Martinique: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
28 harbours
Martinique: 28 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
EU memberEU customs unionCurrency: Euro
Clearing in: French overseas department: EU and EU customs territory, but not Schengen and not in the EU VAT area (octroi de mer). Anyone arriving from a foreign port, foreign waters or the high seas has, since 1 September 2024, submitted the clearance declaration online (déclaration clearance Antilles on demarche.numerique.gouv.fr), and likewise when leaving for abroad or the high seas; without internet at a Point agréé Clearance (Anses d'Arlet, Fort-de-France, Le François, Le Marin, Sainte-Anne, Saint-Pierre, Trois-Îlets, Trinité). Required: vessel with MMSI, owner, crew list with passport numbers, goods, last and next port and the dates. Keep the certificate and carry a printout. The border police (PAF) are responsible for crew from third countries.
Ausreise: When leaving for abroad or the high seas, submit the clearance declaration; carry a printout of the certificate, some neighbouring states want a stamp.
Documents: EU citizens need no visa and face no formality, the identity card is enough; anyone travelling on to other islands or via Sint Maarten needs a passport (valid for six months). Crew from third countries: a Schengen visa is not valid, depending on nationality a separate visa for the overseas territories. Boat papers, insurance, certificate of competence and radio licence; pets with an EU pet passport.
Fees: The online clearance is free; at a clearance point it costs about 5 euros according to sailors. Marinas and mooring fields (ZMEL, for example in the Baie du Marin) charge fees.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. In the Anses d'Arlet (Baie du Bourg and Grande Anse) anchoring is prohibited and, since 26 December 2025, so is mooring to the buoys: currently no overnight stop there.
Nature: Anchoring on seagrass and coral is prohibited, in many protected zones only moorings.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October. Sailors regard Le Marin with its boatyard and large travel lift as a shelter. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 196 (maritime emergency from land, free) or 112; CROSS Antilles-Guyane (MRCC Fort-de-France) +596 596 70 92 92, VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Sources: Préfecture de la Martinique: nouvelles formalités de clearance, Préfecture de la Martinique: points agréés clearance (15.12.2025), Douane: guide clearance 2024, Démarches simplifiées: déclaration clearance Antilles, Espace Sud: fermeture de la zone de mouillage des Anses d'Arlet, Ministère de l'Intérieur: visas pour l'outre-mer, Auswärtiges Amt: France (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Martinique: east coast (Le Vauclin, Le François, Le Robert, La Trinité)
Martinique: south (Le Marin, Sainte-Anne, Sainte-Luce)
Martinique: west coast (Fort-de-France, Trois-Îlets, Saint-Pierre)
Frequently asked questions
Martinique: Do I need to clear in?
French overseas department: EU and EU customs territory, but not Schengen and not in the EU VAT area (octroi de mer). Anyone arriving from a foreign port, foreign waters or the high seas has, since 1 September 2024, submitted the clearance declaration online (déclaration clearance Antilles on demarche.numerique.gouv.fr), and likewise when leaving for abroad or the high seas; without internet at a Point agréé Clearance (Anses d'Arlet, Fort-de-France, Le François, Le Marin, Sainte-Anne, Saint-Pierre, Trois-Îlets, Trinité). Required: vessel with MMSI, owner, crew list with passport numbers, goods, last and next port and the dates. Keep the certificate and carry a printout. The border police (PAF) are responsible for crew from third countries.
Martinique: Which documents do I need on board?
EU citizens need no visa and face no formality, the identity card is enough; anyone travelling on to other islands or via Sint Maarten needs a passport (valid for six months). Crew from third countries: a Schengen visa is not valid, depending on nationality a separate visa for the overseas territories. Boat papers, insurance, certificate of competence and radio licence; pets with an EU pet passport.
Martinique: What fees apply?
The online clearance is free; at a clearance point it costs about 5 euros according to sailors. Marinas and mooring fields (ZMEL, for example in the Baie du Marin) charge fees.
Martinique: What is the emergency number at sea?
196 (maritime emergency from land, free) or 112; CROSS Antilles-Guyane (MRCC Fort-de-France) +596 596 70 92 92, VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Martinique: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 28 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.