possible to go there during the wet season, as you have plenty of time to enjoy beautiful sunny moments during the day and it is at this time of year that it is at its hottest.

As for the winds, the trade winds are dominant and blowfrom east to west, especially from December to June. "It's a windy area, especially in the channels (between the islands). There can be a bit of a swell, so you have to be careful," explains Jean-Marc, manager of the Dream Yacht Charter base in Le Marin. The wind blows on the east coasts or in the channels between the islands with a wind force of about 15 to 25 knots. You can protect yourself in the anchorages on the west coasts of the islands. Finally, the cyclone season is between the months of September and October, so we do not recommend renting a boat at that time.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Philippe, Christophe, Bertrand and Xavier for their great testimonials and photos, which perfectly illustrate my article. Many thanks also to the base managers of our partners Dream Yacht Charter and RM Croisières for their valuable advice and Sailing itineraries!