A trip to discover dolphins and cetaceans starting from Case Pilote

There is a new activity that has been very popular in Martinique for a few years now ... a walk to discover our friends the "Dolphins". This famous cetacean is a little bit the friend of man, the "pinball machine" of our childhood ... But who says fashionable excursion, sometimes says tourist drift and it is good to sort through all providers who offer this ride.

So me, the "smart girl", I tested a few weeks ago, the purest of the island's excursionists: AMPHITRITE.

Wake up early in the morning (almost dawn) to be on the deck at 8.30 am, time of departure from the charming little fishing port of Case Pilote. Little advice: it is wise to leave early if you are staying in the south of the island as traffic jams are frequent on the outskirts of the Lamentin and Fort de France!

Welcome on the quay of Benoît and his charming companion Béverlie. Amphitrite is the name of their boat, a traditional fishing skiff

Here, no crowds of tourists, the small ship can accommodate a maximum of 8 passengers

Benoit the young captain looks like an old sea wolf, Caribbean version with his Bakoua hat! He's a bit of a local boy; he was born in Reunion Island and has lived in Martinique since he was a kid. I've never heard a "metro" speak Creole without any accent! I'm completely bluffed!

We leave the harbour and head north towards the Carbet. Benoit starts with a short briefing on safety on board, tells us about his passion for the seabed, which he has been exploring for over 15 years. The heart of the observatory is located between Case Pilote and the Carbet. Benoit explains that the cetacean-friendly excursionists have all signed a charter for a responsible approach and observation of marine mammals in Martinique. Members call each other on the VHS to notify the members if schools of dolphins are located.

And this morning we are lucky, the dolphins are very present in their stronghold, we will be able to immortalize this magic moment on our camera!

Then Béverlie takes the floor and starts to explain to us all the things we've always ignored about cetaceans! It's a real flesh-and-blood scientific bible! I learn that the area where marine mammals are found is called the "nursery"; she explains that dolphins love to "kiss each other" and that nearly 21 species of mammals have been recorded: whales, dolphins, sperm whales and killer whales sail close to the coast. Cetaceans are sensitive to noise disturbance, which generates stress and changes their behaviour. Similarly, it is strongly discouraged to dive and swim between dolphins, as they are wild and potentially dangerous marine mammals, far from the friendly image of "Flipper"

A real treat to see these mammals jumping and "doing the show" around our boat.

After having well observed and photographed our friends the dolphins, we make road towards the coves of the North Caribbean and Benoit tells us the story of Saint Pierre, the eruption of the Mount Pelée, the destruction of the city in a few seconds by the burning cloud..

The morning is slowly going by and it's starting to get very hot... it's time to make a splash and go and see the fish! Anchorage in a magnificent cove with black sand; we equip ourselves with fins, masks and snorkels and dive in the footsteps of Benoit, for a live course on the underwater fauna and flora, always with the respect of nature and the marine environment as a leitmotiv

I am indeed learning that we should not feed the fish because this destroys the underwater flora and fauna in the medium term.

While we are happily paddling around, Béverlie is wriggling alone on the boat to prepare us a great snack!

A magnificent tropical fruit platter awaits us, accompanied by "arranged" rums and fresh fish rillettes, concocted by hand; all the fish from their catch are used to create delicious recipes such as a marlin or dolphin sea bream tartar. A real delight, especially when accompanied by a ti punch or a rum-based cocktail!

But it is already time to return to the port, the sun is at its zenith, already almost noon ..

Hugs and goodbye on the pontoon... I spent a superb morning, full of discoveries, both scientific, cultural and tasteful, and in a small group on top of that!

Congratulations to both of them for their knowledge, know-how and good humour

I'll be back to find out next time, sport fishing..

By the way, I almost forgot! Do you know what "Amphitrite" means? It is a pretty name evocative of the Odyssey that mentions her as a sea deity.

AMPHITRITE information and schedules

[email protected]
Tel: 06 96 07 82 65 - 06 96 80 38 62

http://www.amphitrite-martinique.com

https://www.facebook.com/amphitrite.peche.dauphin.martinique

www.martinique.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/promouvoir-une-observation-a442.html

Departure from the pontoon of Case Pilote.

Dolphin discovery outing: departure at 8.30 am and return at noon. Rates: 50 € per adult and 30 € for children

Sport fishing: departure at 6.30 am and return at 2 pm. Rates: from 80 € per angler or 90 € per angler with loan of equipment.

North Caribbean Coast Discovery Day

Caribbean Sunset Stroll

Leave at the end of the day, when the sun lights illuminate the coast, for a quiet and romantic stroll to the bay of St Pierre