The island that is called flower island charms with its activities, its dream villas, its luxuriant nature and its warm population. In 2022, the TV show Occupation Double was filmed on the island.
A rich past shared between native peoples of South America and the arrival of the French in 1635, the heritage of Martinique is as diversified as its landscapes and inhabitants.
When travelling to this island made of mountains, mangroves and tropical forests, here is what you should not miss.
Martinique has more than 20 professional and accredited dive centers and hundreds of well-protected sites for divers of all levels.
With temperatures ranging from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, Martinique’s waters offer colorful marine life: hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, barracudas and schools of tropical fish, pristine coral reefs, gigantic sea sponges and gorgonian sea fans.
You can also dive into the wrecks of Saint-Pierre, boats that were wrecked during the eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902.
The coastline of Martinique is accessible everywhere, so there is no shortage of wildly beautiful beaches open to the public all year round. The more sporty will enjoy surfing, kayaking, kite surfing, windsurfing and flyboarding.
For long stretches of white sand bathed by calm blue waters, head for the Caribbean coast. The Atlantic coast offers a host of secluded palm-fringed bays, while the north coast features strips of black volcanic sand against a backdrop of verdant mountains.
Here are some of Martinique’s most beautiful beaches: Grande Anse des Salines in Saint-Anne (white sand), Pointe Marin beach (blonde sand) and Anse Noire in Les Anses d’Arlet (volcanic sand).
Through the Martinique cuisine, you will find African, Indian and French influences. On the menu:
You’ll also enjoy the quintessentialMartiniquan appetizer: acra de morue, as well as curry-based dishes such as chicken colombo, not to mention the culinary savoir-faire of France.
For sweet tooths, you have to try the coconut blancmange and the delicious homemade fruit sorbets and ice creams.
While hiking, you can discover the beauties of the island in all its forms. There are more than 250 kilometers of trails that connect the rugged coastline, tropical forests and misty mountains. And since two thirds of the island is covered by protected parks, the territory is wonderfully preserved.
The Jardin de Balata, near Fort-de-France, and the Domaine d’Émeraude, near the northern town of Le Morne-Rouge, are two vast parks to discover, with beautiful landscaped gardens and forests where you can admire native plants and trees.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also discover the mangrove forests by kayak or canoe, practice cycling, horseback riding and bird watching.
A species of toxic tree is present in Martinique: the Mancenillier or also called “the tree of death”. You will see it marked with a paint stroke on its trunk in order t, alsot.
To experience a typical atmosphere in Fort-de-France, don’t miss the large covered market, one of the most dynamic markets in the Caribbean, where fruits, flowers and souvenirs are sold.
To take a cultural bath, take the time to admire the beautiful murals decorating the capital’s streets.
Fort-de-France has two ports of call. The two terminals at Pointe Simon and Les Tourelles are located within minutes of the city’s main attractions. On a day trip, take one of the ferries from the bay of Fort-de-France to the coastal town of Les Trois-Îlets for lunch at a seaside restaurant.
Did you know that Martinique is recognized as the rum capital of the world? Its agricultural rums benefit from the prestigious appellation of controlled origin (AOC). They stand out thanks to the unique production technique of rhum agricole: freshly pressed juice from locally grown sugar cane is fermented and distilled before being rested or aged in oak barrels.
To discover them, follow the Route des Grands Rhums which leads to the eleven distilleries of the island.
The Carnival is undoubtedly the most famous festival in Martinique. It’s a great opportunity to meet the local population. The festivities begin in January, with parades every weekend throughout the island. They end at the end of February or March with four days of parades, celebrations and shows: Dimanche Gras, Lundi Gras, Mardi gras and Mercredi des Cendres.
The month of May is also particularly festive since the Martiniqueans commemorate the eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902 as part of the Mai de Saint-Pierre. This event brings together a range of music, dance and theatre performances.
In the summer, the Tour des Yoles is a colorful competition not to be missed. Boats known as round skiffs participate in a race around the island, in front of thousands of spectators on the shore and on board the catamarans.
As you know, we love to share books from our partner, Ulysses Guides. And on Martinique, we can say that they offer a whole bunch! To order online or to download, take advantage of it and get inspired.
To save money, here are a few tips for traveling to Martinique using points.
First, when you travel with Air Canada, which offers direct flights from Montreal to Fort-de-France, you can use your Aeroplan points. And to earn Aeroplan Points, here are several recommended credit cards:
Martinique offers its visitors a vast choice of accommodation. You can book them through the booking.com platform. Here are some good addresses to look at. Again, your points can be used to save money, I take you back to our article on the booking.com loyalty program!
If you prefer a rental with Airbnb or VRBO, don’t forget that you can use travel points on your apartment or house rentals.
Here are the best cards to use in this case:
Want to discover Martinique from the sea? The Comité martiniquais du tourisme (Martinique tourism board) has created an interactive map showing all the land-based facilities available from anchorages.
As you can see, the island of Martinique has many resources to help you have an excellent vacation. Let us know what you think on our Facebook group!
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