We picked up anchor in St. Martin and headed southeast towards Île Fourchue, a little island halfway between St. Martin and Saint Barthélemy (aka St. Barts). We read some reviews in Navionics about this island and decided it was worth a stop. It was a beautiful day for sailing, and within 1-1/2 hours at 6.5 knots, we pulled into a captivating bay with a mountainous background, reminiscent of the desert-lined peaks in Arizona, but without the sparkling aquamarine bay.
Île Fourchue is an uninhabited, secluded, private island, and the only way to access it is by boat. The French Marine Nature Reserve has given boaters permission to pick up a free mooring ball, for a maximum of seven days, and enjoy all that this quiet island has to offer.
There are only about eight mooring balls in the bay, and we were happy that a ball was available when we arrived. Anchoring behind the mooring balls is permissible, but the water is deep and one would have to lay out a lot of chain. We usually prefer to anchor, but the mooring balls were in good shape and allowed us to get closer to shore, providing more protection from swells coming into the bay. Most boaters visit the island from St. Barts for a one-day excursion, without staying overnight. So if you arrive here and all the mooring balls are full, your chance of one becoming available late afternoon is pretty good.
Île Fourchue (also known as Île Fourche) is named after its shape of clefts and chasms. The name literally means “Island of clefts and splits.” It is an enchanting island surrounded by nature and is a relaxing place for a getaway. Although the isle is uninhabited at this time, archeologists have uncovered ancient artifacts and petroglyphs scattered throughout the landscape indicating that the Arawak and Carib Indians dwelled on the island at one time.
European colonial powers tried to gain control of the region at one point, but I didn’t dig deep enough to find out more. I did learn, however, that the island was once a safe haven for pirates seeking protection from the wind and the waves, and a great lookout point for enemy ships. The island’s crags, ridges, and caverns made it a great hideout for these pirates, and I wonder if they left buried treasure when they fled the little isle.
Today, Île Fourchue is a pristine natural reserve with a landscape of scrub brush, cacti, and giant boulders. We’ve heard that hiking up the mountain slopes is a good workout with rewards of an amazing view of the terrain and nearby islands. Since we only stayed for one day and a night, we opted not to do the hike in the hot humid weather. Instead, we donned our fins and masks and went for a snorkeling adventure.
The water in the bay was clean and clear. We could see the 25-foot bottom just standing on our boat. Once in the water, we saw underwater life swimming all around. A curious four-foot barracuda kept staring us down, but he was more afraid of us than we were of him. We also saw a baby sting ray skirting the sandy sea floor, a giant turtle, and multitudes of reef fish. What a healthy marine life and an untouched gem by most of the world. We are so blessed to be able to park our boat in this beautiful bay and see a part of God’s untarnished creation!
We enjoyed a wonderful day of swimming, snorkeling, and admiring the grandeur of this land. I spotted a few wild goats on the hilltops right before we watched the stunning sunset. What an amazing day!
When we laid our heads on our pillows at night, with our hatches open, and the moon and brilliant stars looking down on us, we heard the sounds of birds chirping, singing, and shrieking from land. It almost sounded like a tribe of monkeys. I imagine this would be a great place for bird enthusiasts and astronomers alike. It was a thrill and a celestial treat, to say the least!
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
Psalm 145:4-6
and shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
and on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
and I will declare Your greatness.