QUICK JUMP TO: Heritage / Activities for the adventurer / Hiking & exploring
Top Things To Do
Rugged mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and forests, and an active volcano Mount Pelée make of Martinique the perfect destination for nature lovers. Walking trails of various length and difficulty take you on an exploration of the island's many beauties, whilst adrenaline junkies will love mixing a hike with some exciting canyoning.
Around the island, the glittery white, grey and black beaches offer picturesque relaxation havens or thrilling watersport playgrounds, with stimulating surfing spots, as well as stunning snorkelling and diving sites, attracting waves and wrecks seekers from around the world. Back on the land, explore Martinique's rich heritage, found in its old plantation estates, distilleries and châteaux, its cities' museums and gardens, and in the poignant ruins of the old capital, Saint Pierre, destroyed by Mount Pelée's 1902 eruption.
FORT DE FRANCE
Wander the streets of the island's capital, a safe and friendly place to discover by yourself or by taking one of the city's many walking tours. For stunning architecture, head to the Schoelcher Library, a building designed by Henri Picq and that was shipped in pieces from France in 1893, or admire the town's imposing namesake fort, a fully active military base closed to tours.
TROIS ILETS
Only a cheap ferry ride away from Fort de France, this place might be smaller than the capital but still has a lot to offer: golf, casinos, bars, water sports, shopping, and decent dining, most amenities are situated a short stroll away from hotelsand resorts, making this tiny marina village Martinique's ideal holiday spot.
TOUR DE MARTINIQUE DES YOLES RONDES
Generally taking place at the beginning of August, this festivals is considered by many locals as one of the highlights of the Martinican social calendar. Although centred around a boat race, the festival is pretty much a full on carnival at sea and a great fête composed of a multitude of exciting community and eco-preservation events.
ST PIERRE
Once the prolific capital of Martinique, St Pierre used to be described by many as the Paris of the Caribbean. However, a violent eruption of the Mount Pelée volcano in 1902 destroyed the best part of the city along with all but one of its 20 000 inhabitants, an inmate in his prison cell. The cell is now part of a tour of the ruins where tourists can explore the lost streets, buildings, including the shell of the Grand Theatre, of a once fruitful city now often described as the Pompeii of the Caribbean.
“ ”
heritage
FABRIQUE DE MANIOC ET DE CASSAVES
Located in Quartier Vallon, the Cassava Hut takes visitors through the process involved in the transformation of cassava into flour, and shows the making of local delicacy such as kassavs (large pancakes made of cassava flour) or savage avocado (typical meal made with cassava flour and avocado).
JARDIN DE BONNEVILLE
Set over just under 4 acres, these gardens are a colourful and aromatic display of local flora, and feature various fruit trees, flowers and plants such as kumquat, sapote, lime, Surinam cherry, granadilla, as well as heliconias, ginger, and wild plaintain.
ZOO DE MARTINIQUE & HABITATION LATOUCHE
Located in le Carbet, the island's zoo is set in Martinique's oldest estate, the Habitation Latouche. Visitors can explore the gardens set around the estate's main property and vestiges of the old manioc, indigo, sugar and rum factories, dating back to the 17th century and which is now home to jaguars, monkeys, racoons, pumas, parrots, and other tropical animals.
JARDIN DE BALATA
Created by horticulturalist and landscape artist Jean-Philippe Thoze in 1982, these gardens aim to bring back to life the childhood memories of its owner in his grandparents' Creole house. Featuring a collection of flora from around the world and the typical Creole architecture of the family home.
LA SAVANE DES ESCLAVES
In Les Trois-Ilets, this park recreates a typical 1800s village and living conditions of plantation slaves, and is a chance to delve into the island's history and heritage.
RUM DISTILLERIES
One cannot complete a visit to Martinique without experiencing what makes the agricultural lifeblood of the island: rum! Martinique is renowned for its long tradition of sugar cane rum, and still counts a dozen of fully operating distilleries around the island.
DOMAINE FONDS SAINT JACQUES
Located in Sainte-Marie, this 17th century sugar plantation estate has been preserved and refurbished into a cultural centre where various events are held, all supporting the preservation of the local heritage and social growth.
MOULIN DE VAL D'OR
This mill, although dismantled after the abolition, was refurbished to bear witness of the slave labour used during the island's 18th and 19th century sugar plantation era.
“ ”
activities for the adventurer
HORSEBACK RIDING
A fun way to discover the Martinique countryside, these horseback riding tours are offered by a few companies and are opened to novices as well as experienced riders.
SURFING
Dramatic backdrop, impressive waves and great weather make Martinique a surf lover's paradise. Around 14 recommended surfing spots are dotted around the island, with the most thrilling ones being located along the Atlantic coast to the North, where you'll find the best waves.
SURFING
Some waves as big as 3 meters high can often be seen at Anse Couleuvre, a fast and strong tubular with shallow bed forming some of the island's best waves, while the long waves at the Basse Pointe port entrance and high cliffs create a point break that is sure to get your adrenalin pumping!
CANYONING
A fun and unusual way to discover the island at its heart, whilst making friends and keeping fit, these tours generally start and finish with a short to medium hike, and peaking with an abseil down a stunning waterfall.
DIVING
Some waves as big as 3 meters high can often be seen at Anse Couleuvre, a fast and strong tubular with shallow bed forming some of the island's best waves, while the long waves at the Basse Pointe port entrance and high cliffs create a point break that is sure to get your adrenalin pumping!
KAYAKING
Various eco-tours around the island offer the opportunity to explore the hidden mangroves and bays, such as in Trois Ilets or Back Bay, where you'll be able to hear and see some of the local wildlife in its natural habitat.
DIVING
There are at least 21 diving spots in Martinique with most of them being located on the western coast of the island. At the North, divers will find the famous wrecks of Saint-Pierre, one of the world's most famous underwater sanctuaries boasting more than 10 wrecks between 10 and 85 metres of water.
“ ”
hiking & exploring
HIKING
Nature lovers will find many wildlife spots to wander around the island, such as the Forêt de Montravail, Forêt Vatable, where hiking through the forest takes you through Martinique's lush vegetation, sparkling waters, secluded beaches, or majestic summits.
CRETE DU COURNAN & MORNE JACOB
A 3 hours long, medium level hike from Morne-Rouge, and winding through farming lands to then cross the François river before hiking the forest up the Crête du Cournan. The peak of this trail is at Morne Piquionne.
DIDER - ABSALON
An easy, hour long hike linking the Dider fountain to the Absalon thermal station, crossing lush forest and sparkling river Dumauzé.
MOUNT PELEE
Culminating at 1397 metres, Mount Pelée is Martinique's highest point and, although it may appear peaceful, the volcano that sleeps at its heart is still very much active, as proven by the hot springs found on its western side. The last eruption occurred in 1929, and the volcanic activity is continuously monitored by the Morne des Cadets Observatory.
CASCADE AN BA SO
An easy hour-long hike of around 2 kilometres in Fond lahayé, winding through beautiful vegetation and leading you to a beautiful waterfall. Beware of the snakes.
ILET CHEVALIER
An easy 2 hours hike exploring the islet's flora and fauna, and its beautiful white sandy beaches lined with turquoise waters. Beautiful views of the Atlantic and of the mainland, 500 metres away. Access to the islet is by boat or kayak.
LA CASCADE COULEUVRE
A medium-level hike of 1.5 hours leading to the scenic Couleuvre waterfall.
ILET SAINTE-MARIE ET SON TOMBOLO
A stretch of sand linking Petite Anse to Sainte Marie, and that appears from November to April, when it disappears again and leave the Petite Anse natural reserve to the nesting birds during Spring. A phenomenon resulting from the climatic influence of Bermuda's anticyclone.
LE MORNE LARCHER
A 3 hours long, medium level hike going from Petite Anse to Anse Cafard, and offering beautiful views of Morne Jacqueline and Morne Larcher, amongst other sites such as Salines, Diamant, and Grande Anse.
CANAL DE BEAUREGARD
An easy trail taking you through the 18th century canal originally built to irrigate the surrounding plantations, mixing both history and beautiful views of the area, including the Carbet river and the private plantations Anthurium, Alpinias, Roses de Porcelaine, and Oiseaux de Paradis. 1.5 hour one way.
POINT DE VUE DU MORNE GOMMIER
In le Marin, this organisation offers a variety of trails ranging from 1 hour to 5 hours, visiting the area's various points of interests, including the old water reserve, local flora and fauna, and the beautiful 360o panoramic view at the top of Morne Gommier.
COEUR BOULIKI
With just under 4,000 acres of protected tropical forest, this area is the island's largest stretch of vegetation and is crossed by many little rivers, making it a great spot for walks and refreshing picnics under the canopies.
“ ”