Martinique - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the links to the official government websites to confirm details and any changes. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
October 2022
- Since 1 August, 2022, all Covid-related entry restrictions have been lifted.
- Travelers no longer need to undertake pre-departure testing or testing on arrival, complete a health pass, provide a compelling reason to travel or present a sworn statement.
- Travel between Martinique and Guadeloupe is subject to compelling reasons for non-vaccinated people. A fixed fine of €135 will be applied in the event of non-compliance with the measures in force.
- See https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/outre-mer for updates.
Notes:
- For onward travel, a PCR test in Martinique costs 50€.
Contacts:
CROSS -AG
antilles@mrccfr.eu
00 596 (0) 5.96.70.92.92 or 196 (if calling from Martinique)
00 596 696 82 09 97 (WhatsApp)
VHF: 16
Public Information Unit
0 800 130 000
pref-covid19@martinique.pref.gouv.fr
Resources:
- https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/
- List of country classifications: https://www.gouvernement.fr/infocoronavirus/deplacement
- https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel
- https://www.marina-martinique.fr/en/marina/covid-19/
- French Antilles Cruiser Information (Facebook Group)
- Ship Entrance Application
Reports:
History:
- All French islands went into lockdown mode on March 18th, 2020. Checking in or out became problematic as most clearance stations were closed due to the lockdown.
- From March 23rd, non-EU flagged vessels were not permitted to enter the country.
- Mid-April new regulations were announced, still only permitting EU vessels to enter, with prior approval from Cross-AG. Non-EU vessels were able to make an application to enter for valid reasons (coming to Martinique from abroad to take your boat to safety for hurricane season was seen as a valid reason to gain entry).
- Lockdown measures included no recreational sailing, no access to beaches, no swimming or fishing next to your boat.
- From 11 May a gradual re-opening of lockdown measures began, however, restrictions on only EU vessels being allowed to enter continued.
- Come the Autumn, restrictions began on movement between the other French Islands as cases increased.
- All of November the French Islands went into lockdown once more.
- At the start of 2021 restrictions continued in that only EU yachts were permitted to enter and land. Non-EU yachts could only stopover without going ashore.
- As restrictions eased, crew not arriving with a negative test result had to go to the sanitary control post located in the port of Marin (+596 596 748 383 or contact@marina-martinique.fr ) in view of carrying out such an examination on arrival. All crew had to remain on board the vessel which may be placed temporarily at anchor in cyclone hole No. 2 [shown in the appendix of the Presidential Decree] for a period which may not exceed 7 days from the date of arrival of the vessel.
- From Saturday 3 April, Macron announced a new lockdown for all France including the outre-mer, to last at least two weeks. Entry by sea is forbidden, apart from a few exceptions with compelling reasons for coming.
- June 9th restrictions eased and yachts were permitted to arrive from a restricted list of countries.
- Martinique went into lockdown late July 2021 due to rising Covid cases – until 30 September. You could not travel more than 1km from your boat/home. Sailing, snorkelling, water activities and visiting beaches was forbidden. Tourists were asked to leave.
- February 2022, entry restrictions eased as per mainland France.
- April 1st the curfew was abolished. From April 9th wearing a mask was no longer mandatory (except on public transport and in health establishments), but recommended in enclosed spaces. The sanitary pass was suspended.
- 1 August, 2022, all restrictions were lifted.
Our thanks to Richard Bayle (OCC Port Officer) for assisting with accurate information throughout the pandemic.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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Contact info for mooring balls Fort saint- Louis please
Hello, last we heard there were visitor moorings available in this bay in Fort de France, however we have no booking information. It’s simply a matter of turn up and see if there is one available. Alternatively anchor. More info. at https://noonsite.wccstaging.com/place/martinique/fort-de-france/view/docking/. Please do feed back info. via comments if you visit Fort de France.
What are the requirements for entering Martinique by sea as of April 21, 2022?
Hi Fred, thanks for your question. Full details are here – https://noonsite.wccstaging.com/place/martinique/formalities/#biosecurity-section. I’ve reviewed the Government website (best source for updates: https://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/Les-transports/COVID-19-Deplacements-en-provenance-et-a-destination-de-la-Martinique-a-compter-du-1er-Avril-2022) and nothing has changed except on-island restrictions have eased this month. Basically it depends where you are coming from. If you are vaccinated, you are pretty clear to come in with no issues unless you are coming from a colour-coded country (there’s a link to the list in biosecurity). Then you need a pre-test. If you are not vaccinated it’s not so easy to get in. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Thanks Sue. We are working our way to St Kitts. Noonsite really helpful.
Good to hear Fred! Do keep the feedback coming – every little bit helps! Fair winds.
The. restrictions for travel into and between French Overseas Departments has now been lifted (Oct 14, 2021). If this article is accurate, all you need is proof of vaccination.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/compelling-reasons-for-travel-lifted-between-french-islands
There is a lockdown since 29/10 00:00
More information on:
http://www.martinique.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Environnement-sante-publique/Sante/Informations-COVID-19/COVID-19-nouvelles-mesures-attestations-recommandations-points-de-situation
There is a very good welding shop in the marina of Le Marin. The name is INOXALU and they are specialized in Biminis and arches. We were really very satisfied! You can contact them on +596 696 17 67 02
Please correct that : « Only EU Boats with EU citizens on board are authorized to anchor in Martinique. » and for other French islands. The official last décret text, own one article about passenger ship mentioning nationalities concern, the next one concerning pleasure ship mention only flag concern. Thanks to correct because is very anxiously for us, we are a French flag with French and Vénézuela citizen… we was afraid to be oblige to remain for couple of month, or years, who know, at sea on the international waters!
If you’re looking for someone to repair your fridge we highly recommend Pascal from Nautic Froid. Very professional, knows his stuff! Also reasonably priced. You can contact him on +596 696 22 71 13
If you need mechanical/engine help we can really recommend the Swedish guy Igor who lives on his boat Mistral in Marin. We had problems with our engine and Igor helped us to fix the problem. He definitely knew what he was doing and he solved the problem within a few hours. An extra plus for the reasonable cost and his excellent sense of humour. To get in contact with Igor call him on +4672-870 02 29.
Be careful sailing the east coast (especially northeast coast). We saw many strings of fishing buoys tied up with a floating line. It is nearly impossible to see these buoys from afar due to the swell. Steer clear of them!!!! We were offshore at least 3 nm.
Thanks for this info. He is exactly what we are looking for to fix our Yamaha outboard. Barbara Gladney, s/v Destiny
Be careful when approaching Anse Arlet and Grand Anse Arlet …. there are a very large number of fishing buoys out there. I only mention it for these bays in particular as the bouys are actually clear pop bottles and are virtually impossible to see in anything but very bright sunlight and small waves.
Le Marin:
If you are in Marin to have something fixed and need professional help, I warmly recommend Igor. He is Swedish, lives on his boat in Marin, and is able to fix anything, and does not change much. He is working so he can keep sailing, and he is very good at both. He fixed our outboard engine when the Honda workshop had given up, and we had too. Now it’s running like it never did before. Igor has been a mechanic for 15 years, has many stories to tell, and can be found on his boat “Mistral”, close to the Leader Price and of Marin.
While a decent enough mechanic Igor is untrustworthy. I sent him £500 for a ticket to antigua to help me skipper my boat. He said he arrived at the airport and they wouldn’t let his dog on the flight and then decided I owed him the money (I didn^t) and was therefore just going to keep the money. Do not trust this man, get job done and then pay.
Whilst crossing the channel between Martinique and Saint Lucia, a whale passed under my catamaran and struck the left hull, causing a tear below the water line. Talking with the harbour master, it is the third collision since December. Be careful.
Propane tank: Be aware that you cannot fill your propane/LPG tank in Martinique: You can only exchange it. We ended up buying a Campingaz tank (little blue tank, 3 kg) and regulator…
when arriving from the South Saint Anne’s bay is very convenient. Go ashore here and check in at Snack Bou Bou just beside the church. Be careful at the dinghy pontoon, your dinghy will disappear underneath so use a stern anchor or lift the front out to prevent it from sliding under. The Marina Le Marin located in Cul De Sac is good. Stern-to pontoon with buoys at the bow. Marina staff will help with this. Spacing is generally good. Frequent squalls and wind are typical in Martinique, but the surroundings are nice. Plenty of live-aboard yacht people who tend to work in and around the marine facilities.
The Carinage (haul out area) has just been renewed and has three cranes and brand new concrete base. Recommend this for renewing your antifoul or getting repairs done. Good selection of chandlers in the area, prices are reasonable compared to Grenadines. In fact, the whole island is a class above all islands south of here. Good supermarkets and restaurants.
Fort de France Dinghy Issue
We were (10th June 2015) anchored in Fort de France and made an arrangement with two other cruisers to meet ashore for a picnic. We were last to arrive and whilst approaching the dinghy dock saw three local youths aged about 18 untie our friend’s dinghy and kick it free. The wind was blowing offshore and we retrieved the dinghy on our way in. The three youths saw us tie the dinghy up and in a threatening manner told us to keep quiet. Please ensure your dinghys are locked to the dock and take care in this city.
Clearance at Petite Bateaux in Grand Anse is no longer available, however, clearance at Cyberbase (an internet cafe)in a container-like building on the waterfront at Les Anses D’Arlet is available.