CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsAnchorage· Martinique· Windward Islands
Baie des Flamands Anchorage (Fort-de-France, 48-hour limit)
14° 35.9′ N · 61° 4.1′ W
The city anchorage in the lee of Fort Saint-Louis, steps from La Savane, the Schœlcher library and the covered market: the place to anchor for shopping, chandlery runs and Carnival, though it is busy, windy and wake-swept.
Practical
New rule: since December 1, 2025, boats may anchor in the Baie des Flamands for a maximum of 48 hours, and on no more than eight days per vessel per month. When the 48 hours are up you must leave and may not return to the area for 24 hours (Noonsite, Dec 2025, citing the prefectoral order of September 19, 2025). Anchoring is prohibited off the southern tip of the Fort Saint-Louis peninsula and in the ferry lanes off the town. Holding: sandy mud, good (Noonsite 2018 comment; ActiveCaptain calls protection and holding excellent apart from ferry traffic), in about 15 ft (2024 review), but rolly from swell and ferry wakes, and crowded and windy for the space. Coral heads off the fort (ActiveCaptain hazard at 14.59683, -61.06542): use a spotter when taking the dinghy round to Baie des Tourelles. Dinghy: the main boardwalk dock is popular with swimming youngsters who use dinghies as diving platforms. Thefts and outboard thefts have been reported (2017, 2022), and Noonsite notes past muggings. Alternatives: the higher dock just west of the boardwalk used by local French cruisers, or the concrete wall about 50 m west of the swimming dock (three 2 m ladders; use a stern anchor against surge). Free city Wi-Fi (time-limited). Laundromat one block past Sea Services (ActiveCaptain). The Police Maritime may close the port for big events, as for the Transat Jacques Vabre arrival in November 2023. Port of entry.
Best for
A short city stop for provisioning, chandlery and sightseeing
Season
Year-round; rolly in swell; 48-hour limit since Dec 2025
Nearby
- Fort Saint-Louis0.1 NM away
- Fort-de-France Visitor Moorings0.2 NM away
- O'Pub (Fort-de-France Waterfront)0.2 NM away
- Pointe du Bout - Fort-de-France Ferry (Vedettes)0.2 NM away
- Bibliothèque Schœlcher0.3 NM away
- Cathédrale Saint-Louis (Fort-de-France)0.3 NM away
- Domb'ox (Fort-de-France)0.3 NM away
- Fort-de-France Carnival Parades0.3 NM away