Embarking from Martinique for a catamaran cruise without a skipper means choosing absolute freedom in one of the most beautiful nautical playgrounds in the world. Regular trade winds, turquoise waters, sumptuous anchorages and first-rate port services create the ideal setting for a totally autonomous navigation around Martinique. And all this without giving up comfort since you are sailing aboard a modern and spacious catamaran.
At RentSailBoat, we offer fully private cruises of a minimum of three days, with or without a skipper, departing from the marina of Le Marin (Martinique). Another option, much rarer, is to depart from the Blue Lagoon Marina in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. For experienced sailors, bareboat charter combines mastery, privacy and elegance on board, with professional support to simplify every step, from formalities to logistics. Whether you dream of a romantic getaway, a family holiday or an adventure with friends, the catamaran charter Martinique without skipper adapts to all profiles. The only condition is that you have some nautical experience.
Why choose Martinique as the starting point for boat rental without skipper or crew?
Martinique has everything sailing enthusiasts are looking for: a tropical climate tempered by the trade winds, reasonable distances between neighbouring islands, legible daytime passes and mature nautical infrastructures. Catamaran charter in Martinique without a skipper offers you a reassuring and varied setting. You can navigate between sheltered bays, anchorages and well-equipped marinas, while modulating your cruise itinerary on a day-to-day basis.
Sailing without a skipper means living at your own pace. Decide on a last-minute anchorage, extend a sunset at Anse d’Arlet or stay two days in a deserted cove or head at sunrise to Saint Lucia. Thanks to boat rental in Martinique with RentSailBoat, you can compose your sailing plan, freely, without time constraints or fixed programs.
This freedom does not exclude comfort, quite the contrary. Our fleet of Bali catamarans offers generous living spaces, fluid circulation between inside and outside, and all the autonomy equipment to take full advantage of wild anchorages far from marinas. The combination of autonomy and comfort is at the heart of our proposal for a successful cruise in Martinique .
License and experience: what you need to know to sail a sailboat without a skipper and in complete safety for your holidays in Martinique
In France, and therefore in Martinique, no license is required to rent a sailing sailboat, including a cruising catamaran. On the other hand, a sailing experience consistent with the size and conditions of sailing is a must to consider a bareboat charter in complete safety. Our team carefully checks the level of the skipper before handing over the boat.
We ask for a precise nautical CV retracing your miles, sailing areas, types of boats and manoeuvres practiced, as well as your possible certifications (Day Skipper, ICC, national certificates). The objective is not bureaucratic: it is a question of adapting the choice of boat, the briefing and, if necessary, recommending a guided handling on the first day to ensure a serene start.
Those who are new to multihulls but have solid experience on monohulls benefit from enhanced support. They will be able to master inertia, engine manoeuvring and two-engine mooring approaches. For more novice crews, it is sometimes wise to start with a skippered cruise, then schedule a next bareboat charter in Martinique when the experience has matured. We always advise you honestly on the most suitable formula for your profile.
The ideal catamaran for a bareboat cruise in Martinique: the Bali range
Bali’s CATSMART: the best space/manoeuvrability ratio
The Bali CATSMART is our ideal starting point for a solo or small-crew boat charter. At 38 feet, it offers remarkable volume for this category: a large saloon, fluid circulation, a rigid forward cockpit and generous storage space.
The BALI CATSPACE, with its 40 feet will suit a crew of up to 10 people, with its removable bunks in the forward, port and starboard double cabins. It is also the only catamaran of this size to offer a flybridge — a unique feature in its class for sailing with an unobstructed 360° view. Available in 3 or 4 cabins, it is perfect for cruises as a couple or in small groups from Martinique.
The Bali 4.2: up to 12 beds for groups and families
The Bali 4.2 marks the entry into a more upscale dimension. Thanks to its ultra-bright Open Space concept and its 4 double cabins with private bathrooms, it can accommodate up to 12 berths with forespikes and convertible saloon. For example, it is the reference model for cruising with family or friends who want to enjoy large living spaces on board. The optimised layout reduces fatigue and increases the number of fun moments at anchor.
Autonomy equipment on board
All the boats in our fleet are configured for a real cruise in autonomy : solar panels, generous battery bank, generator, large capacity water tanks (and sometimes watermaker), large refrigerators and freezers, dinghy with outboard motor, autopilot, GPS plotter, depth sounder and VHF. All catamarans for rent at RentSailBoat are in very good condition, recent or new and regularly maintained. Thus, they allow you to extend the stopovers in the most remote coves without giving up quality cuisine or the comfort of an exceptional cruise.
Cruise itineraries from Martinique: build your own program
Sailing along the Martinique coast (3 to 5 days)
For a mini-cruise without international formalities, the leeward coast of Martinique offers a succession of ideal protected anchorages. From Le Marin, the privileged starting point of our cruises, Sainte-Anne is a perfect first stop, with its turquoise beaches and its authentic atmosphere. You can then follow the coast to Anse Dufour and Anse Noire to observe turtles, then Anses d’Arlet for their Caribbean village charm and snorkeling. Saint-Pierre, at the foot of Mount Pelée, concludes this tour magnificently with its wreck dives and its lively market. The sailings between each stage remain short — one to three hours — perfect for getting to grips with catamaran sailing.
Destination the Grenadines: sailing between the islands of the archipelago in 8 to 10 days
For a full Grenadines cruise , the signature itinerary takes you to Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, Union Island and Palm Island. On the way back you can pass through Canouan and Bequia, before going up via Saint Lucia to Martinique. The Tobago Cays, a protected marine park, offers crystal clear water, ubiquitous turtles and lively reefs. Mayreau seduces with its small church overlooking the bay and its Salt Whistle Bay beach. Union Island offers you the animation of the Caribbean atmosphere with its beach restaurants and Happy Island. Finally, Palm Island is the perfect place for an early morning swim in a postcard lagoon.
Are you dreaming of an even more local immersion? Incorporate Granada as a destination on your itinerary for cruises of 10 days or more. With its spice markets and deserted beaches in Carriacou, opt for an unforgettable experience.
Daily sailings are generally between two and five hours, to leave time for swimming, shore walks and aperitifs at sunset. You can adjust your own itinerary according to your desires and the actual weather conditions.
Seasons and weather during your trip: choose the right window to sail according to the sailing conditions during your charter in Martinique
The high season runs from December to May, carried by regular easterly to north-easterly trade winds oscillating between 15 and 20 knots. The sea is moderate, the visibility excellent and the temperatures very pleasant. This period is ideal for a catamaran charter in Martinique without a skipper, both for lovers of invigorating sailing and for family crews.
The low season, from June to November, often offers pleasant conditions, reduced attendance and lower prices. However, this period overlaps with the hurricane season, with a statistical peak in August-September. We closely follow the weather reports and accompany you in the adjustment of the itinerary if necessary. Whatever your dates, we tell you the most reliable shelters, areas to avoid and seasonal peculiarities — such as sargassum on some beaches. This way, you can be sure that your sailing cruise will take place in the best possible conditions.
Formalities, anchorages and good sailing practices during a bareboat charter
As soon as you leave French waters, customs and immigration formalities are necessary. We advise you, if necessary, to keep these procedures simple and fast. Clearance is mandatory before leaving Martinique. Customs are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.), at pontoon 5 of the marina of Le Marin. We show you the most convenient ports of entry for the Marinas of the islands you have chosen to visit on your route: Saint Lucia, Bequia, Canouan or Union Island, for example, as well as the documents to present.
In protected areas such as the Tobago Cays, mooring on a buoy is mandatory to protect the seabed. In free anchorages, the anchor on sand is the golden rule: avoid seagrass beds and corals, check the anchor hold in reverse, check the length of anchoring according to the depth. These basic reflexes are part of a responsible sailboat charter. The presence of boat boys offering assistance and local products is part of the Caribbean landscape; Their service is often useful for securing a buoy or stocking up on fresh fruit and fish.
RentSailBoat services: support from departure to return
Technical assistance for your catamaran
Even in bareboat charter, you are never alone. On the day of embarkation, a technical briefing familiarises you with the catamaran from A to Z: sail, energy systems, navigation electronics, dinghy and safety procedures. Our team is at your disposal throughout the cruise. A simple call or message can get advice on an anchorage, technical help or a restaurant recommendation on an island.
For crews wishing to build up their confidence quickly, the option of a skipper for the first day is possible without giving up the rest of the cruise independently. This hybrid format works particularly well for sailors who are new to the West Indies or other types of multihull boats.
Departures are mainly from the port of Le Marin in Martinique. However, you can also decide to start your cruise from the Grenadines archipelago. In this case, you set sail from the Blue Lagoon Marina, located at the southern end of the island of St. Vincent.
Beforehand, discover our YOUTUBE channel and all the videos concerning the handling, the operation of the on-board equipment, but also the common maneuvers on a catamaran.
The price of a catamaran charter without a skipper
In terms of prices, catamaran rental in Martinique without a skipper starts from €390/day for a 38-foot catamaran (Bali Catsmart). A security deposit is required, with the possibility of buying back the deposit via our partner Ouest Assurances or a deposit option reduced to 50% to reduce your commitment, and browse with peace of mind! We build a tailor-made program with you, with total transparency on all costs: final cleaning, customs, paid moorings, fuel. No unpleasant surprises, only the best price for your project.
Provisioning, life on board and eco-responsibility
What to choose when refuelling?
Le Marin concentrates chandleries, ship chandlers and supermarkets with slots dedicated to nautical provisioning. A clever provisioning favors fresh local products, tropical fruits and vegetables, artisanal fish, supplemented by quality dry and preserved food. The large capacity refrigerators allow you to really cook, for convivial meals on board throughout your cruise in the West Indies.
Living well on board with respect for the aquatic fauna and flora
Water and energy management is anticipated from the beginning: deck showers after swimming, rational use of air conditioning and generators, recharging devices during the day using solar panels. A small daily ritual of checking the levels, combined with a weather report and a quick review of the program, is enough to keep control of your logistics. 4G connectivity is good throughout the Caribbean to remain reachable in all circumstances.
Nothing must end up in the sea : sorting waste, reducing packaging, returning to land at the points provided for this purpose. Sunscreen respectful of the corals while snorkeling, no contact with the reef, respect for the integral protection zones in the Tobago Cays. By choosing RentSailBoat for your bareboat charter, you are helping to preserve this exceptional setting for future generations.
Ready to take the helm in Martinique? Contact RentSailBoat
Choosing a catamaran charter in Martinique without a skipper with RentSailBoat means embarking on an exceptional cruise in the heart of the West Indies : freedom of navigation, comfort worthy of a floating villa, preserved natural sites between Martinique, Saint Lucia and the Grenadines. Give us all the important information, number of people on board, departure dates, crew or not and we will offer you the ideal boat to set sail, with you, towards autonomy and comfort. Contact us to enjoy your sailing holidays in Martinique with complete peace of mind!
