Rocher du Diamant Roads
Diamond Rock anchorage · HMS Diamond Rock · Rocher du Diamant
14°27.2'N 61°01.3'W
Depth
10–20m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m for fair holding on sand/rock in 10–20m. Day anchorage only — not recommended overnight due to exposure and currents. Set anchor in sand patch and dive to verify in clear water. Current runs strongly around the rock — snubber essential.
About This Anchorage
Diamond Rock — Rocher du Diamant — is one of the Caribbean's most extraordinary anchorages: a 176-metre pinnacle of basalt rising from the sea 1.5nm off Martinique's south coast, commissioned in 1804 as HMS Diamond Rock by Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood of the Royal Navy. For 17 months, the British garrison of 107 men used it as a fully armed warship, mounting cannons on the summit to harass French shipping in the channel. Napoleon dispatched Admiral Villeneuve with two ships of the line and 2,000 men to recapture it in 1805 — the same Villeneuve who would command the French fleet at Trafalgar four months later. The anchorage on the eastern lee is a temporary day stop for visiting the rock — diving around the base reveals extraordinary underwater topography with soft corals, turtles, and schooling fish. The currents around the rock are significant; approach from the east and anchor in the sandy patches. A must-visit for any historical sailing itinerary.
Protected From
E · NE
Exposed To
S · SW · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (day anchorage)
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Day anchorage only — not recommended overnight due to currents and exposure; no anchoring on coral; dive to check anchor placement in clear water.
Hazards
- !Strong currents around the rock — approach from east only; current can run 2–3 knots in the Diamond Rock channel
- !Fair holding only — rock bottom beneath sand veneer; dive to verify anchor is set in sand not on rock
- !No overnight anchorage — exposure to S/W and current make overnight unsafe in most conditions
- !Significant swell from the south can make the lee anchorage uncomfortable — choose calm settled days
- !Boat traffic in the Diamond Rock Channel (between Martinique and the rock) can be heavy — maintain watch
Skipper's Tips
- →Diamond Rock was commissioned as HMS Diamond Rock — a fully rated Royal Navy warship mounted with cannons on a rock; the history here is extraordinary
- →Dive the base of the rock — exceptional underwater topography with soft corals, black coral trees, and sea turtles
- →Depart from Le Marin or Sainte-Anne early (0800) to arrive before the afternoon trades build — return downwind
- →The channel between Diamond Rock and the Martinique coast is a favourite for wind surfers and kitesurfers — watch for them when transiting
- →In calm conditions, circumnavigate the rock by dinghy — the western face is dramatic and rarely visited
Facilities
No facilities. Day trip only — depart from Le Marin or Sainte-Anne well-provisioned.
Nearest provisions: Le Marin (8nm) (8nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May only — day anchorage. Best in morning calm before afternoon trades build. A highlight of any Martinique circuit despite being a day stop only.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
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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