Environmentally friendly adventures for the whole family in Martinique

Start by exploring the Caravelle natural reserve in Tartane, a wonderful place covering 378 hectares of sugarcane plantations, banana plantations, mangrove, beaches and breathtaking views. This is the perfect way to really grasp the beauty of ‘Madinina’, meaning ‘island of flowers’, the former name for Martinique given by the early Carib Indian inhabitants due to its dense and colourful vegetation.

Stop half way for a picnic on the beautiful and rather aptly-named beach, ‘bay of the treasure’. 

After your walk, go for a swim at the beach in Tartane’s Anse l’Etang, where you’ll find a great family vibe in an authentic fishing village. 

Drop off your bags at the Hotel French Coco , where you’ll be staying for two nights to enjoy the elegant Creole atmosphere. 

Time to get on the saddle! For your second day on the island, make your way to Sainte-Marie beach for a horse ride with Les Sabots dans le Sable. This association organises outings on the theme of the historic tradition of labourers and slaves. An activity adapted to all ages.  

In the afternoon, get an introduction to surfing on the beach at Anse Bonneville in Tartane. This is a favourite with the locals and the ideal place for beginners thanks to the predictable waves. Perfect for both parents and children!

After you’ve surfed your first waves, there’s nothing better than enjoying an evening meal with your feet in the sand at Cocoa Beach. Listen to the sound of the waves as you eat. 

For your third morning here, explore Robert’s Bay on a paddleboard or kayak and admire the picture-perfect scenery and the iguanas on Chancel Islet. Top tip: don’t forget sun cream for the whole family! 

After this sporty morning, opt for a spot of culture with a visit to the Habitation Clément. There you can go on a tour of the distillery, visit the gardens (with a magnificent palm grove) and the temporary exhibition. 

Late afternoon, head to the north of the island where you’ll appreciate the change in scenery and climate. 

Drop off your luggage at the Village Pomme Cannelle, a hotel complex where you'll be staying for 3 nights in a lush, exotic garden, to visit the north of Martinique in an authentic and sustainable way. 

Board a traditional yole boat with Jean-Guy, an experienced fisherman and diver. Jean-Guy is a native of Martinique, and he organises excursions to discover the marine environment of his beloved island. 

On this trip you will have the chance to see dolphins, go swimming, and enjoy a traditional Creole lunch on a beach that can only be reached by boat. An incredible day out to really embrace the culture and traditions of Martinique. 

Begin your exploration of the north of Madinina by visiting the Habitation Céron, an ancient sugar refinery with an extraordinary garden, a tropical forest, home to one of the oldest trees in the Caribbean, a 350-year-old Zamana tree.

For lunch, there is a restaurant at the Habitation Céron serving local dishes made only with products from the estate.

In the afternoon, go for a stroll through the natural environment to reach Anse Couleuvre, a black sand beach with emerald waters, bordered by the tropical forest. Heaven-on-earth.

The sixth day of your adventure will be devoted to Madinina’s wildlife. 

In the morning, head to Le Carbet to visit the Zoo de Martinique. The visitor’s tour is educational and suitable for young children, to learn all about the endemic species of the West Indies. You can expect to see monkeys, jaguars and even raccoons! 

For lunch, grab a table at the restaurant Le Fromager with a breathtaking view of Saint-Pierre. A menu of local dishes with plenty of freshly caught fish and seafood. The restaurant is named after an ancient, legendary ‘Fromager’ (French name for the Kapok tree) which survived the Mount Pelée eruption in 1902, as well as several cyclones and hurricanes.

In the afternoon, go for a stroll around the Jardin de Balata. In 1982, Jean-Philippe Thoze, a landscaper and horticulturist, decided to take over his grandparents’ home and create a garden there. Today, there are 3,000 exotic plants and flowers to admire. A magical experience for the senses.

At the end of the day, head further south close to Les Anses d'Arlet and check in at Ti’Bakoua for two nights. This establishment is in an unspoilt environment at the heart of a tropical garden and offers bungalows and villas to rent. There is also a treehouse in a superb Baobab with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. Welcome to paradise!

This cookery class for the whole family with Tatie Maryse, a famous chef on the island, is a chance to get to grips with Creole cuisine. An enjoyable culinary experience and an opportunity to take one of the best souvenirs of Martinique back home with you: a local recipe!

For lunch, you’ll be sampling the dishes you made with Tatie Maryse. This is when you can check and adjust your recipe for the next test! 

Growing bananas is a key part of the farming industry of Martinique.  Go on a tour of a banana plantation on a little train, explore the 65 hectares and learn about the secrets behind the production of this famous fruit.

To end your day, make your way to La Maison Clémentine in the quiet Didier district in Fort de France, where you’ll be staying for two nights. There are five luxury suites with all the modern facilities at this hotel, some with a terrace or private swimming pool. Enjoy the continental-style breakfast served on the terrace or straight to your room, with fresh fruit from the garden and freshly squeezed juices. The perfect location close to the shops and plenty of restaurants.

The morning is devoted to exploring the island’s history and heritage on a visit to the Savane des Esclaves. This museum reveals 400 years of history on Martinique, illustrating how the slaves once lived in recreations of traditional 19th-century houses. 

For lunch, head to Ti Payot, a bar/restaurant serving local specialities, and fish caught locally.

A relaxing afternoon on the beaches of Anse Dufour and Anse Noire. Enjoy some quality time as a family and go snorkelling. You might even catch a glimpse of the turtles that come and roam around on the sand here.

For your last day on Madinina, head to the dreamlike beaches in the south.

In the morning, go for a hike in the Savane des Pétrifications: A 4-km trail along the coastal path in an almost deserted area. The scenery here is very different to the rest of the island. 

This is your last afternoon on the island of flowers so make the most of it, relax on the picture-perfect beach of Salines with turquoise-blue waters and coconut trees. Such a heavenly place. 

Spend the night at Dom Nature Lodge, an original ecological concept that offers atypical rentals such as bubbles, bungalows, and a renovated bus. Let the children choose where you’ll be sleeping!

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