Le François Bay

About This Anchorage

Le François Bay on Martinique's Atlantic coast is famous throughout the island for the Fonds Blancs — extraordinary shallow white sand banks rising almost to the surface in the middle of the sheltered bay, where Martiniquais families wade, drink, and hold open-air waterside celebrations in waist-deep water. The setting is uniquely Caribbean: a shallow turquoise lagoon protected by reef and mangrove coast, with the white sand banks creating a natural beach platform just below the surface. Boats anchor in 1–3m on brilliant white sand with exceptional holding, and the calm, protected water makes it one of the most relaxing anchorages in Martinique. Le François town ashore is the largest town on the Atlantic coast with good provisioning, restaurants, and a weekly market. Weekend afternoons at Fonds Blancs are a quintessential Martiniquais social experience — local music, rum punch, and families wading in warm water.

Hazards

• !Very shallow — 1–3m; Caribbean tide of 30cm is significant here; check depths at lowest water before anchoring
• !Seagrass around bay edges — anchor only on the white sand banks; DAPN patrols
• !Crowded on weekends with local boats and swimmers — moderate speed throughout the bay; maintain watch
• !Atlantic reef passage approach — confirm current entry waypoints from SHOM chart before entry

Skipper's Tips

• →Fonds Blancs is uniquely Martiniquais — arrive on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to experience the local culture at its best
• →The shallow white sand banks are safe for swimming and wading — extraordinary clarity with brilliant white substrate
• →Chez Alice floating restaurant operates on weekends — book by phone (ask locally for current contact) for lunch at the Fonds Blancs
• →Le François town has the best supermarket on the Atlantic coast — stock up before returning to the Caribbean side
• →The approach from the Atlantic coast requires care — use SHOM chart 4652 and enter via the marked buoyed channel

Nearby Anchorages