Martinique - Security
Martinique Security for Yachts
Overall Crime and Safety
Based on reports to Noonsite from cruisers, petty theft is on the rise in the Caribbean in general. Cruisers should take basic safety precautions and use common sense when ashore. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, especially at night. Don’t carry large amounts of cash around or wear expensive jewelry.
The risks of petty theft, pickpocketing and assault increases during regattas and festivals. Do not leave drinks unattended.
Specific areas of concern:
Violent Protests: French overseas territories were hit by protests, more so in September/October 2024, due to complaints that living standards are well below those of mainland France. Curfews are becoming more common (9pm to 5am) and restrictions on travel, the sale of fuel etc. The latest curfews in Martinique were lifted on 05 November, 2024. Foreign visitors in Martinique should check with local authorities regarding the current security situation. See the Martinique Government Website.
General Maritime Issues
Dinghy thieves operate throughout the Caribbean. Be sure to lift, chain, and lock your dinghy and outboard when not in use, especially at night. When leaving your dinghy ashore, ensure that your dinghy and outboard are securely locked.
AirTags and other cell based/Bluetooth tracking devices are being used by cruisers to track their dinghys/outboards. Some thieves are aware of this practice and may detect, locate and disable them. Understand the limitations of using tracking devices. (See this May 24 Jost Van Dyke, BVI CSSN report.) The use of GPS trackers (rather than Bluetooth trackers) is recommended. See this Report by David Lyman.
Advice throughout the Caribbean is to remove items from the deck that may be tempting for thieves. When going ashore close all hatches, lock your boat, hide valuables out of sight and secure any loose items, including fuel/jerry cans and jugs. Keep the boat well-lit to deter boarders. It is also advisable to keep your cockpit/salon areas and hatches locked at night when sleeping onboard.
A new method of corruption appearing in Caribbean islands is for a “finders” fee to be demanded when a stolen dinghy is “found”. (See this Nov 23 Tyrell Bay, Carriacou CSSN report and this Apr 24 Clifton Harbour, SVG CSSN report.)
Specific areas of concern
Hot spots for dinghy theft in Martinique include Saint Anne, St. Pierre, Fort de France and Le Marin.
Due to tensions with the locals in St. Anne concerning cruising boats in the bay, there have been a number of vandalism attacks on dinghies tied up at the dinghy dock. These attacks generally happen in times of increased tensions and includes dinghies being slashed, damaged and filled with garbage. Listen to the cruiser net for current information and security concerns. See reported incidents.
Caribbean Safety and Security Net
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net’s (CSSN) primary mission is the collection and dissemination of accurate information relating to crimes against yachts in the Caribbean, enabling cruisers to make intelligent decisions about how and where they cruise.
The CSSN website includes all of the current and historic information on reported incidents. The CSSN website also provides incident infographics, regional piracy infographics and annual reports. You can also subscribe to email alerts sent directly to you for free.
Report Incidents to CSSN
If you experience a boarding, robbery or attack on your yacht or have information about a yachting-related security incident in the Caribbean, please take the time to report it on the CSSN Incident Reporting Form.
Incident Reports
Visit the Caribbean Safety and Security Network (CSSN) Martinique page to keep up to date with the latest incident reports.
2024 / 2023 Reports
- Locked Dinghy Stolen from Dinghy Dock at Anse a L’Ane (October 2024)
- Attempted theft of Dinghy at St. Pierre Dinghy Dock (April 2024)
- Locked dinghy stolen in St. Pierre (March 2023)
- Dinghy theft in St. Pierre and Grand Anse D’Arlet (January 2023).
- Fuel tank and lines from a dinghy at St. Anne (CSSN)
- Stern anchor with Chain Rode stolen from dinghy at St. Anne (CSSN)
See more at related security reports for Martinique.
General Emergency Numbers
Martinique Cruiser Net (in English) operates at 08:30 on Tuesday and Friday, VHF channel 08.
The MRCC monitors VHF Ch: 16 and can speak both French and English. https://www.facebook.com/MRCCFortdeFrance
For more detail see Emergencies in General Info.
Last updated: January 2025
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We orginal y wanted to stay a couple of weeks but now want to stay longer . How do we extend our stay ? Do we have to do another ” arrival ” form ?
Thanks
See https://www.noonsite.com/place/martinique/view/immigration/ for length of stay info.
We spent a large amount of time in Martinique. Although at times it was hard to find someone who spoke english, we still did okay by using Google Translate. We covered about 10 anchorages. so for the full details, see our blogs here.
Sainte Anne – so much to do here – https://bluedotvoyages.com/discovering-natural-beauty-sainte-anne-martinique/
Other anchorages – https://bluedotvoyages.com/martinique-seven-sailing-anchorages-from-saint-pierre-to-grand-anse/
Does anyone know where packages can be shipped to in Le Marin?
Cruisers can get parts/spares shipped to Marin Marina Office. You can find the address below. Any cruiser can use this service, it’s not just for marina clients. Be sure to pay the customs fee online or leave an envelope with cash on the marina reception desk so they can collect the parcel when it arrives.
When the parcel arrives, it is stored in a dedicated corner with the number attached to it. You are welcome to call/write email the marina [contact@marina-martinique.fr] to be sure the parcel has arrived before heading to pick it up.
The address for parcels :
Name Surname
Name of the boat
Contact phone no. (if you have one)
La Capitainerie du Marin
Bassin Tortue
97290 Le Marin
Martinique
Any recommendations of where to get parts shipped into?
See above.
Contact info for mooring balls Fort saint- Louis please
Hello, last we heard there were visitor moorings available in this bay in Fort de France, however we have no booking information. It’s simply a matter of turn up and see if there is one available. Alternatively anchor. More info. at https://www.noonsite.com/place/martinique/fort-de-france/view/docking/. Please do feed back info. via comments if you visit Fort de France.
What are the requirements for entering Martinique by sea as of April 21, 2022?
Hi Fred, thanks for your question. Full details are here – https://www.noonsite.com/place/martinique/formalities/#biosecurity-section. I’ve reviewed the Government website (best source for updates: https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/Les-transports/COVID-19-Deplacements-en-provenance-et-a-destination-de-la-Martinique-a-compter-du-1er-Avril-2022) and nothing has changed except on-island restrictions have eased this month. Basically it depends where you are coming from. If you are vaccinated, you are pretty clear to come in with no issues unless you are coming from a colour-coded country (there’s a link to the list in biosecurity). Then you need a pre-test. If you are not vaccinated it’s not so easy to get in. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Thanks Sue. We are working our way to St Kitts. Noonsite really helpful.
Good to hear Fred! Do keep the feedback coming – every little bit helps! Fair winds.
The. restrictions for travel into and between French Overseas Departments has now been lifted (Oct 14, 2021). If this article is accurate, all you need is proof of vaccination.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/compelling-reasons-for-travel-lifted-between-french-islands
There is a lockdown since 29/10 00:00
More information on:
http://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/COVID-19-nouvelles-mesures-attestations-recommandations-points-de-situation
There is a very good welding shop in the marina of Le Marin. The name is INOXALU and they are specialized in Biminis and arches. We were really very satisfied! You can contact them on +596 696 17 67 02
Please correct that : « Only EU Boats with EU citizens on board are authorized to anchor in Martinique. » and for other French islands. The official last décret text, own one article about passenger ship mentioning nationalities concern, the next one concerning pleasure ship mention only flag concern. Thanks to correct because is very anxiously for us, we are a French flag with French and Vénézuela citizen… we was afraid to be oblige to remain for couple of month, or years, who know, at sea on the international waters!
If you’re looking for someone to repair your fridge we highly recommend Pascal from Nautic Froid. Very professional, knows his stuff! Also reasonably priced. You can contact him on +596 696 22 71 13
If you need mechanical/engine help we can really recommend the Swedish guy Igor who lives on his boat Mistral in Marin. We had problems with our engine and Igor helped us to fix the problem. He definitely knew what he was doing and he solved the problem within a few hours. An extra plus for the reasonable cost and his excellent sense of humour. To get in contact with Igor call him on +4672-870 02 29.
Be careful sailing the east coast (especially northeast coast). We saw many strings of fishing buoys tied up with a floating line. It is nearly impossible to see these buoys from afar due to the swell. Steer clear of them!!!! We were offshore at least 3 nm.
Thanks for this info. He is exactly what we are looking for to fix our Yamaha outboard. Barbara Gladney, s/v Destiny
Be careful when approaching Anse Arlet and Grand Anse Arlet …. there are a very large number of fishing buoys out there. I only mention it for these bays in particular as the bouys are actually clear pop bottles and are virtually impossible to see in anything but very bright sunlight and small waves.
Le Marin:
If you are in Marin to have something fixed and need professional help, I warmly recommend Igor. He is Swedish, lives on his boat in Marin, and is able to fix anything, and does not change much. He is working so he can keep sailing, and he is very good at both. He fixed our outboard engine when the Honda workshop had given up, and we had too. Now it’s running like it never did before. Igor has been a mechanic for 15 years, has many stories to tell, and can be found on his boat “Mistral”, close to the Leader Price and of Marin.
While a decent enough mechanic Igor is untrustworthy. I sent him £500 for a ticket to antigua to help me skipper my boat. He said he arrived at the airport and they wouldn’t let his dog on the flight and then decided I owed him the money (I didn^t) and was therefore just going to keep the money. Do not trust this man, get job done and then pay.
Whilst crossing the channel between Martinique and Saint Lucia, a whale passed under my catamaran and struck the left hull, causing a tear below the water line. Talking with the harbour master, it is the third collision since December. Be careful.
Propane tank: Be aware that you cannot fill your propane/LPG tank in Martinique: You can only exchange it. We ended up buying a Campingaz tank (little blue tank, 3 kg) and regulator…
when arriving from the South Saint Anne’s bay is very convenient. Go ashore here and check in at Snack Bou Bou just beside the church. Be careful at the dinghy pontoon, your dinghy will disappear underneath so use a stern anchor or lift the front out to prevent it from sliding under. The Marina Le Marin located in Cul De Sac is good. Stern-to pontoon with buoys at the bow. Marina staff will help with this. Spacing is generally good. Frequent squalls and wind are typical in Martinique, but the surroundings are nice. Plenty of live-aboard yacht people who tend to work in and around the marine facilities.
The Carinage (haul out area) has just been renewed and has three cranes and brand new concrete base. Recommend this for renewing your antifoul or getting repairs done. Good selection of chandlers in the area, prices are reasonable compared to Grenadines. In fact, the whole island is a class above all islands south of here. Good supermarkets and restaurants.
Fort de France Dinghy Issue
We were (10th June 2015) anchored in Fort de France and made an arrangement with two other cruisers to meet ashore for a picnic. We were last to arrive and whilst approaching the dinghy dock saw three local youths aged about 18 untie our friend’s dinghy and kick it free. The wind was blowing offshore and we retrieved the dinghy on our way in. The three youths saw us tie the dinghy up and in a threatening manner told us to keep quiet. Please ensure your dinghys are locked to the dock and take care in this city.
Clearance at Petite Bateaux in Grand Anse is no longer available, however, clearance at Cyberbase (an internet cafe)in a container-like building on the waterfront at Les Anses D’Arlet is available.