YACHT CHARTER IN MARTINIQUE

Martinique is part of the Windward Islands in the Lesser  Antilles lain between the northern and southern islands of St. Martin  and Grenada. Due to its location on the dividing line between the  Atlantic and the Caribbean it is highly exposed to the northeast trade  winds during the wintertime and is well known for good sailing  conditions.

Martinique offers Caribbean classics of flawless white sand beaches  on the southern coast, and black sand on the northern coast.  Palm-fringed sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs, hidden coves perfect  for swimming and snorkeling, unspoiled fishing villages, hot springs,  lush rainforests, rugged peaks and exotic flowers and fruit everywhere.

Martinique has always been a rich, populated island,  characterized by its luscious foliage and varied landscape. Many  different groups of island peoples inhabited the area before it was  settled by the French in 1635. The French used the island to construct  sugarcane plantations, and farmed other tropical fruits and spices such  as bananas, coffee, cinnamon, and much more. The island was praised for  its plentiful harvests, and the sugarcane plantations helped make  Martinique the “Rum Capital of the World.”

In the 1600s, Martinique was the center for the French Antilles (the  West Indies), both culturally and politically. It hosted the best  resources for food, textiles, and luxury items including spice and rum  exports. The small island grew in popularity, and many French settlers  flocked to the area to stake their claim on the riches and bounty of the  West Indies.

Martinique never separated from the French Republic, and still  carries French influence in their culture and cuisine. French is the  official language of Martinique; however, most citizens also speak  Antillean Creole and some English. The Antillean Creole is still used in  many native song, literature, and in the everyday life of Martinique  natives. Martinique is a cultural melting pot, with both islander and  French influences creating a vibrant scene of art, cuisine, music and  more.

By the locals, Martinique is called the “Island of Revenants,” or  those who will always return. Each year, hundreds of sailors return to  Martinique for its unique culture and atmosphere. And every year, they  discover something new. Martinique is a small island, but one with many  great discoveries, places to see, and adventures to take. You can learn  more about the history of Martinique when you visit Le Marin the main  yacht charter base on the island.

As part of the French Antilles, Martinique has a unique blend  of Caribbean and French style incorporated into culture, business, music  and food. You can observe the French influence in the bustling markets,  French-Creole restaurants, and fashion straight from the streets of  Paris.

The French élan, or natural spirit, is felt in Martinique’s historical charm yet modern fashion, food and lifestyle. 

Martinique is known for a signature style of music, zouk, which  combined European and Caribbean styles of classical music in both  orchestral bands and modern electronic groups. Zouk music is often used  in Martinique’s festivals and traditional dance as part of celebration.  Vaval is the biggest festival of the year. It is a four-day extravaganza  leading up to Lent, similar to Mardi Gras in the U.S. This is a great  time for sailors to rent a boat or catamaran, as there is always  something to do, see, and enjoy during Vaval. Zouk and biguine dance  music dominate the local restaurants and festivals, and can be heard on  the streets far and wide in Martinique.

Martinique’s second cultural draw is the cuisine. Martinique  specializes in a fusion of French and Creole food, with heavy emphasis  on French fine pastries and Caribbean seafood. You can find restaurants  that serve three course meals for relatively inexpensive prices, usually  serving fish, shellfish, and native-grown vegetables and medleys. Many  restaurants will offer French wine pairings with your meal, or you can  opt for a traditional Caribbean rum. Hundreds of restaurants are  scattered across Martinique’s shorelines, collecting droves of sailors  eager to sample the unique food and its cultural significance.

Martinique is a real tropical paradise, from the crystal clear  waters to the untouched rainforest landscape that covers a majority of  the island. Martinique is unique to the French Antilles in its fertile  growing grounds and towering peaks. While the stunning landscapes of  Martinique are more than enough for one explorer to appreciate, there  are many nearby islands for you to stop and see during your yacht  charter trip.

The Arawaks, one of the first tribal peoples to inhabit Martinique,  called the island Madinina, “Isle of Flowers.” Martinique is covered  with exotic wildflowers, ranging from colorful orchids, to rare  frangipani and flamingo flowers. Hibiscus flowers are some of the most  prominent, and hundreds of varieties color the forests and the streets.  Those with a green thumb will love seeing the vibrant foliage present on  the island. It is unlike any landscape most sailors ever get to  experience.

Martinique is also home to the volcano Mount Pelée. It towers over  the island town of St. Pierre, known by the locals as the “Pompeii of  the Caribbean.” In 1902 it wiped out most of the town of St. Pierre,  however small villages eventually rebuilt along the shores. Mount Pelée  has not seen activity since 1932, and provides visitors a beautiful  sight to behold while sailing across the waters or travelling by land.

Though Martinique has plenty of history and culture to soak in  during your yacht charter. From Martinique, you can easily sail to St.  Lucia or St. Vincent. These two islands were also once European  colonies, and share some of the same history and blended culture that  Martinique has to offer. They provide you with more flavors, sights, and  attractions if you want to venture off course during your Martinique  sailing vacation.

Just south of Martinique (approximately 41 nm), you can moor at St.  Lucia. This trip only takes about five to six hours sailing at moderate  speed, which means you can make an overnight trip or stay a couple days  to see all this lush island has to offer. It is covered with dense  rainforest, waterfalls, and beaches bordering the crystal clear waters  of the Caribbean. The locals are very welcoming, and will show you  around St. Lucia’s most popular attractions as well as native favorites.  From horseback riding to all-you-can-eat Creole cuisine, St. Lucia is  the perfect getaway if your charter sailing boat in Martinique.

If you want to take the trip one step further, travel to St. Vincent  next yacht charter destination. Just eight hours (61nm) from St. Lucia,  St. Vincent is a beautiful Caribbean island with the seclusion and  natural beauty that other more inhabited islands can’t offer. While St.  Vincent still has bustling streets and vibrant community life, it also  provides vast expanses of wildlife preserves and volcanic terrain that  few people ever get to experience. St. Vincent was a prime location for  the filming of  Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,  and hundreds of locals were hired to as minor cast members.

Of course, there is plenty to do and see in Martinique, if you want  to spend more of your time on land rather than sailing around nearby  islands. For a historical overview of the country, visit the Habitation  Clement in La Francois. This historic distillery gives you an overview  of what colonial life was like in Martinique during early trade days.  For a more modern look at Martinique’s rum production, visit the Depaz  Distillery in St. Pierre. This distillery has been known for producing  some of the world’s best rum, dating back to 1651. They use pure blue  cane, and export all over the world.

Though Martinique has plenty of history and culture to soak in  during your yacht charter. From Martinique, you can easily sail to St.  Lucia or St. Vincent. These two islands were also once European  colonies, and share some of the same history and blended culture that  Martinique has to offer. They provide you with more flavors, sights, and  attractions if you want to venture off course during your Martinique  sailing vacation.

Just south of Martinique (approximately 41 nm), you can moor at St.  Lucia. This trip only takes about five to six hours sailing at moderate  speed, which means you can make an overnight trip or stay a couple days  to see all this lush island has to offer. It is covered with dense  rainforest, waterfalls, and beaches bordering the crystal clear waters  of the Caribbean. The locals are very welcoming, and will show you  around St. Lucia’s most popular attractions as well as native favorites.  From horseback riding to all-you-can-eat Creole cuisine, St. Lucia is  the perfect getaway if your charter sailing boat in Martinique.

If you want to take the trip one step further, travel to St. Vincent  next yacht charter destination. Just eight hours (61nm) from St. Lucia,  St. Vincent is a beautiful Caribbean island with the seclusion and  natural beauty that other more inhabited islands can’t offer. While St.  Vincent still has bustling streets and vibrant community life, it also  provides vast expanses of wildlife preserves and volcanic terrain that  few people ever get to experience. St. Vincent was a prime location for  the filming of  Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,  and hundreds of locals were hired to as minor cast members.

Of course, there is plenty to do and see in Martinique, if you want  to spend more of your time on land rather than sailing around nearby  islands. For a historical overview of the country, visit the Habitation  Clement in La Francois. This historic distillery gives you an overview  of what colonial life was like in Martinique during early trade days.  For a more modern look at Martinique’s rum production, visit the Depaz  Distillery in St. Pierre. This distillery has been known for producing  some of the world’s best rum, dating back to 1651. They use pure blue  cane, and export all over the world.

Martinique is the perfect place to plan your sailing vacation.  Warm winds and a dry winter make sailing conditions ideal for the  majority of the year. With a variety of professionally maintained  yachts, catamarans and sailing boats to choose, you can’t go wrong with a  Martinique yacht charter. 12 Knots offers crewed yacht charters as well  as bareboat rentals depending on your sailing experience.

The average temperature in Martinique stays around 20-30°C (68-86°F)  year round, with short rain showers in late spring and summer. March and  April are typically the driest months, as well as the most windy.  Northeastern trade winds arrive in the Caribbean between 20-25 knots in  the first half of the year (December to June). Martinique is located on  the edge of the Caribbean bordering the Atlantic Ocean, which means it  is exposed to the strongest trade winds. January through April provide  the best temperatures, light rain, and wind for sailing in Martinique.

On your yachting trip, you can choose to sail around the island, or  travel across the Caribbean to some of the nearby islands. Sailing  north, you’ll reach Dominica, and to the south St. Lucia island. St.  Lucia is home to Soufrière, a town surrounded by luscious rainforest.  This forested area contains several hiking trails where you can catch a  glimpse of waterfalls, hot springs and dormant volcanoes as they tower  over Rodney Bay.

You will start your charter at Le Marin, the main boar rentals hub in  Martinique. You can choose among a variety of sailing yacht and  catamaran charters depending on your desires and budget. Our sailing  yacht and catamarans include luxurious, spacious living quarters,  all-inclusive equipment and the option to have crew members on deck for  sailing assistance and navigation. We offer bareboat charters for  experienced sailors, but encourage you to bring as much gear, and even  hire a skipper if sailing in Grenadines is a new adventure for you.

Should you choose 12 Knots Yachting Club, you are guaranteed a  once-in-a-lifetime Caribbean experience unlike no other. We will offer  you vast variety of professionally maintained yachts, well equipped, and  hospitable staff to make your vacation as relaxed or daring as you  prefer. If you want to enjoy a private yachting experience but have  little sailing experience, sign up for our sailing school and learn  everything you need to know about the open waters. Your experience is up  to you; we are here simply to ensure it is the best possible.