Boat hire in Martinique

Boat rental in Martinique

Martinique, as part of the Windward islands, is one of the most captivating areas of the French Caribbean, offering stunning and secluded beaches with idyllic sailing conditions. With a wide inventory of boats at a range of prices, you can explore this exotic region of the Antilles either with a crewed boat, luxury yacht or a smaller solo vessel. The area is ripe in marine life and spectacular sights, with perfect conditions for both swimming and diving. With custom itineraries to suit your interests, you can book a boat in the Caribbean here.

Explore the Caribbean via boat

Martinique is a melting pot of French and Caribbean culture, with port cities offering a very French take on island life. Aside from the region’s charming coastal cafés and bistros which ooze sophistication, you can island-hop the surrounding region for some of the best local seafood served on seaside terraces surrounded by lush greenery. Although it is possible to explore the island within days, stay longer and explore nearby Petit Nevis, Tobago Cays and Mustique for a boat rental holiday to remember.

How much do boat rentals in Martinique cost?

The price of boat charter in Martinique varies greatly depending on the type of boat you want to rent and this picturesque Caribbean island has six different types of boat up for grabs.
To rent a boat without a licence in Martinique, you can expect to pay from around £2833 per week.
Catamaran rental in Martinique is generally a little cheaper, with prices starting at £97 for a day charter and £681 for a week charter.
RIB hire typically costs from £443 for half a day, £616 for a full day and £4310 if you want to rent for a week.
Motorboat rental prices start at £234 for a half-day charter, £283 to rent for the day and £1478 for the week.
Sailing boats usually cost anywhere from £58 per day and £404 per week.
To rent a trimaran in Martinique, you can expect prices to start at around £3941 for the week.

Is bareboat charter in Martinique possible?

Yes!  In Martinique it is actually possible to rent all of the boat types we offer both with and without a skipper.  It is also not necessary for you to have a boating license for any boats except for motorboats with an engine of over 6 horsepower and some yachts.  Whether or not you want to rent with a skipper will depend greatly on your level of experience.
If you are new to the world of sailing, you should consider renting with a skipper who can help you learn the ropes.  Chartering a boat with a skipper is also recommended for people who wish to relax on a boat without worrying about actually sailing the vessel.
If you’re a bit more adventurous, maybe a Martinique bareboat rental is for you as it will leave you free to explore the parts of the island you really want to.

What are the weather and sailing conditions like in Martinique?

You’ll find the best sailing and cruising conditions in the deep waters of the Inner Channel and Victoria Channel.  Throughout the year, trade winds blow from a north-easterly direction at a speed of between 15 and 20 knots (17-23 mph).  During the winter, the winds are usually stronger and can sometimes reach speeds of up to 30 knots (34 mph) for multiple consecutive days.  Throughout February, the winds move east and by June they move to the southeast and decrease to a speed of 10-15 knots ( 11-17 mph).  During September and October, the winds are typically at their calmest but don’t worry if you were planning on going sailing during this time period as the winds are generally good for sailing throughout the entire year.
The tidal range in this area stays at about 18 inches (45 cm) and the waves are fairly tame, rarely exceeding 3-5 feet (between 1 and 1.5 metres).  You will find anchorages all along the coast.
Martinique has both a wet season, which runs from July until January, and a dry season, which runs from February until June.  During the dry season, the sun will shine for weeks on end with only occasional showers.  Although the wet season is also typically very sunny, the showers are more frequent and there will sometimes be days where it rains non-stop.  The temperature in Martinique rarely dips below 25°C (78°F) and seldom rises above 30°C (84°F).

When is the best time for my Martinique sailing charter?

The best time to go sailing in Martinique has a lot to do with your experience.  Typically, Martinique has good winds for sailing all year round but the perfect time to go sailing is when the northeast trade winds are blowing at a speed of 15-20 knots (17-23 mph).  By June the winds calm down to a speed of 10-15 knots (11-17 mph) and in September and October, the winds are very calm which isn’t always ideal for sailing.
The wind speeds aren’t the only thing to consider though.  The dry season in Martinique runs from January until April.  In spite of slightly colder temperatures, this is generally considered the best time to go sailing, due to the lower rainfall levels.  In general, it’s best to avoid September, which is usually the wettest month.  September is also the month in which, historically, hurricanes are most likely to happen, although the official hurricane season in Martinique falls between June and November.
The sea temperature is generally pleasant all year round with an average temperature of 26-28°C (79-82.5°F).
In general, it’s recommended that less experienced sailors should sail on the Caribbean side of Martinique, rather than the side with the Atlantic Ocean as it’s quieter there.  You do have to watch out for the coral reefs on this side, however.

Most popular ports and sailing destinations for my Martinique boat charter?

Martinique is a fantastic place to go sailing, on account of the fact that the prime boating locations for your nautical adventure are plentiful.  Martinique is loved principally for its beautiful beaches and the towns located next door such as Grand Anse d’Arlet, Anse du Ceron, Sainte-Anne, and Marina Pointe du Bout.
Grand Anse d’Arlet offers many activities for travellers of all ages, being an ideal location for swimming, among other water sports, and is even home to a local art gallery.  Anse du Ceron, on the other hand, is all about the water sports.  From swimming to snorkelling and, even at certain times of the year, surfing, you’re bound to find something to suit your interests.  The more daring people among you may even fancy sailing out to Pearl Island, one of the best diving sites on Martinique.
Pointe du Bout is actually a man-made beach which is often described as the perfect picnic spot and is just a mile and a half away (2.5 km) from the charming town of Trois Ilets, the ideal destination to satisfy all your night life cravings.  From live music, to dancing, and even a casino, when the sun sets, this is the place to be.  If Pointe du Bout is too busy, you can drop your anchor at Anse Noire for the night, which is also just a short walk away.
Sainte-Anne is another popular swimming and snorkelling location, with a number of reefs lining the shore, which are simply teeming with life.  Venture inland from this point to see a town which looks as though it came from another world, with painted wooden houses and shops which sell a variety of gifts for you to bring back for your friends and family.
Another two places you should definitely make an effort to visit are Fort de France and Saint Pierre.  Fort de France is not only the capital of Martinique, but also the largest city in the French Antilles and the perfect place to learn a little more about the culture of this spectacular island.  Saint Pierre is home to the volcano site of the former ‘Paris of the Caribbean’, which you can learn all about in the museum.  You can also go on the guided train tour which explains what the area was like before the volcanic eruption.

What to do during my boat rental in Martinique?

The island is obviously full of prime diving and snorkelling locations, as well as opportunities for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and even golfing.  If you do go snorkelling, you can expect to see such wildlife as dolphins, whales, sea turtles and a range of tropical fish.  If you fancy seeing more of the Caribbean during your sailing charter, you can also sail between the idyllic bays of the Lesser Antilles. 
If dancing is more your thing, you can hit the dance floor at Pointe du Bout, or spend a night in the casino.  Martinique is also the perfect place to work on your tan.  Alternatively, if you like learning more about the culture of the places you visit, maybe you want to hit up the local art gallery in Grand Anse d’Arlet or check out one of the museums.  For the animal lovers among you, there is even a zoo near Saint Pierre.  One thing is for certain though, you definitely won’t be bored!

How to get to Martinique?

The easiest way to get to Martinique is by flying to Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport. Currently there are direct flights from many countries including the USA, Canada, Belgium, France, and other Caribbean Islands like Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Dominica.  If you don’t live in a country where you can fly directly, you can either get a connecting flight, or fly to one of the other nearby Caribbean islands and sail in from there.