A seaside paradise with endless possibilities
The beaches of Martinique are delightful because of their beauty and the diversity of their landscapes, whether it is the peaceful beaches of the south Caribbean or the more tumultuous ones of the Atlantic coast. The sand is sometimes of a brilliant white, sometimes of an intense black as on the volcanic beaches of the north. For those who don't like to lounge in the sun and stay idle, the sea opens its arms and offers a profusion of nautical activities.
Sea excursions. A day on a boat to discover the Martinique coast or a little further, as towards Saint Lucia, the neighboring island located in the south, is a real pleasure. Departures are mainly from Pointe-du-Bout (commune of Trois-Ilets), Sainte-Luce or the marina of Le Marin. The departure in the morning is at around 9 am and the return at around 5 pm. The day is generally divided into several parts, with a stop for swimming and snorkeling and lunch on board, on a beach or in a restaurant.
The underwater world by boat. This trip is recommended for people with children. The atmosphere is family friendly and the excursion allows you to discover the underwater world, the boats being equipped with a glass bottom to admire underwater life.
Kayak rides. The mangrove is an ecological niche for birds and for the reproduction of shellfish, mollusks, and fish. Several mangrove areas are accessible: Grande-Rivière-Salée, Le Marin… Without forgetting the Atlantic coast near Le Robert which reveals the secrets of its small hidden islets. Service providers offer several ways to visit it: by yole or kayak. A wonderful trip to go on with your family.
Sailboat cruises. Martinique is an excellent starting point for a cruise in the Caribbean, especially to the mythical Grenadines. If you are taking a two-week vacation, we suggest renting a boat the first week and staying in a hotel the second week to visit Martinique. You can rent sailboats with an optional skipper and hostess. This option is highly recommended for budding sailors for more security. The most popular departure base is the marina of Le Marin. Many rental companies are located in Le Marin and in the marina of Pointe-du-Bout in Trois-Ilets.
Water sports. Water sports enthusiasts will be delighted! They will be able to practice all of them in Martinique: water skiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, hobie-cat, windsurfing, sea kayaking, paddle… The centers offer the “rental” formula by the hour, by the half-day or in longer packages. Some clubs are located within the hotels but are open to the public, others are independent structures.
Surfing. Surfing appeared in Martinique more than thirty years ago. The spot of Tartane (commune of La Trinité, North Atlantic coast) is the best served in waves thanks to the regularity and the size of the swell. Two very distinct peaks allow confirmed surfers to have fun on a beautiful wave and the beginners to try the joys of gliding, on smaller waves. The one at Grand-Rivière, at the northern end of the island (facing Dominica), is reserved for experienced surfers.
Kite surfing. This is the latest of the board sports, a mix between surfing, windsurfing, and kite flying! More and more kitesurfers come to Martinique, where the weather conditions are very favorable. The trade wind blows regularly from December to August (15/20 knots). The South Atlantic coast (Cap-Chevalier, Le François) and the Pointe-du-Bout (opposite Fort-de-France) are particularly popular for this sport. Clubs have been set up in these areas and offer introductory or advanced courses.
Big game fishing. The West Indies are a fisherman's paradise and the region offers memorable outings, given the size of the fish. Professionals will show you the best places to go for king mackerel, of which the meat is highly prized, skipjack (all year round), barracuda and blue marlin (especially during the second half of the year), spearfish (from March to October), dolphinfish (from November to May), sailfish (from June to November) and swordfish (during night fishing). As a general rule, the price of big game fishing is about 200 €/person for the day (complete equipment with, most of the time, drinks and snacks).
Diving. Scuba diving remains the most popular tourist activity on the island. Beginners and advanced divers alike can enjoy the scenery of fluorescent sponges, gorgonians and multicolored fish. For experienced divers, Martinique has many remarkable sites. The north, with its vertiginous drop-offs and its historical wrecks, sunk during the eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902. The south, with its white sand and turquoise waters. Coral plateaus offering dives between garden, pool, but also some beautiful drop-offs. Without forgetting the famous Diamond Rock. You will also discover the joy of diving lightly, wearing only trunks in 28 °C water, with exceptional visibility at any depth. Between fauna and flora, your eyes will discover multitudes of species and colors. More than 300,000 species have been counted in the waters of Martinique so far. And snorkeling (diving with fins, a mask and a snorkel) is another way to have fun everywhere.
Discovering the "fonds blancs”, the white sea bottoms. These famous sandy (and white) bottoms located off the coast between the communes of Le Robert and Sainte-Anne (up to Cap-Chevalier) are the greatest tourist attraction and one of the famous curiosities of Martinique. It is possible to swim in the open sea in one meter of water. These white spots (beautiful when seen from the sky, but a nightmare for deep-draft boats) are scattered all over the island: each initiate has his own little corner. So ask around! Some people go there simply to swim, others to spend a large part of the day there. Sunscreen is mandatory!
Exceptional green tourism
The main attraction of Martinique lies in its landscapes. Its natural treasures are conducive to exploration on foot or by motorized vehicles throughout the island.
Hiking and trekking. Hiking trails have been marked out by the National Forestry Office, some of them alternating between forest and coast in landscapes of pure wonder. The must-do hikes are the ascent of Mount Pelee or of Morne Larcher located in the commune of Le Diamant, the Caravelle peninsula in Tartane or even the Trace des Jésuites in Morne Rouge. For the most enduring, we suggest the route that leads from Prêcheur to Grand-Rivière. Many places are only accessible on foot, and it can be dangerous to venture out alone. Ask for information at the tourist offices and specialized structures.
Canyoning. The north of Martinique offers a prodigious playground for canyoning enthusiasts. The gorges of the rivers in the foothills of the volcanoes lend themselves to sensational descents. From the almost-friendly walk to the more technical canyon, reserved for experts (a 70 m abseiling, for example!), there is something for everyone! Abseiling down waterfalls, jumps, slides in exceptional sites, the thrills are guaranteed. Several companies offer “canyoning” packages, in full or half day packages, always accompanied by a team of certified instructors.
Adventure courses. Tree climbing courses have developed in Martinique in recent years. They offer a wide choice of original rides. They also allow you to discover the canopy, the most complex plant formation in the world. Put on your harness and play Tarzan by jumping from vine to vine! An activity accessible to both adults and children.
Horseback riding. Horseback riding enthusiasts will be delighted. Long rides on the beach, a more leisurely walk in the woods, an escapade through the sugar cane fields… Several clubs offer these services to experienced riders as well as to beginners.
Quad and 4×4. To discover the island, nothing beats a day trip in a 4×4. The service providers offer packages including transportation, a guide, and lunch. Quad biking is also a fun and accessible means of transportation and a pleasant activity to discover the island differently, through the sugar cane fields, the paths in the rainforest or by crossing streams. Whether you are a beginner or a confirmed amateur, the circuits are adapted according to your level.
Golf. Covering 60 hectares, the golf course of Martinique is one of the most beautiful achievements of the architect Trent-Jones. This Par 71 offers a wide range of difficulties: bunkers, water, hills, sea and many other obstacles. For enthusiasts!
Martinique seen from the sky
Martinique seen from the sky offers a different face and unforgettable memories to the lucky ones who will have the chance to enjoy it!
Flight in an autogyro (a light aircraft halfway between a helicopter and a plane). The sightseeing flight allows you to appreciate at best the wonders of the southeast coast: coral reef, lagoon, white sea bottoms, islets, mangroves. The overhead view of these jewels highlights the color contrasts between the deep ocean and the coral. All along the fifty kilometers of the coral reef, you will admire the great diversity of landscapes: those of the peninsula of Caravelle (Tartane bay and natural park), the small islet of Loup-Garou (lost in the middle of the ocean off Le Robert) or the tropical islets—wild or inhabited—which dot the lagoon. You will come back from these flights dazzled! Of course, this activity is subject to weather conditions, it is of course recommended to fly out on a sunny day.
