Anse Cafard
Cap Cafard anchorage · Diamond Rock approach
14°25.6'N 61°00.0'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sand in 4–10m. Day anchorage primarily — exposed to south/west in afternoon. Set anchor firmly and dive to confirm before leaving vessel.
About This Anchorage
Anse Cafard is a bay on Martinique's southwest tip, most famous for the haunting Mémorial de l'Anse Cafard — fifteen 2.5-metre white marble statues of chained enslaved people, arranged on a hill overlooking the sea, commemorating the 1830 wreck of a slave ship that ran aground here with 300 enslaved Africans aboard. The memorial by sculptor Laurent Valère is one of the most powerful monuments in the Caribbean. The anchorage itself is a sand-bottom bay with good holding and NE trade wind protection, serving as a stopover before or after a rounding of Diamond Rock. The nearby Rocher du Diamant is clearly visible 1.5nm to the south — the anchorage provides an excellent viewpoint for photographs. The bay is relatively sheltered by the south coast topography but the western exposure means it is primarily a day stop rather than an overnight anchorage.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral; DAPN regulations apply; no overnight recommended due to W/SW exposure.
Hazards
- !Western and southern exposure — afternoon trades can make anchorage uncomfortable; day stop recommended
- !Shallow reef patches near headlands — approach from north only
- !Limited facilities — arrive well-provisioned from Le Marin
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit the Mémorial de l'Anse Cafard on the hill above the bay — one of the most moving monuments in the Caribbean
- →Use as a lunch stop when rounding Diamond Rock in either direction
- →Le Diamant village (1nm north) has a few local restaurants and a small market
- →Diamond Rock is clearly visible to the south — the best viewpoint for photography before or after visiting
Facilities
No facilities at anchorage. Le Marin (7nm east) for full facilities. Small restaurants in Le Diamant village (1nm north).
Nearest provisions: Le Marin (7nm) (7nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May, day anchorage. Primarily a historical/sightseeing stop before or after rounding Diamond Rock.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Martinique waters, dragging toward coral or seagrass carries fines up to €22,500 under French environmental law. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can sleep soundly and explore the French Caribbean with confidence.
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