Sainte-Anne

A popular access point into the island of Martinique, Sainte-Anne is a bustling community of postcard-worthy beaches and a bounty of things to do during a yacht charter vacation. Cruise to the nearby anchorage and take the dinghy to La Pointe Marin, a breathtaking blue-water beach with dozens of bars, restaurants and shops nearby. Snorkel and swim among the vibrant reefs near the shore, or venture inland and explore the small-town streets lined with painted wooden houses and one-of-a-kind shops.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr Sailing time
• 24 Nautical miles

Mooring

There’s an attractive anchorage just across from Sainte-Anne, six nautical miles from Le Marin. The holding is good. Anchor across from the small town and take the dinghy across to the dock.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

Dining, Shopping, Swimming, Sunbathing, Hiking

Facilities

Cul-de-Sace du Marin Marina in nearby Marin offers a variety of stores, a bakery, restaurants and car rental service.

Le Pointe Marin

For a beautiful beach experience, look no further than La Pointe Marin on the southern end of Martinique. Offering miles of bronze sand and calm blue water, Pointe Marin blends the best of seclusion and scenery for a relaxing reprieve from the everyday. Far from the typical beach crowds, La Pointe Marin offers a variety of things to do for visitors of all ages. Head to Club Med for resort-style amenities including bars, restaurants, and rentable water sports equipment like scuba gear and kite boards. Or, take the two-minute walk into town and explore the outdoor market filled with one-of-a-kind foods, crafts, accessories and more.

Grand Anse D’Arlet

One of Martinique’s most beloved beachside towns, Grand Anse d’Arlet offers an array of activities and attractions for travelers of all ages. Pick a spot and kick back on the half-mile strip of golden sand where the protected clear-blue waters provide an idyllic location for swimming. A handful of hotels and restaurants line the coast and there’s a local art gallery about a half-mile into town, but ultimately the beach reigns supreme in Grand Anse’ d’Arlet.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 15 Nautical miles

Mooring

Mooring buoys are available for a small daily fee. Anchoring, however, is strictly prohibited in the waters of Grand Anse d’Arlet.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

Dining, Shopping, Swimming, Sunbathing

Facilities

There is a small marina about three miles north-east on Pointe du Bout. Here, you can explore a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants within walking distance.

St. Pierre

Saint-Pierre is a small town on the northwest side of Martinique. Sitting at the base of the infamous Mt. Pelee, this island community is home to a number of unique attractions that make it a must-visit on your charter from St. Lucia. After a massive volcanic eruption occurred here more than 100 years ago, Saint-Pierre was completely rebuilt around the ruins of its former self. Venture into town and explore the pristine ruins before a walk through the nearby museum. Sink your toes into the black sand beach, or cruise only a couple hundred yards off the shore to see more than 10 shipwrecks just below the surface.

The day’s sailing

• 1.5 Hr Sailing time
• 17 Nautical miles

Mooring

In order to preserve its famous shipwrecks, the French state has designated the coast of Saint-Pierre as a no anchor zone. Four mooring buoys are available around the various sunken ships.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

Explore the ruins of old St Pierre, demolished by a volcanic eruption from nearby Mt Pelee in 1902. Relax on the black-sand beach or venture off the coast to explore shipwrecks from Saint-Pierre’s pre-disaster past.

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

Mount Pelee

This skyscraping mountain is in equal parts beautiful and infamous — beautiful for its lush rainforest and exhilarating views from its 4,583-foot summit, infamous for the volcanic eruption that occurred here in 1902. Decimating most of Martinique, the disaster sparked an architectural renaissance, the results of which you can see today in plenty of structures still standing throughout the island. A hike up Mount Pelee is a moderately strenuous affair. Starting in neighbouring towns like St Pierre and Le Precheur, hiking trails range in distances from two to five miles and durations of four to eight hours with regular breaks.

Anse Mitan

Sitting on the southwest edge of Martinique, Anse Mitan is a palm-studded beach offering deep clear water and a quaint array of restaurants and attractions just foot steps away from the shore. Feast on fresh-caught seafood or get adventurous and snorkel in a wide-open world brimming with sea life. Just a mile and a half away, the town of Trois Ilets is the place to be when the sun goes down. Visit Casino Trois-Ilets and challenge yourself with classic games like roulette, stud poker and craps. Designed in the style of New Orleans’ famed French Quarter, the Casino offers everything from live music to dancing, refined cuisine and more.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 15 Nautical miles

Mooring

Many boaters choose to anchor in the bay. There’s also a small marina just a short cruise north-east on Pointe du Bout.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

Relax with your favourite cocktail on the beach, or visit any one of the nearby restaurants for a taste of some of the freshest seafood in the Caribbean. Visit nearby Trois Ilets to experience a variety of attractions including a famous casino, restaurants, live music venues and more.

Facilities

You‘ll find repair facilities, shops and supermarkets in the area surrounding the marina.

Les Trois-Ilets

Named after three nearby rock formations, this quaint island community is known for its unique architecture and laid–back way of life. Perhaps its biggest claim to fame, Les Trois–Ilets was the birthplace of Napoleon’s empress, Josephine, who lived and worked here in the late 1700s. Today, you can visit her estate and the church where she was baptised ‒ now a museum named Musée de la Pagerie. When night falls, enjoy dinner at a traditional French restaurant before testing your luck at Casino Trois–Ilets, a sprawling casino built in the style of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Marigot Bay

Tucked away below the verdant hilltops on the west side of St. Lucia, Marigot Bay is a secluded anchorage for boaters seeking a relaxing quiet harbor during their journey along the coast. Charming homes overlook the seas in a colorful collage of white and red-topped roofs. The nearby Marina Village features a variety of unique stores and boutiques perfect for shopping. Waterfront restaurants offer an array of French, Creole, and Caribbean cuisine with the added benefit of jaw-dropping sunset views.

Marigot Bay is one of the most scenic bays in the Caribbean, full of beautiful greenery and excellent restaurants. As you enter the harbor Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort will be located on your left, here you can choose one of their dining options. Whether you stop in for just a drink or for a three-course gourmet dinner, they never disappoint.

The day’s sailing

• 7 Hr Sailing time
• 37 Nautical miles

Mooring

Sheltered anchorage space and mooring buoys available for use. 

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

An attractive waterfront greets visitors entering Marigot Bay from the sea. The area is protected by sloping hills and dotted with various restaurants known for their French cuisine. Take a sightseeing tour of the surrounding land or head to St Lucia’s marine park for excellent diving and views of the numerous shallow reefs near the shore.

Facilities

Fuel, water, ice, provisions, taxicabs, car rentals, ATM, and Internet access are available.

The Pitons

The twin conical peaks of Petit Piton and Gros Piton are among the most noteworthy landmarks in St. Lucia. Cruising in the Pitons is certainly magic to the eyes of countless cruisers who visit every year. Just north of Petit Piton is the small town of Soufriére, which shares the name of the nearby dormant volcano, the only one in the world that you can drive a car right inside!

Creole buildings with gingerbread trim give the place an Old-World ambience. Enjoy window-shopping and dining out in a variety of shops and restaurants here. Both scenic and accommodating to boaters, the waters around the Pitons are part of the Soufriére Marine Management Area and a highlight of yachting in St. Lucia.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 10 Nautical miles

Mooring

Moorings are available at numerous locations. Anchoring is permitted only in certain locations.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks are plentiful.

Things to do

There are many restaurants along the shore and in town. The most elegant is the Hummingbird Restaurant at Hummingbird Resort. Sulfur Springs, the volcanically heated waters of Diamond Baths and its surrounding tropical gardens, guided hiking tours in the rainforest near Morne Fond St Jacques (drop in at the Soufriére Marine Management office in town for more information), Maho waterfalls, and the Jalousie Plantation (part of Sunswept Resorts) are among the attractions in and around Soufriére.

Facilities

Fuel, water, ice, provisions, taxicabs, car rentals, and Internet access are available.

The Pitons, St Lucia

A favoured first stop for those travelling St Lucia’s waters is at the Pitons, conical peaks that rise more than 2,000 feet from the sea. Gros Piton and the smaller Petit Piton have been named a World Heritage Site and are stunning landmarks when arriving by sea. The two volcanic plugs have challenged hikers to climb the lush slopes that look out over a breathtaking seascape. Further out is the town of Soufriére where you can dine along the beach, swim on the reef or take in the view from the top of Gros Piton.

Rodney Bay

Situated on the north side of St. Lucia, Rodney Bay offers easy access to restaurants, shops and island attractions. The full-service marina is surrounded by protected waters and brings visitors into a scenic area of the island with nearby beaches, such as Reduit Beach. Explore the scenic Pigeon Island National Park surrounded by pristine waters or spend the evening at one of the many restaurants and bars for a sundowner and an unforgettable island sunset.

The day’s sailing

• 1.5 Hr Sailing time
• 19 Nautical miles

Mooring

Berths for sailboats and superyachts up to 280 feet with drafts of up to 15 feet.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy docks available.

Things to do

Rodney Bay is one of St Lucia’s most favoured areas for yachters seeking full marina amenities amongst a beautiful setting. Explore the bay with its eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and accommodations as well as its close location to some of the area’s quieter spots. Relax, swim or try a watersport at Reduit Beach and stroll along the national park just north of your anchorage to experience some of the island’s best natural features.

Facilities

Fuel, water, ice, provisions, taxicabs, car rentals, ATM, and Internet access are available.

Rodney Bay

Almost completely landlocked, Rodney Bay is home to a full-service marina, scenic beaches, shops and restaurants. The St Lucia base of The Moorings is where many sailors choose to begin their voyage. Before sailing away, take time to explore Rodney Bay, once a major British naval base and now a thriving yachting centre on the northern tip of the island. A park with gardens and footpaths marked with plaques about the history of the bay is a good way to learn more about your holiday destination. A favourite first stop for sailors is at the Pitons, conical peaks that rise more than 2,000 feet from the sea. Further out is the town of Soufriére where you can dine along the beach, swim among the reef or take in the view from the top of Gros Piton.