Martinique - Security
Overall Crime and Safety
Petty street crimes, like purse snatching and some pick-pocketing, are the main crimes that befall tourists visiting Martinique.
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.
Petty Theft: The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you should take normal precautions. Avoid remote areas at night. Don’t take valuables to the beach. Make sure purses and backpacks are closed and not easy to grab. In 2022 CSSN reported an incident when a charter guest was robbed by a knife wielding assailant on the dinghy dock at Fort de France.
Maritime Issues:
Locked dinghy and outboard thefts continue to be a problem with a great many attempted thefts and successful thefts reported (see CSSN). Hot spots in Martinique include Saint Anne, St. Pierre, Fort de France and Le Marin. Be sure to lift and chain and lock your dinghy and outboard at night and invest in a robust chain and lock for when leaving your dinghy ashore at local dinghy docks.
During 2022 there were vandalism attacks on dinghies tied up at the dinghy dock in St. Anne with dinghies slashed, damaged and filled with garbage. See reported incidents. According to CSSN, the St. Anne anchorage/dinghy dock is the most active for the region, with four reports of vandalism at this dock in 2022 and thefts of dinghies in the nearby anchorage adding another five incidents.
Dinghies at the St Anne and St. Pierre docks continue to be targeted with a number of incidents reported to CSSN. You MUST lift and lock your dinghy. See Recent Reported Incidents below for the latest details.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net provide information by anchorage or by the island. Understand the details from the Zoom -Tap, Know & Go map. If you experience a boarding, robbery or attack on your yacht or have information about a yachting-related security incident, go to the CSSN homepage and click on the “Report an Incident” icon.
Recent Reported Incidents:
- 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.
Martinique Cruiser Net (in English) operates at 08:30 on Tuesday and Friday, VHF channel 08.
CROSS-AG
The Regional Operational Centre for Surveillance and Rescue Antilles-Guyana
Coordinates search and rescue operations at sea in a vast area in the Caribbean, including helicopter rescues.
E-mail: antilles@mrccfr.eu
Ph: 00 596 (0) 5.96.70.92.92 or 196 (if calling from Martinique)
Ph: 00 596 696 82 09 97 (WhatsApp)
VHF: 16
Last updated: November 2024
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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.