Super Sainte-Anne

On New Year’s Day we motored about five miles out of the inner harbor of Le Marin to Sainte-Anne on the south side of Martinique. While leaving the harbor we motored by several large super-yachts; they are as ubiquitous as Catalina 36’s in Seattle. It’s always interesting to see the huge aft decks and the helicopters (God forbid they walk anywhere) on the upper helipads.

As amazing at it seems, these super yachts are ubiquitous around Martinique.

Once clear of the harbor we headed left and sailed along a beautiful three-mile-long golden sand beach, passing the large Club Med on the west side and with Sainte-Anne laying at the eastern end of the beach. 

It was a little of a challenge, as usual, to find a good anchoring spot but once we got situated in the lee of the wind we found the area enchanting.  Sainte-Anne is a classic little French-influenced seaside village full of neat restaurants, shops, and great hiking trails.


The French construct great dingy docks and after tying up the dingy we headed left for a three-mile walk along the beach to the Club Med. Since it was a holiday, the beaches were full of locals, along with the hordes or tourists who jet in from France on daily Air France flights.

Walking north from the village of Sainte-Anne to the Buccaneer Creek Club Med.

Amazingly, we don’t get much opportunity to slowly walk along a beautiful stretch of beach, and this one was gorgeous. At the end was the massive Club Med facility, complete with a huge pool, a huge dock, and a huge restaurant. We stayed at a Club Med in The Bahamas several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great food, great wine, and a fun time.

Playing family volleyball at the pool at the Buccaneer Creek Club Med.

Guests at the Club Med can water ski and wake board from boats at the end of this dock.

Cheers to a Happy 2014!

The French certainly know how to enjoy life.

We stopped at a beach side restaurant on the way back for a beer, and true to Gallic tradition, the service was almost non existent, but the cold Lorraine beer was great once we finally got it. Meryl and I need to learn to kick back and relax more and have more ahhh moments. I know that sounds strange given the fact we’re living on a sailboat in the Caribbean, but the cruising lifestyle can be very demanding at times.

The roughly 15-mile trail with beautiful secluded beaches around every turn.

 We did a lot of walking/hiking while at Sainte-Anne and our favorite was a long hike along the southern coastline called Trace des Capes. The excellent trail meanders through a lightly forested area along the coast for about 15 miles, stopping a various beaches along the way.
 

Wish they had these toys when I was a kid.

After only a mile we came across a hotel complex with a fantastic beachfront area complete with floating mountains, climbing wall, and “jump on the sausage” toys. We sat and had a beer and watched the local kids attending a day camp, enjoying themselves along with kids off some of the local cruising boats.

Beach at Pointe des Salines.

With bright sunshine and a light breeze blowing it was idyllic hiking conditions and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. We didn’t make the whole 15 miles, but the approximately 7 miles was enough for us. We don’t get much chance to do long hikes when we are off the boat so this was a very special treat.