Grande Anse d'Arlet Anchorage and Moorings

14° 30.2′ N · 61° 5.2′ W

A west-facing bay of blond sand between Cap Salomon and Pointe Lézarde, ringed by beach restaurants and a fishing village, with green turtles grazing the seagrass under the boats. It is the most popular cruiser stop on Martinique's southwest coast and has fiery sunsets.

The Grenadines Grenada St Lucia & Martinique

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Organised moorings (Noonsite, last updated March 2022): new moorings were laid in February 2020 and boats under 25 tonnes must use them. Anchoring is not permitted except for yachts over 25 tonnes, which may anchor at the outer end of the northern field in about 10 m, clear of the seagrass. The north side has 52 visitor moorings: the two inner and northern rows are for boats up to 8 m, the outer five for up to 20 m, the rest for up to 15 m. The south side has 45 more, up to 15 m, except the inner three rows (8 m). No anchoring within 300 m of the beach or in line with the moorings, and Noonsite says the Coast Guard patrols. Moorings had no pick-up lines. ActiveCaptain (2022) gives the fee as about €11/night, paid ashore, collected by a runabout (verify locally). Reality check: a March 2023 ActiveCaptain update found few free moorings (many rented monthly by local boats) and the whole north side full of anchored boats, and a February 2024 review saw most boats anchored and no obvious mooring system, so expect to find either and follow the current rules. Holding over seagrass is poor (Noonsite). Free alternative: anchor in Anse Chaudière just south and dinghy round. Dinghy: the town pier is high, so rig a stern line so the dinghy does not slide under it. You may not leave dinghies on the beach by the hotel at the north end, which plays loud music until about 1 am. Approach: many fishing buoys made of clear plastic bottles, almost invisible except in bright sun (Noonsite, 2018). Keep out of the no-anchor area in front of the dock.

Grande Anse d'Arlet Anchorage and Moorings

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