Anse Mitan
W of Pointe du Bout, this is where Fort de France boat owners keep their boats for holidays and it’s pretty crowded, especially at weekends. Things are quieter than in the Baie des Flamands even if the water isn’t always crystal clear. Approach is simple using the building of the imposing former Méridien Hotel (now the Kalenda) initially, then the pillars of the former Bakoua pontoon (destroyed by hurricane Omar in 2008). But beware of the shoal 300m WSW of the abandoned pontoon, which has 1m of water over it and isn’t easy to see, though marked by an unlit buoy.
A bathing zone is marked by yellow buoys 200m off the beach. The anchorage, often rolly, can become very uncomfortable in the occasional W’ly swell. Ashore there are numerous restaurants as well as the facilities of the luxurious Kalenda. Bakoua pontoon has not been rebuilt since the last hurricane wrecked it.

Pointe du Bout Marina
The small marina (VHF 9) tucked into Pointe du Bout is accessed by a beaconed pass. Depths vary from 4 to less than 2m. Night entry is feasible if you give a good berth to Pointe du Bout coming from the W before lining up on the entry lights. Be wary of the narrowness of the channel especially if yours is a larger yacht and so is the one coming the other way. Inside manoeuvring room is equally tight.
AshoreDespite having few berths for visiting boats, you’re assured a warm welcome at the capitainerie (managed by SOMATRAS) on the main quay. formalities for clearing in and out are dealt with here. The berths at the quay are equipped with water and electricity. In addition to day-charterers and dive clubs, the marina and nearby ‘Crèole village’ have numerous services: supermarkets, a bank, a launderette, bars, restaurants and clothes shops. There is a slightly touristy feel and a Mediterranean air. Since many marine professionals have relocated to Marin, there are now very few specialist outfits here. A regular ferry service runs from here to Fort de France, giving fast and easy access to the town.

Anses d’Arlet
Grande Anse d’Arlet, with its clear water and fine white beach fringed with coconut palms, opens up after you pass Cape Solomon. It’s a pleasant anchorage, though crowded at weekends because it is so close to Fort de France. Anchor preferably either in the N or the S of the bay. The central area is reserved, in principle, for fishermen. It’s also deep in the middle. It’s also important to leave access free to the large ferry dock. Buoys, for use by visiting boats, have been introduced to protect the seabed. For now there is no known charge for use.
On the beach are lots of colourful fishing boats, some cottages and shops but above all several restaurants where day charters drop passengers to drink punch and eat langoustes. Round Pointe Bourgos to find Petite Anse d’Arlet.
Note Be wary of the area of reef N of the dock. You can use the dock more or less in line with the church tower as a leading mark. Anchor S of the dock to go and visit the picturesque village with its nicely laid out sea front. In SE’lies this anchorage is very rolly, when the better sheltered Anse Chaudière is to be preferred.
Ashore Grocery stores and small restaurants with a local flavour. Formalities can be dealt with by computer at one of the restaurants along the dock. Water and WiFi are also available.

Other moorings of leeward coast:

II. South coast

Between Diamond Pt and Sainte Anne
To reach Sainte Anne or Cabrits Islet, you’ll be hard on the wind battling a strong current, often of up to 2 knots. Boats with poor windward performance will take longer to make this passage than to reach St Lucia 20M S of Martinique!

Cul-de-Sac du Marin
The approach to the Cul-de-Sac is aided by the conspicuous Morne de la Pointe Borgnesse which is topped by a pylon. Temporary anchorage can be found leeward of Pointe Borgnesse but only when SSE’ly winds aren’t making the sea too choppy. Keep away from the shallows.
To enter the Marin pass, make sure you identify the first green buoy to port, which should keep you clear of the shoal ground (2–7m) off the Pointe Borgnesse. From there line up on Pointe du Marin (sector light) on 073°. If you’re not experienced, a night entry is tricky even though the buoys are lit. Most notably, the light on Pointe du Marin can get lost in the bright lights of the Club Med. Take your entry carefully and watch your course.

Caution Numerous lobster pots around the channel entrance are a major trap for propellers, especially at night.
In the same way, if you’re coming from S and your boat draws much water, your main concern will be to avoid the Banc de la Crique (marked by a red buoy) where I’ve found a shoal with less than 2m over it.
To starboard a second red buoy marks the end of the Banc des Trois Cayes. Then to port a green buoy marks the S tip of the Banc du Singe. After leaving the Pointe du Marin and the Club Med buildings to starboard, head for the inner harbour of the Cul-de-Sac on 050° for about 0·8M. Next, leave a red buoy to starboard (Pointe Cailloux Shoal) when you’ll see to port a green buoy marking the SE end of the Banc Major. Once past it head N leaving to starboard the red buoy off Banc du Milieu. Be careful to give the last a good berth, it extends further N than charted.

Le Marin
From Banc du Milieu there are two possible routes:
•one to the ENE headed for Port du Marin
• the other to the N headed for the Carenantilles Boatyard
The latter is approached by an unlit, buoyed channel dredged to 3m. Haul out facilities and the presence of numerous professional services make this an exceptionally well-equipped boating centre. To reach the Le Marin yacht haven from the Banc du Milieu follow the channel marked more or less by a row of red buoys, which you leave to starboard. To port the Banc de la Douane is marked by two green beacons. S of this route is a huge area full of buoy moorings. The yacht haven’s large quays have been extended and now provide 800 berths (VHF 16/9).
Many of them are taken by charter company fleets, based in this excellent shelter for some years now. Although very recently (though all is relative) the Cul-de- Sac was a wild and lonely spot used only by local fishermen, now first class management has created what has become the biggest yachting centre in the S Antilles.

AshoreThe new capitainerie is part of a pontoons. There’s a computer for formalities and lots of information on Marin, its technical services and the tourist sites throughout the island. The ground floor of the complex houses workshops, rental firms, and many other businesses. Many more shops, restaurants and offices are still to be found to the W, along the sea front.

Other moorings of the South Coast and Windward coast: