.png)
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Martinique with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Martinique with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN MARTINIQUE
FRENCH FLAIR IN TROPICAL PARADISE
For yacht lovers who are dreaming of a vacation filled with French ambiance along with tropical temperatures and adventures, Martinique offers a sublime fusion of both. It is considered the cultural epicenter of the French Antilles, and with good reason. It has flawless Caribbean beaches with glistening white sands on the southern coast and up on the north shore, a contrast of black sand.
All over Martinique, secluded coves provide a resplendent place to tuck in for swimming and snorkeling among the reefs. The coastline is dotted with fishing villages that make time stand still in the most charming of ways. Hot springs, rugged peaks jutting into the sky, and lush rainforests filled with exotic flowers and plants are just a few more of the stunning surround you’ll see when you set sail on your yacht charter to Martinique.
The bay here in Martinique is considered among the safest in the Caribbean, thus the reason it draws in many yachtsmen and sailors for a gander at splendid unspoiled perfection. A charter yacht makes it easy to explore the Martinique coastline from Saint-Pierre, where once Mount Pelée erupted in 1902, to Sainte-Anne, a village known as the southernmost one here. There’s also the HMS Diamond Rock to see where the beckoning harbors and anchorages you’ll pass on your way will make you feel welcome.
Hardcore yacht enthusiasts and sailors shouldn’t miss a trip to Martinique. This island sees many events for sailing and yachting throughout the year. In August, it’s the Yole Boat Race. In February, it’s the Nautical Week of Schoelcher. In March, the Transcaraïbe des Passionnés boat race is held, plus there are many others to see.
...
BEST TIME TO VISIT MARTINIQUE
Martinique has a dry season and a wet season. Not surprisingly, the dry season is most popular. It’s between December and May when the weather is sunny and there is little rain to spoil your time. Temperatures hover at roughly 27°C. During the wet season, between June and November, the temperatures are around 30°C degrees Celsius and there is lots and lots of heavy rain. September is definitely the rainiest month. August is too, plus it’s more prone for hurricanes.
The water temperature is usually between 26°C and 28°C. Up in the mountains, it’s cooler. Hurricanes are possible in the months of September and October, particularly on the eastern coast of Martinique and not the best time for your yacht charter. If you like diving, you’ll want to come between October and May.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: DECEMBER TO MAY
TIME ZONE: GMT−04:00
LANGUAGE: FRENCH
CURRENCY: THE EURO
REASONS TO VISIT
DIAMOND ROCK.
DRAMATIC COASTLINE
GASTRONOMY
LUSH RAIN FORESTS
MOUNT PELÉE
RUM
SWIMMING AND SNORKELING
THE BEACHES
GETTING TO MARTINIQUE
Aéroport International Martinique Aimé Césaire is the only airport on the island. It’s located near Lamentin in the southeast, just a short distance away from Fort-de-France. You can fly into Martinique with Air Canada from Montreal; Air France or Corsair from Paris, and American Airlines from Miami and San Juan. You can also use direct regional services to take you to Guadeloupe, Dominica, Port-au-Prince in Haiti, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Havana in Cuba, St. Lucia, St. Barts, and St. Martin/Sint Maarten and Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. The regional airlines serving this area include Air Antilles Express, LIAT, and Caraïbes.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
You can also arrive via modern catamarans operated by L’Express des Îles that run between Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. They make a stop at Roseau in Dominica too. Departures from Fort-de-France to Castries in St Lucia are available three to five times per week. For services between St. Pierre and Pointe-à-Pitre, you can use Jeans for Freedom. They offer services one to three times a week, depending on the season.
Discounts are available for children under the age of two at 50% off. Students and children under 12 years of age get 10% off. Passengers younger than 26 or older than 60 get discounts of 5% off. The dates and times of departures change frequently. Also, the weather is a factor as well. The best way to ensure if service is available is to contact the ferry company, or connect with a local travel agent who can better assist you.
But sailing into Martinique aboard your luxurious yacht charter is ideal. Fort-de-France is the main port of entry, however yachts may also clear at the marinas of Marin or St. Pierre.
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN THE CARIBBEAN
WHERE TO STAY IN MARTINIQUE
Martinique has a wide variety of very well-organized accommodations in the tourist-prone areas. On the south coast in Trois-Ilets, Sainte-Luce, Diamant and Sainte-Anne as well as in Tartane, resorts and top tier hotels are easily accessible. Most hotel residences are on the south of the island. These have rooms, studios, and apartments all with a kitchenette for anyone that desires cooking during their stay.
There are also an extensive array of rental properties and furnished homes available for use by the locals. If you’d love to truly feel the rhythm of the life in Martinique, choose Gîtes like the ones offered by Gîtes de France and Clévacances. Luxury villas abound that are truly spectacular. Some of these are away from the main beach areas. It’s a good idea for families or for those desiring a bit more privacy on their yacht charter to Martinique.
For a more intimate setting, the bed and breakfasts in the north are a true taste of Martinique. They’re surrounded by nature and are quite relaxing. Another option are farm inns, called “fermes auberges.” These are becoming more popular and are ideal for those that want a different type of experience when visiting Martinique. Martinique is truly the kind of place that has an experience for everyone to enjoy. Plan your yacht charter to Martinique today to explore it tomorrow!
WINING AND DINING IN MARTINIQUE
It’s like France in the Caribbean, so a trip to Martinique is a fusion of cuisine that is sure to delight. Creole cuisine is most notable and French and Native American culinary techniques join forces with both African and Caribbean ingredients and South Asian spices. Cassava is one of the most well-known items and is usually featured with every Martinican meal. Creole cuisine is incredible and you should sample as much of it as possible in places like roadside barbecues to the full-on brasseries.
Boudin Créole
This blood sausage is a prominent appetizer which also goes by the name of boudin noir. Pork blood is mixed with fat from the pork, bread crumbs and spices that include allspice, cloves, and hot pepper powder. These are lightly boiled within their casings in water that is seasoned with chives. The difference with this sausage though is that the inside becomes soft, ideal for squeezing out of the casing onto bread or toast.
Crabes Farcis
This stuffed crab dish is usually served in a reusable plastic shell that resembles a toy for a child. The accompanying lime adds just the right hint of citrus to this rich dish, brimming with bread crumbs, crab meat, milk, lard, hot pepper, and green onions. Despite having hot peppers though, it’s not overwhelmingly spicy and is utterly delicious.
Accras de Morue
Made with minced meat from cod, these fritters are mixed with green onions and hot pepper. It’s fried to order in café stalls, the best of which can be found in the west end of the 113-year-old spice market in Fort-de-France.
Langouste Grillée
The spiny lobster that dominates the Caribbean waters is not a pretty thing to look at, however, the tastes are astounding. You’ll find it split in half and grilled, then topped with what’s known as dog sauce, a popular Caribbean condiment that has no dog in it whatsoever. It’s made with chives, peppers, onions and lime juice.
Lambi
Lambi is not a cute way to say “lamb” but rather, is the word for “conch.” You’ll find it in everything in Martinique from ravioli and fricassee to crêpes. The texture is akin to octopus, and it is divine in any way they serve it to you.
Ouassou
This freshwater crayfish is a delight for the palate. It has thin, long front claws and a big, fat tail that taste sweet and buttery.
Poulet Boucané
This is one of the most special dishes of Martinique. Barbecued chicken sounds boring, but trust us, this is no ordinary barbecued chicken. It’s marinated on the bone in citrus juices of either lemon or lime along with garlic and shallots for hours, often overnight. Then it is fired up on the barbecue. With a crispy skin, the ideal topping is sauce chien, better known as dog sauce, for an unbelievable gastronomic experience. Try it at barbecue stands on the beach, along the roadside or even in the waterfront restaurants. In the Fort-de-France market, you can even find it as a combination meal, typically accras de morue, poulet boucané, and a coffee for 12 euros.
Colombo Dishes
Thanks to the laborers of Tamil that arrived in Martinique and the other French Caribbean islands back in 1848 when France abolished slavery, the islands are blessed with their curry. This unique spice blend is called Colombo, named after Sri Lanka where many of those laborers came from. It’s milder than the curry blends from India yet absolutely fabulous. It’s wonderful on fish, goat, chicken, and pork, usually found in stews rich with coconut milk, carrots, and mangos.
Rhum Agricole
Just about every island in the Caribbean has rum distilleries, however Martinique’s rhum agricole is unique in that it uses fresh cane juice as opposed to leftovers from the sugar-making process. Tasting rooms in the distilleries are a wonderful experience to try out the offerings. St. James distillery near Trinite has a rum museum, and the Depaz distillery lets you take a self-guided tour around the grounds and equipment. If you visit the Caravelle Peninsula, you can try out the tasting room of the Hardy distillery too.
The Ti’ Punch
A famous drink made with rhum Agricole. It’s a very simple drink that includes the Martinican rum along with fresh lime and island sugar. Sometimes it is served with the sugar and spoon next to a glass of neat rum, or you may find it already mixed in.
Curry Terrine
This chunky meat spread from France is bound together by pork fat. The locals of Martinique love the stuff, much of it shipped over from France. You’ll find them on the shelves of the supermarkets as well as a few locally-made brands that have been Creolized with curry and other spice blends for a totally unique treat. It’s recommended to try both types to enjoy both styles of flavor.
