Martinique: what to do, what to see...

The island of Martinique rises jewel-like from the Caribbean. Its beaches are of black sand in the north, and golden sand in the south. The active volcano of Mount Pelée, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023, is an open invitation to view the island from above, while the subsea world is a regenerative experience for divers. From brightly coloured fishing yoles to typically Caribbean beats, Creole culture works its magic everywhere here.

Visits you cannot miss in Martinique

• The city of Saint-Pierre
At the foot of Mount Pelee, Saint Pierre sits in the hollow of a bay bordered by a gray sand beach. Since the eruption of 1902 that ravaged the city and killed all its inhabitants, fishing and tourism are the only resources of the city. Many vestiges of the past remain: the old prison with the dungeon of Cyparis, the old church of the Fort, the Habitation Levassor, the old theater ...

• Fort of France
Nestled in the Bay of Flamands and at the foot of the peaks of Carbet, the Martinican metropolis is the Creole soul of the island, with its historic center and colorful markets.

• The village of Sainte-Anne at aperitif time
The town of Sainte-Anne, south of Martinique, offers the most beautiful beaches of the Lesser Antilles on 22 kilometers of shoreline. Its landscape is varied and surprising with its coconut trees, savannah, ponds .... The seaside is a place of idleness prized at the time of the aperitif, with its animated bars.

• The protected and natural reserve of La Caravelle
The peninsula of Caravelle formed 10 million years ago, is the oldest part of Martinique. This advance of ten kilometers in the Atlantic Ocean is a protected nature reserve whose diversity of landscapes is absolutely remarkable.

• The Carbet
Painted by Gauguin who stayed there, the town of Carbet is among the most tourist sites in Martinique. This is where Christopher Columbus landed during his 4th trip in 1502. With its gray sand beaches and breathtaking views of the volcano, Le Carbet has it all ...

• The municipality of Grand-Rivière
This small fishing village isolated from everything at the foot of Mount Pelee, is located north of the island. Tourism is not really present, but its authenticity and its virgin places of all civilization that make all its charm! A good place to practice canyoning.

• Savannah of slaves
Slavery and the slave trade are inseparable from the history of Martinique. This site of Trois-Îlets aims to trace this story through the reconstruction of an authentic village of the 19th century, under Napoleon. You will discover the very difficult living conditions of slaves.

• The Gorges de la Falaise
The Falaise River that descends the slopes of Mount Pelee finds its way between the impressive walls of a canyon. The sporty visit is accompanied by a guide: slides, jumps and baths of fresh water in the crystalline basins

• Cap 110, The Anse Caffard Memorial
Located in the town of Le Diamant, the Cap 110 memorial is a tribute to all victims of slavery in Martinique. 15 busts of 2.50 meters high are arranged at the top of the rock of the Caffard Cove, facing the tormented winds of the Ocean.

• The Salines beach
The beach of Salines in Sainte-Anne is often cited as the most beautiful beach in Martinique. This long strip of white sand lined with coconut trees is very busy on weekends. Picnic tables are placed in the shade and some services offer snacks.

Essential activities in Martinique

• Admire the breathtaking view of Morne Gommier
A magnificent 360-degree panorama awaits you on the heights of Morne Gommier to admire the city of Marin, Sainte Anne, the breakers of Macabou, the point of Salines, Saint Lucia, the Diamond Rock, the Lady Lying on Morne Larcher, the peaks of Carbet, Mount Pelee, the Mountain of Vauclin, Morne Sulpice, Volcano Heartbreaker ...

• Attend the start of the regatta of the Tour des Yoles
A skiff is a fine and light craft propelled to rowing or sailing. The tour round the rounds of Martinique is a regatta that has existed for more than 30 years. This sporting event, established on a 7-stage course, is the largest in Martinique and runs for one week between late July and early August.

• Proudly climb the active volcano of Mount Pelé (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Mount Pelé is a still active volcano about 400 000 years old, located north of Martinique. Today dormant, its last volcanic event dates from 1929. It is the highest point of the island, with a summit at 1,397 m.

• Scuba diving at Diamond Rock
This rock a few kilometers from the shore of the bay of the same name, which descends in progressive steps towards the bottom, is the most famous spot of Martinique. There is a beautiful fauna and flora and beautiful games of light.

• Get your hands on the treasure bay by catamaran
This navigation along the coast of the peninsula of Caravelle, towards the Bay of the Treasury, is part of an ecotourism approach by discovering this exceptional but fragile natural environment and makes travelers aware of its protection.

• Take his mask and his snorkel towards the tip of Borgnese
Halfway along the coastal road that connects Sainte-Luce and Marin, there is the Pointe Borgnèse. The place is charming, but it is under water that hide its real treasures. Seabed gently sloping and very accessible to all, to discover the richness of the seabed of the island.

• See thousands of species of plants and tropical flowers at Balata Botanical Garden
Ten kilometers from Fort-de-France is the most beautiful botanical garden of the island, which is due to Jean Philippe Thorze horticulturist and landscape designer, who decided in 1982 to create this park with no less than 3 000 species of Exotic plants and flowers imported from tropical regions of the world ...

• Become an expert on banana growing in Belfort housing
If you want to know everything about the banana of Martinique, the visit of the Belfort house and its banana plantation will fill you. The journey is on board a small train for the happiness of young and old!

• Adventure in the cave with bats
Away from the major tourist resorts of southern Martinique, Anses d'Arlets have kept an authentic charm. This is the starting point to visit the cave with bats, a cavity at water level and accessible by kayak which hosts a large colony of bats.

• Follow the "Route de la Trace" in the heart of the rainforest
The wild and lush nature of this road commands admiration. There are many species of flowers, giant trees dripping with vines, multiple birds, gullies, rivers and many turns over 29 kilometers. To avoid night ...

Getting to Martinique