Martinique Bareboat Yacht Charter

Martinique is one of the showcases of the French Caribbean. The capital, Fort de France, fully lives up to that description celebrating every aspect of the island's all-encompassing French culture with style and panache. Shops sell the latest goods from France, art galleries, theatres and museums encompass French culture and old men play boules in the squares whilst crowds sit at the pavement cafés watching the Citroens and Renaults drive by!

If it weren't for the tropical climate, it could almost be Paris, and while the capital and other towns provide the comforts, elegance and sophistication of France, other parts of this popular tourist destination offer visitors the classic Caribbean package. There are flawless beaches & white sand on the south coast, black in the north, secluded coves for swimming and snorkelling, reefs, unspoiled fishing villages, hot springs, lush rainforests, rugged peaks and exotic flowers and fruit everywhere.

Itinerary / Highlights

Just a short ride from the airport is Sunsail's base at Le Marin. The marina is set at the end of a beautiful lagoon and boasts all the facilities you could wish for: well-stocked chandleries, a supermarket for provisions and a variety of restaurants.

Cruising notes

Fort de France, the island's commercial centre and principal city is well worth a visit, while Anse D'Arlet is a popular, photogenic anchorage. Scenic highlights include the peaks of Carbet and Mont Pelée, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain on the island, plus trail upon trail through legendary tropical rainforest. But wherever you explore, you're likely to discover croissants and baguettes to remind you that you're in a corner of the Caribbean that is unmistakably French.

The island's large harbour and its many marinas have made Martinique a major sailing destination. The June Regatta is a four-day sailing festival attracting crews from throughout the Americas and Europe, while the five-day Tour des Yoles Rondes in August celebrates the traditional Caribbean sailing boats used by the island's fishermen.

St. Lucia
Sailing south from Martinique you'll come to St. Lucia, an island steeped in lush, natural beauty and cultural traditions where it won't take long to see why the French and British empires spent almost two centuries fighting to possess her. Today St. Lucia, attracts sun-seekers & many of them honeymooners, who find that the natural and unspoilt island more than lives up to their Caribbean dreams.

In the nature reserves, rainforests, botanical gardens and coastal mangroves you'll see exotic trees and flowers, magnificent tropical birds and marine life. Between March and August, you might be sharing a beach with turtles, ashore to lay their eggs. Stop over in the large protected lagoon of Rodney Bay for plenty of restaurants and shops to choose from, and just outside, spend some time on the spectacular Reduit Beach. Make sure you don't miss a visit to The Pitons, the twin volcanic peaks dominating the skyline 2000 feet above sea level providing an opportunity to visit a 'drive-in volcano' and to take a dip in the therapeutic sulphur springs.

Pigeon Island
Joined to the mainland by a tourism project in the 1970s, Pigeon Island is a mountainous point of lawns and forest. There are historic barrack buildings and many old stone fortifications, some restored but many in ruins. Find time to dive or snorkel through the undersea walls and canyons of the famous Jacque Cousteau Underwater Park. With its rocks, corals, octopi, multicoloured fish, neon tube sponges and sea fans, Jacques Cousteau rated it one of top 10 diving sites in the world.