Sainte-Anne Village Anchorage

About This Anchorage

Sainte-Anne is perhaps Martinique's most charming village anchorage — a broad sandy bay on the island's south coast backed by a picturesque Creole village that has avoided the overdevelopment visible elsewhere. The anchorage offers excellent holding on a clean sand bottom with reliable NE trade wind protection. The village itself is genuinely charming: the main square has a church, a cluster of colourful creole houses, good restaurants, a lively weekly market, and the kind of authentic French-Caribbean atmosphere that brings cruisers back year after year. Just to the south, the Baie des Anglais and the wilder southeast coast are within easy day-sail range. Sainte-Anne is the closest anchorage to the famous Club Med village (now Club Med Buccaneer's Creek) at the south tip — the Club Med beach is technically private but the surroundings are beautiful. The holding is notably superior to Le Marin's silty inner bay — the sand here sets anchors immediately.

Hazards

• !Seagrass patches near the beach edges — anchor in sandy central area only; DAPN fines are enforced
• !Southern swell can push in after northerly weather patterns — anchorage becomes uncomfortable; no significant shelter from S/SW
• !Peak season crowding January–March — still less congested than Le Marin but arrive before noon for best position
• !Surf on the beach in southerly swell — dinghy landing can be wet; use the small pier in the village if available

Skipper's Tips

• →The Saturday morning market in the village square is excellent — fresh produce, local rum, creole food, and artisan crafts
• →Anchor in the sandy centre away from the beach edges where seagrass begins — the DAPN patrols this bay regularly
• →The village bakery opens at 0630 — a morning dinghy trip for fresh baguette and pain au chocolat is a Sainte-Anne ritual
• →For fuel and water, sail or dinghy the 4nm to Le Marin — no fuel dock at Sainte-Anne itself
• →If the anchorage becomes rolly from southerly swell, consider moving to the better-protected Cul-de-Sac du Marin inner anchorage

Nearby Anchorages