[Dany]

Hello,

I’m wondering if it’s possible to sail around Martinique in a little over a week in January.

I know the west coast well, but I’ve never had the chance to sail along the windward coast.

Is navigating inside the barrier reef too complicated? I’ve seen that there are a lot of nets and traps…

As for anchorages, are they quite rolly with the trade winds? Are there well-sheltered and safe spots accessible by sailboat?

Thanks a lot for your feedback!

[Sylvain]

I’ve never done it, despite spending long periods in Martinique. But it’s a recurring fantasy for sailors on a short stay on the island.

In January, the trade winds are usually quite strong, mostly from the ENE.

Whichever direction you choose, the windward coast will be a challenge—whether passing from the north or the south.

From the north, there’s no real shelter before the Caravelle Peninsula, about 40 miles from Saint-Pierre (I wouldn’t recommend anchoring at Le Prêcheur in winter).

From the south, you’d need to reach Le Vauclin, which has a marked channel, but the ride is likely to be rough. It’s about 20 miles from the anchorage at Anse Caritan. After that, you stay inside the cays, but they’re not a continuous barrier, so expect a lot of motoring against strong headwinds.

The few people I know who’ve done it went in summer, when the trade winds weaken, and the sea is calmer. Even the Tour de Martinique des Yoles takes place in July, not in January!

But maybe others will have different opinions…

[Matt]

A little over a week is way too short to sail around Martinique… even just for the southern part.

Between the south and the Caravelle Peninsula, there’s plenty to enjoy. A catamaran would be better for this.

Anse Trabaud, Cap Chevalier, Macré, Anse Cochon, Le François with its bay and shallow white sandbanks—lots of spots, some more protected than others. Sometimes it’s dead calm, like Anse Cochon, which is tucked into the mangroves and even serves as a hurricane hole.

But there are tons of fish traps, marked with strings of plastic bottles—it’s tricky to navigate through them.

As mentioned, January can bring some swell, so it’s not the best time… You need to enter the passes between 10 a.m. and noon, more or less, to have the sun behind or directly overhead. Otherwise, you won’t see a thing—coral heads disappear in the glare of the sun and water reflections.

Some places are risky. I ran aground once when a local on board, supposed to guide us, got the wrong bay. He’d been partying the night before, and we arrived too late in the afternoon. Luckily, it was just sand, and we managed to kedge off by setting an anchor to windward. Could’ve been much worse if we’d hit coral!

There’s a great book by Jérôme Nouel on anchorages in Martinique—the only one, I think, that covers the east coast.

The Caravelle Peninsula is easy to access and is now a nature reserve, if I’m not mistaken.

Bottom line: this isn’t for the faint-hearted. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not used to this kind of sailing, and as Flora said, it’s not the best season.

Following Ed’s advice is wise—anchor at Caravelle. It’s safe, and everyone will love the beauty of the place.

I also agree about the northern passage—it’s a rough ride. Montagne Pelée accelerates the wind, and the channel swell is serious. Better to approach from the east.

[Author]

Posts