Le Marin
round-trip.
Explore the French Caribbean with this 7-day Martinique catamaran charter itinerary. Discover Le Marin, Saint-Pierre, Anse Dufour, Les Salines, and more.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Le Marin → Le Marin
Embark day at Marina du Marin — the largest charter base in the Eastern Caribbean. Slip pre-allocated by the operator (EU 220 V/50 Hz shore power). No passage today: provision at Carrefour 200 m from the marina, dinghy the mangrove channels north of the harbour, and settle in before tomorrow’s first leg west to Grande Anse d’Arlet.
Route at a glance
Best season
December – mid-July (peak Mar – May)
Duration
7 days · Sat – Sat
Departure
Le Marin
Sailing area
Martinique
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who’ve actually run this passage.
Le Marin → Le Marin
Your charter begins in Le Marin, one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean and the sailing hub of Martinique. Before you set off, explore the town’s charming boutiques, bakeries, and local markets. Stock up on fresh baguettes, tropical fruits, and fine French wines for your journey. Le Marin is also home to stunning views across the bay and the nearby mangroves, which are perfect for a short paddle or tender trip if you arrive early. This is the ideal place to get comfortable with your catamaran and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Things to do
Stock up at Carrefour Le Marin (200 m from the marina)
Walk the boardwalk along Marina du Marin at sunset
Dinghy through the mangrove channels north of the marina
Dinner at Mango Bay or Le Zanzibar on the marina front
Mooring tip
Marina du Marin is the largest charter base in the Eastern Caribbean — your slip is pre-allocated by the operator. EU-style 220 V/50 Hz shore power and 16 mm fitting; bring an adapter if you charter from a US-based fleet.
Le Marin → Grande Anse d’Arlet
Sail west along the southern coast to Grande Anse d’Arlet, a postcard-perfect anchorage lined with a long sandy beach and colorful Creole houses. The bay is calm and sheltered, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding straight from your catamaran. The snorkeling here is exceptional—you’ll often see turtles gliding through the seagrass beds. Ashore, enjoy a seaside restaurant serving fresh fish, Creole specialties, and French-Caribbean fusion cuisine.
Things to do
Snorkel the seagrass beds for green turtles in 2–3 m water
Photo the church on the headland — most photographed in Martinique
Lunch at Ti’ Sable on the beach or Le Bidjoul for grilled lobster
Sunset paddleboard from the bay’s south end
Mooring tip
Yellow Atlantis-managed mooring buoys cover the bay (free for daytime stops, €10/night for overnight, paid via the mobile app). Anchoring on seagrass is forbidden — moorings only.
Grande Anse d’Arlet → Saint-Pierre
Continue sailing north to Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique. This lively city blends French colonial history with Caribbean rhythm. Visit Schoelcher Library, Saint-Louis Cathedral, and the bustling spice markets. For food lovers, Fort-de-France offers some of the best gourmet dining in the Caribbean. In the afternoon, sail further north to Saint-Pierre, once known as the "Paris of the Caribbean" before it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1902. Today, it is a charming town with fascinating ruins, a volcano museum, and cobbled streets. Anchoring here gives you a mix of history, culture, and dramatic views of Mount Pelée.
Things to do
Visit the Mémorial de la Catastrophe de 1902 (volcano museum)
Walk the ruined theatre and Cyparis prison cell
Dive the 1902 shipwrecks at 30–50 m off the breakwater
Dinner at La Tamaya in the cobbled centre
Mooring tip
Saint-Pierre Bay is anchor-only on volcanic sand at 8–15 m, no protection from north swell. Moorings (€15/night) at the south end of the bay near the breakwater. Don’t anchor closer than 100 m to the wrecks — they’re a marine archaeology site.
Saint-Pierre → Anse Couleuvre
Sail further along the northwest coast to Anse Couleuvre, one of Martinique’s most secluded and unspoiled beaches. Backed by lush rainforest and cliffs, this anchorage is perfect for nature lovers. Go ashore to hike the nearby trails through tropical forest, where you can spot exotic birds, tropical plants, and waterfalls. The black-sand beach here is less crowded than other areas, giving you a peaceful day in a truly wild setting.
Things to do
Hike the Trace des Caps trail through tropical rainforest
Swim from the volcanic black-sand beach
Watch for hummingbirds in the cliff foliage
Sunset dinner aboard with no other lights on the horizon
Mooring tip
Anse Couleuvre is anchor-only on black volcanic sand at 6–10 m. The bay is protected from easterlies but exposed to north swell — check forecast and back off to Anse Mitan if a swell event is forecast.
Anse Couleuvre → Anse Dufour
Head south again to Anse Dufour, a small fishing village famous for its calm turquoise waters and incredible snorkeling. The bay is home to a thriving population of sea turtles, which makes swimming here a magical experience. Onshore, the village offers authentic Creole charm, with family-run restaurants serving grilled fish and accras (Caribbean fritters). It’s the perfect stop to enjoy both underwater adventures and local hospitality.
Things to do
Swim with green turtles in chest-deep water (most reliable in Martinique)
Lunch on accras and grilled poisson at Le Bouchon Vert
Dolphin-watching trip — Anse Dufour is the island’s reliable spot
Walk to neighbouring Anse Noire for the volcanic black sand
Mooring tip
Anse Dufour has yellow Atlantis mooring buoys (€8/night) — anchoring on seagrass is prohibited and the bay is small (12 boats max). Arrive before noon in season.
Anse Dufour → Saint-Anne
Sail further southeast to Les Salines, one of Martinique’s most famous beaches. Stretching for over a kilometer, this palm-lined white sand beach offers shallow, crystal-clear waters—ideal for a leisurely swim or beach picnic. In the afternoon, anchor off Saint-Anne, a vibrant village known for its markets, lively waterfront, and beachside cafés. It’s a wonderful place to pick up artisanal crafts, enjoy fresh crepes or rum punch, and take in the festive island atmosphere.
Things to do
Beach picnic at Les Salines’ kilometre-long white-sand crescent
Browse the Saint-Anne Saturday market for crafts and rum
Sundowner crepe at La Dunette on the waterfront
Walk the Trace des Caps coastal trail south to Anse Trabaud
Mooring tip
Sainte-Anne Bay is anchor-only on white sand at 4–6 m, exposed to south swell only (rare). Excellent holding; the bay holds 60+ boats comfortably even in February peak.
Saint-Anne → Le Marin
On your final day, enjoy a short sail back to Le Marin. Depending on your schedule, you can fit in a last swim at one of the nearby coves or simply relax onboard before returning your catamaran. Le Marin’s marina is well-equipped, so you can end your trip with a celebratory dinner ashore—pairing French wine with Caribbean flavors—as you look back on a week of unforgettable sailing.
Things to do
Final morning swim at Sainte-Anne before weighing anchor
Top up fuel and water at the Marina du Marin fuel dock
Final lunch at Mango Bay or Le Zanzibar
Hand-back inspection with the charter operator
Mooring tip
Charter contracts typically require return by 17:00 Friday for inspection. Marina fuel dock fills early on hand-back days — top up between 09:00–12:00 to avoid the queue.
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