A seaside paradise with endless possibilities
Are you hoping to spend your vacation on a picture-postcard beach, white sand and turquoise sea, coconut in hand, in the shade of a palm tree growing right on the beach? Rest assured, these idyllic beaches do exist on the island. The Caribbean south offers white sand and calm seas, the Atlantic coast a more invigorating sea, while the volcanic north stands out for its black sand beaches. The island is also full of water sports activities for the more active.
Sea excursions. A day's boat trip along the coast of Martinique or the neighboring island of Saint Lucia will leave you with some of your fondest memories. By sailboat or speedboat, departures are mainly from Pointe-du-Bout, Sainte-Luce or Le Marin marina. Some cruises include dolphin and sea turtle watching. Excursions generally start around 9 a.m. and return to port around 5 p.m. The day is punctuated by swimming and snorkeling stops. Lunch is served on board, on a beach or in a local restaurant.
By glass-bottomed boat. This trip is recommended for those accompanied by children. This family-friendly excursion lets you discover the seabed and admire underwater life through the glass bottom of the boats. Departures from Anses d'Arlet or Le Marin.
Kayak excursions. A kayak excursion lets you explore areas that are only accessible by sea, such as islets and mangroves. The latter serve as breeding grounds for underwater fauna and are home to numerous bird species. Several mangroves are accessible on the south and west coasts, notably around Le Marin and Grande Rivière Salée. On the Atlantic coast, kayaking offers the opportunity to discover the coral reefs and white seabed of Le François, as well as the islets of Le Robert, home to iguanas.
Sailboat cruises. Situated at the center of the Caribbean arc, Martinique is an ideal departure point for a sailing cruise to Dominica and Guadeloupe in the north, or to Saint Lucia and the Grenadines in the south. Experienced sailors will find yachts available for hire without skipper. Beginners can opt to charter a sailboat with skipper and hostess, either in the cabin or with the entire boat privatized. For a 15-day stay, we recommend combining a week's cruising with a week's hotel accommodation to explore the island. Rental companies are located in Le Marin and at the Pointe-du-Bout marina in Les Trois-Îlets.
Water sports. Water sports enthusiasts are in for a treat! Martinique offers a multitude of activities: water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, hobbie-cat, windsurfing, sea kayaking, paddleboarding... The centers offer rentals by the hour, half-day or longer. Some clubs, although located on hotel premises, are open to the general public, while others operate as independent structures.
Surfing. From November to May, the northeast swell brings the island its finest waves. Thanks to its strategic position, the Caravelle peninsula enjoys a regular swell. You'll find two spots in Tartane: Anse Bonneville and Anse l'Étang. At Anse l'Étang, the waves are suitable for beginners and experienced surfers alike. The spots to the north of Martinique (Anse Céron, Anse Couleuvre) offer the best conditions, but are also the most dangerous. They are therefore reserved exclusively for experienced surfers.
Kitesurfing, Wingfoil, Kitefoil. Martinique is attracting more and more enthusiasts of these modern board sports, which combine surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. The island enjoys ideal weather conditions, with the trade winds blowing regularly (15/20 knots) from December to August. The most popular spots are on the South Atlantic coast (Pointe Faula in Le Vauclin, Anse Michel in Cap-Chevalier) and in the bay of Fort-de-France (Pointe du Bout and Trois-Îlets). Specialized clubs located at these sites offer introductory and advanced courses.
Big-game fishing. The West Indies are a paradise for big-game fishing, offering memorable outings. The professional who accompanies you will guide you to the best spots to track down various species: king mackerel, whose flesh is highly prized, bonito (available all year round), barracuda and blue marlin (mainly in the second half of the year), spearfish (March to October), dolphinfish (November to May), sailfish (June to November) and swordfish (during night fishing). Generally speaking, the price of a big-game fishing trip is between €150 and €200 per person for an intensive half-day, from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., including full equipment and, more often than not, drinks and snacks.
Scuba diving. Scuba diving remains the island's leading tourist activity. Beginners and experts alike can marvel at the fascinating scenery of fluorescent sponges, gorgonians and multicolored fish. Martinique offers many exceptional sites: to the north, dizzying drop-offs and historic wrecks sunk by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902; to the south, turquoise waters fringed by white sand. The coral plateaus offer a variety of dives, from underwater gardens to natural pools, not forgetting some magnificent drop-offs and the famous Diamond Rock. You'll appreciate the lightness of diving in just a shorty in water at 28°C, offering exceptional visibility at all depths. The richness of the flora and fauna will surprise you with its diversity of colors and species, over 300,000 of which have been recorded in Martinique's waters. Snorkeling (diving with fins, mask and snorkel) allows you to enjoy these wonders almost everywhere.
The white seabed. These famous white sandy seabeds, located between the communes of Le Robert and Sainte-Anne (as far as Cap-Chevalier), are the star attraction for tourists and a real curiosity in Martinique. They offer the unique possibility of bathing in the open sea with only one metre of water. Magnificent from the air, but dangerous for navigation, these shoals dot the coastline, and every enthusiast has his or her own favorite spot. Half-day and full-day excursions are available by sailboat, motorboat or kayak. On the menu: splendid coral reefs guaranteed - and sun cream essential!
Exceptional green tourism
Martinique's main attraction lies in its magnificent landscapes. Its natural treasures lend themselves perfectly to exploration, whether on foot, on horseback or in a vehicle.
Hiking and trekkingtrails, marked out by the Office National des Forêts, offer superb scenery between forest and coast. Not-to-be-missed hikes include the ascent of Montagne Pelée (7 km, elevation gain 800 m), Morne Larcher in the south of the island (3 km, elevation gain 400 m), the Caravelle peninsula (9 km, elevation gain 300 m) and the Trace des Jésuites at Morne Rouge (5 km, elevation gain 300 m). For experienced hikers, we recommend the route linking Prêcheur to Grand-Rivière (15 km, gradient 1000 m). Please note: some areas are only accessible on foot and can be dangerous if you venture out alone.
Canyoning. The north of Martinique is an exceptional playground for canyoning enthusiasts, a combination of whitewater sports, hiking and climbing, sometimes with impressive abseils. Whether you prefer a family-friendly trip or a technical canyon reserved for experts, you're bound to find something to suit you. A variety of activities - abseiling down waterfalls, jumps and slides in exceptional natural settings - guarantee intense emotions. A number of providers offer full-day and half-day canyoning packages, all supervised by certified instructors.
Adventure courses. In recent years, Martinique has seen an increase in the number of accrobranche courses, offering a variety of original rides. These installations allow you to explore the canopy, considered to be the most complex plant formation in the world. Equipped with a harness, you can play Tarzan as you leap from vine to vine! This fun activity is suitable for adults and children alike.
Horseback riding. Horse-riding enthusiasts will be delighted. Whether you're looking for long rides on the beach, leisurely strolls in the forest or excursions through sugar cane fields and mangroves, the island offers a variety of settings for this activity. A number of equestrian centers offer their services, suitable for experienced riders and novices alike.
Quad bikes, buggies, motorcycles and 4x4s. To discover the island, nothing beats a 4x4 excursion. Guided tours are available from several parts of the island. Quad or buggy driving is another option for exploring the island in a different way, crossing sugar cane fields, trails and rainforest streams. Service providers offer all-inclusive packages including transport, accompanying guide and lunch. Suitable tours are available for beginners and experienced hikers alike.
The golf course. Spanning 63 hectares, the Golf de la Martinique (Les Trois-Îlets) is one of the finest creations of architect Trent-Jones. This 18-hole (Par 71) course offers a wide range of technical challenges: bunkers, water hazards, hills, numerous natural obstacles and a beautiful sea view. A true paradise for golf enthusiasts!
Martinique seen from the sky
As you soar through the air, Martinique takes on a different face, with its contrasting blues, greens and whites...unforgettable memories!
Flight in an autogyro (a light aircraft halfway between a helicopter and a plane). A choice of three sightseeing flights departing from Le Lamentin airport allows you to admire either the landscapes of the southwest coast, or those of the Atlantic coast. The flights offer a remarkable diversity of landscapes: the Caravelle peninsula, the small islet of Loup-Garou - lost in the middle of the ocean off Robert - or the tropical islets, sometimes wild, sometimes inhabited, that dot the lagoon. Aerial views of the coral reef, lagoons, white seabed, islets and mangroves reveal the striking color contrasts between the deep ocean and the coral. You'll come away dazzled! However, this activity is subject to weather conditions. We recommend a sunny day for your excursion.
