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About
Martinique:
Martinique
lies in the heart of the Caribbean Archipelago and is one of the many
islands which make up the group of lesser Antilles,
Windward Islands, or "Breezy Islands."
The waters lapping at its shores are those of the Atlantic Ocean to the
East, and the Caribbean Sea to the
West. The island is located 4,261 miles from
Paris (8 hours by plane). The closest two neighboring islands are Dominica
(15.5 miles to the north) and Saint Lucia (23 miles to the south).
Martinique is 1,965 miles from New York City, 1,470 miles from Miami,
2,270 miles from Montreal, and 425 miles from San Juan
in Puerto Rico.
Martinique is one of the showcases of the French Caribbean. The capital,
Fort de France, fully lives up to that description, celebrating every
aspect of the island’s all-encompassing French culture with style and
panache. What’s fashionable in Paris today is à la mode here very
swiftly. Shops sell the latest goods from France. Art galleries, theatres
and museums showcase French culture.
Charter Base:
Le Marin:
The waters around the Caribbean
islands have light blue tones
of azure, turquoise
and emerald colours.
The sea moves with a gentle swell
helped by the movements of the Atlantic Ocean as well
as North-eastern trade winds which push
the waves westward. Here you can find greatest number
of coral reefs and some of the best
natural harbours in the world.
Chartering
a yacht in the area then, becomes only a sensible solution for a
discerning visitor, so do not miss your chance to enjoy the world to the
full and LIVE FROM ABUNDANCE in this fabulous part of the world. Other
ports on the island are Pointe du Bout, Le François, Le Robert or
Sainte-Anne.
SCUBA DIVING
Fascinating dive sites, ideal water temperatures, abundant marine life,
and incredible shipwrecks make scuba an ideal island sport. Fine
facilities with licensed instructors at the Lychee Plongée at the Pointe
du Bout Marina (Tel.66.14.98), on the Planète Bleue boat (Tel.66.08.79),
and Espace Plongée opeates from Sofitel Bakoua (Tel.66.01.79)all in Pointe
du Bout. Around the cove, at Anse Mitan, Philippe Deniau's Balaou Club
(Tel.66.07.61). Tropicasub operates on the beach south of St. Pierre
(Tel.78.38.03). Scuba diving is also available at Ti Bleu at Anses d'Arlet
(Tel.68.64.78). In the south, there are scuba operations at Mondia Sub
SARL at Pointe la Chéry, Le Diamant (Tel.76.25.80). Sub Diamond Rock
(Tel.75.21.76) operates from Novotel Diamant and Bleu Marine
(Tel.76.46.00) from the Marine Hotel. Memorable dive spots include Ilet la
Perle and the shipwrecks off St.Pierre in the north. On the southwest
coast are Anses d'Arlets and Cap Salomon, while further south are Diamond
Rock and Ste. Anne.
SNORKELING
Fish, coral and ferns abound in the waters near Pointe du Bout and Anse
Mitan, and the small bays around Anses d'Arlets and Sainte-Anne offer
snorkeling of a truly superior variety. Some hotels have glass bottom
boats for snorkeling trips; most have fins and masks to rent.
DEEP-SEA FISHING
We can also help make arrangements for
your deep-sea fishing if given
some time advance notice. The most popular
catches in Martinique are tuna, barracuda, dolphin, kingfish and bonito. A
good contact for charters is Yves Pélisson in Le Diamant whose two boats
are Little Queeny and Maverick Too (Tel.76.24.20 / Fax.76.13.47). Marine
Hotel (Tel.76.46.00) also in Diamant, organizes sport fishing trips, as
does Caribtours (Tel.50.93.52). In Bellefontaine, Association Coup de
Senne (Tel.55.13.88) can arrange for visitors to fish in typical island
fashion with fishermen in Carbet. For surfcasting, best bets are Cap Macré,
Cap Ferré and Cap Chevalier.
GOLF
An 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course is located at Trois Ilets, one
mile from the Pointe du Bout resort area and 20 miles from Fort-de-France.
Called the Golf de l'Impératrice Joséphine, it has an English-speaking
pro, fully equipped pro shop, bar/restaurant, and three lighted tennis
courts. Special greens fees for hotel guests and cruise passengers. Tel:
(596) 68.32.8l.
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