Martinique Le Marin
Martinique is the Center of the Caribbean
I have always enjoyed the island of Martinique and especially the harbor of Le Marin. Finding a better place anywhere in the world is difficult. Le Marin is a perfect place for refit or repair of Amels.
• Amel-owned service and repair facility
• La Marina du Marin, an excellent marina
• Caraibe Marine Group of Companies – best in N America & Caribbean
• Carenantilles – the best haulout facility in the Caribbean
• Caribbean Yacht Sales, who sell more preowned Amels than almost anyone
From very experienced and respected SM owners Bill Kinney & Karen Smith: "The Martinique labor rate is very reasonable, about 65 € an hour...The expertise available in Martinique is so far above and beyond it’s not even close to anywhere else. We arrived with a pretty long list of parts we were looking for. Everyone was either available from Amel Caraibes, or Alban could send us to a local supplier who had them. Do you need a new helm station switch for your anchor windlass or bow thruster? They have those. Need a new seal for your companionway slide? They have that. And all within walking distance."
Martinique has the best rum distillers in the Americas. The island is beautiful, from its shores to its rainforests. It is simply hard to find a better place.
TRAVEL:
Martinique is easily accessible by air:
* Paris / Up to 10 Flights per Day
* Montreal/ Direct Flights
* Miami - New York / AA - Air France - Jet Blue
When checking flights, be sure to check flights to St. Martin, then a connection to Martinique via Air Caraibes or Air Antilles Express. Both have daily flights. The ferries to/from St. Lucia are not good options because from the airport to the ferry is $100 and a 2.5-hour taxi.
Hurricane Risks:
Preferred Vendors of Products and Services:
I negotiated discounts for my clients from select suppliers in Martinique that I have personally used. The following are Martinique Preferred Vendors. Click on each for more information. All of the vendors offer you discounts, except Amel.
Caraibe Marine offers Amel Yacht owners a large, experienced single-ownership company divided into smaller specialized shops run by highly skilled managers responsible for each shop. Each shop is staffed with knowledgeable technicians and equipped with the necessary tools, equipment, and parts. They all have the necessary experience, and they all love boating. Caraibe Marine is the vision of its owner, Philippe LECONTE. Philippe owns this great resource to an Amel owner, but any day, you will find him in one of the shops working for you. He is very close to his managers and their customers. Caraibe Marine and its shops are located in La Marina du Marin Martinique. More...
La Marina du Marin, located at the south end of Martinique in the cul-de-sac du Marin, is one of the largest nautical bases in the Caribbean. The marina is recommended by Bill Rouse and his Yacht School Clients as the best marina in the Eastern Caribbean. The marina has 830 berths and 100 moorings. It is in the same bay as the highly recommended haulout Yard, Carenantilles Martinique (below). The marina has special monthly pricing if reserved in advance of your arrival. Be sure to reserve in advance and ask for special pricing. The marina also has an "Amel Pontoon." It is Pontoon 4. Reserve this in advance because it fills up fast. More...
Amel Martinique - Be sure to meet Alban LEROY, manager of Amel Martinique. More...
This yard is better than any on the East Coast of the US. Contact Jocelyne FRANCIETTE <j.franciette@carenantilles.com> or by mobile phone at +596 696 37 67 14 and identify yourself as a Yacht School Client using your Boat name and hull#. More...
Inboard Diesel Service (https://inboarddiesel.com/) This company and its mechanics, Ludovic or Cedric, have been highly recommended by Amel owners. Contact: info@inboarddiesel.com +596 596 78 71 96
DigiNav - Jacques Fauquet, owner of DigiNav in Martinique, is a navigation electronics expert. He can do virtually anything, and his advice is priceless. I know that he has done board-level repairs. More...
Caribbean Yacht Sales
Stop by and visit their office inside the marina facilities. They are located very close to Amel's office. Say hello to Stéphanie Dupland. Stéphanie is a sailing and cruising professional. She joined Caribbean Yachts sales after sailing from Martinique to Tahiti alone with her daughter on a 35' monohull. Stéphanie will happily give you the best advice on anything on the island. Also, Stéphanie is an AMEL specialist. +596 (0)596 74 16 70, +596 (0)696 23 43 28
Stop by and visit their office inside the marina facilities. They are located very close to Amel's office. Say hello to Stéphanie Dupland. Stéphanie is a sailing and cruising professional. She joined Caribbean Yachts sales after sailing from Martinique to Tahiti alone with her daughter on a 35' monohull. Stéphanie will happily give you the best advice on anything on the island. Also, Stéphanie is an AMEL specialist. +596 (0)596 74 16 70, +596 (0)696 23 43 28
stephanie.dupland@caribbean-yachts.com
Recommended Amel Surveyor
Pierre CORRIVEAUD, Marine Surveyor
SAFETY FIRST
LE MARIN
MARTINIQUE & Caribbean
+(596) 696 21 32 15
p.corriveaud@gmail.com
Recommended Customs Agent
Douglas Rapier
Mob.: +596 696 45 89 75
O: +596 (0) 5 96 52 14 28
Restaurants, Bars, & Groceries:
There is a good assortment of all of these inside, adjacent to, and a short distance away. You might be interested in grocery delivery delivered to your boat. Paradise Foods takes care of all your provisioning needs. Whether you’re embarking on a sailing adventure or staying in one of Martinique’s picturesque bays, we’re here to ensure you have everything you need delivered right to your boat. It requires downloading an app, ordering, and paying through the app. More...
Where to stay near the marina:
VRB Apartment: A few minutes from the Marina. This small 30m² (432 sq feet) apartment is fully equipped, functional, and air-conditioned; The linen is provided. It can accommodate 2 people. It is close to all amenities: bakery, supermarket, shops, restaurants, beach, and marina. It is directly across the road from Amel's office in the marina.
La "Résidence des Iles"
I have stayed here 3 times. These are apartments a short walk up a hill near the marina of LE MARIN in MARTINIQUE.
Their apartments are not for rent on booking websites. Please contact them directly for availability and the best prices. Minimum stay of 3 nights. La Résidence des Iles Martinique - Quartier Mondésir - 97290 - LE MARIN FWI MARTINIQUE
Phone: +596 (0) 596 74 02 34
Google Maps:
Places to visit:
L’Habitation Clément Rum Distillery with wonderful tours. The marina office will give you more information: http://habitation.fondation-clement.org/
Martinique Rainforest & Waterfalls: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/martinique-rainforest-beach-waterfalls-guided-hike/
St. Pierre should be visited by sea or land. If by sea, arrive early as you will likely have to try more than one place to anchor, as holding is not good. The information about the eruption of the volcano and the sunk ships in the bay is worth a visit. https://www.saintpierreenpoch.fr/
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
VHF: 16
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Firefighters: VHF 18
SAMU (Ambulance): VHF 15
Local authorities at Le Marin (Police): +596 (0) 596 741 844
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
Hospital (Le Marin): +596 (0) 596 749 205
Dialysis Center: +596 (0) 596 741 655
OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS
Customs: +596 (0) 596 749 164
Nautical gendarmerie brigade: +596 (0) 596 741 859
Borders & Air Police (PAF): +596 (0) 596 528 970