Le Marin Marina Bay
Le Marin · Marina du Marin · Cul-de-Sac du Marin
14°28.1'N 60°52.4'W
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for good holding on sand/mud in 2–5m. The bay is extremely well-protected — virtually enclosed. Reduce to 45m in settled conditions. Marina mooring buoys available for rent as alternative to anchoring. In strong E winds, some swell can push in — maintain vigilance.
About This Anchorage
Le Marin is widely regarded as the finest cruising base in the entire Caribbean — a deep, well-protected bay on Martinique's south coast that offers everything a serious offshore cruiser needs in one place. The marina itself has hundreds of berths, a diesel barge (cheapest fuel in the French Caribbean), haul-out facilities at TechMar shipyard (one of the few in the Eastern Caribbean capable of handling vessels over 60 feet), a full chandlery, sailmaker, rigger, and engine workshops. Charter fleets from Antilles Sail, Sunsail, Moorings and others operate from here, making provisioning infrastructure excellent. The town of Le Marin has two well-stocked supermarkets (Carrefour Market), a covered market with fresh produce, fish market, boulangeries, and restaurants ranging from simple Ti-Punch bars to serious French gastronomic tables. Non-EU vessels should clear customs here (the customs office is in the marina complex). This is the best hurricane preparation base in the Windwards — many vessels leave on the hard at TechMar for hurricane season.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E · S · SE · SW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in sand/mud; marina berths and mooring buoys available — contact capitainerie
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral or seagrass — DAPN regulations apply; maintain clear channel to marina entrance and diesel barge; speed limit in bay 5 knots.
Hazards
- !Extreme congestion December–April — arrive before noon to anchor in preferred spot; mooring buoys fill fast
- !Charter boat traffic throughout the bay — high maneuvering traffic especially mornings and late afternoons
- !Ferry wake from vedettes crossing the bay can cause rolling — set anchor firmly with engine test
- !Shoals at head of bay near river mouth — anchor in charted areas only; use SHOM chart 4651
- !Strong E winds in December–January can create chop inside the bay despite general protection
Skipper's Tips
- →The diesel barge in Le Marin bay offers some of the cheapest marine diesel in the Eastern Caribbean — top up before leaving Martinique
- →TechMar boatyard is the best haul-out facility in the Windwards — book months ahead for hurricane storage or serious work
- →The capitainerie VHF Ch 9 — call ahead in peak season to arrange mooring; anchorage fills rapidly in January–March
- →Carrefour Market in Le Marin town (300m from marina) has excellent provisioning — wine, cheese, charcuterie, and all provisions
- →Non-EU vessels: customs office is in the marina complex — clear here or Fort-de-France; do not sail to other anchorages before clearing
Facilities
Multiple restaurants in marina complex and town — French creole cuisine, pizza, sushi, Ti-Punch bars. Carrefour Market supermarket 300m. Covered market for fresh produce and fish.
Nearest provisions: Le Marin town (marina complex) (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May (dry season, steady NE trades). This is the premier hurricane prep and refit base — many cruisers leave vessels here on the hard for June–November season. Best provisioning and repair facilities in the Windward Islands.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
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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