Day Sails
Kata Mambo. The catamaran Kata Mambo offers two full-day excursions now. You can sail north to historic St-Pierre and snorkel in clear, Atlantic waters, or you can have a sail coupled with a 4x4 adventure through sugarcane and banana plantations in the south of the island. The full-day trips include rum drinks and a good, multicourse creole lunch. The boat pulls into its slip at the marina at 5 pm. This is a fun day, and you're likely to meet some dolphins. Also, someone in the crew will speak English. This operation has been in the biz since the early 1990s; that longevity attests to its professionalism. Pointe du Bout Marina, Les Trois-Îlets, n/a Martinique, 97229. 0696/25–23–16; 0596/66–11–83; www.kata-mambo.com. From €80.
La Belle Kréole. One of the most popular excursion boats takes you to les fonds blancs, also known as Empress Joséphine's baths. (These are natural, shallow pools with white-sand bottoms.) You can experience the unique Martinican custom of "baptism by rum" (tilt your head back while standing in waist-deep water, and one of the crew pours rum into your mouth). The cost of the day-trip depends in part on what you choose to have for lunch, which is taken on the remote Isle de Thierry. There's planter's punch and dancing to Martinican music. Yes, it is touristy—you're basically on a booze cruise that lasts from 9 to 5, with lots of loud music—but it's equally popular with locals and families. A two-hour excursion directly to the baths is also available on a smaller boat with capacity for nine guests. Baie du Simon, Slip 36, Le François, n/a Martinique, 97240. 0596/54–95–57; 0696/25–82–71; www.baignoiredejosephine.com. From €50.
Les Ballades du Delphis. This civilized full-day tour uses one of three commodious catamarans, with two departure points: François Bay and Anse Spoutourne (Tartane). The sail from François takes in the famous fonds blancs and then the Baie du Robert and I'let Chancel to see sea iguanas and ruins. The Tartane route heads to Treasure Bay, one of the most appealing nature preserves on the island. You'll be served planter's punch, accras (fritters), and a creole-style lunch with fish or chicken. A new offering is a day cruise with an overnight at the guesthouse on islet Oscar, a magical setting, with meals included. All of these cruises can be idyllic travel memories, especially when you are sailing from islet to islet, between coral reefs and swimming in shallow pools with white-sand bottoms. The boats are available for private party charters or a romantic couple sail. These comfortable catamarans have a capacity for 23 guests and are even wheelchair accessible. La Marina du François, Baie du Simon, Le François, n/a Martinique, 97240. 0696/90–90–36; www.catadelphis.com. From €80.
