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The one known as the island of flowers charms visitors with its activities, dream villas, lush nature, and warm population. In 2022, the show Occupation Double was also filmed on the island.
With a past shared between the indigenous peoples of South America and the arrival of the French in 1635, Martinique’s heritage is as diverse as its landscapes and its people.
When traveling to this island of mountains, mangroves, and tropical forests, here is what you shouldn’t miss.
Martinique has more than 20 professional and accredited diving 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, giant sea sponges and sea fans.
You can also dive to the Saint-Pierre shipwrecks, boats that sank during the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902.
The Martinican coastline is accessible everywhere, so there is no shortage of beaches with wild beauty, and they are open to the public all year round. The more athletic can enjoy surfing, kayaking, kite surfing, windsurfing, and flyboarding.
For long stretches of white sand bathed by calm blue waters, head to the Caribbean coast. The Atlantic coast offers many secluded palm-fringed bays, while the north coast features strips of black volcanic sand set against a backdrop of green 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 will also taste the quintessential Martinican appetizer: cod acra, as well as curry-based dishes like chicken colombo, not to mention France’s culinary expertise.
For those with a sweet tooth, you must try the coconut blancmange and the delicious artisanal fruit sorbets and ice creams.
While hiking, you can discover the island’s beauty in all its forms. More than 250 kilometers of trails 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 Balata Garden, near Fort-de-France, and the Emerald Estate, near the northern town of Le Morne-Rouge, are two vast parks to discover, home to superb landscaped gardens and forests where you can admire native plants and trees.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the mangrove forests by kayak or canoe, or enjoy cycling, horseback riding, and bird watching.
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 of Pointe Simon and Tourelles are located just minutes from the city’s main attractions. On a day trip, take one of the ferries that connect Fort-de-France Bay to the coastal town of 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 d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). They stand out thanks to the unique production technique of rhum agricole: freshly pressed juice from locally grown sugarcane 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 island’s eleven distilleries.
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 yoles rondes take part in a race around the island, watched by thousands of spectators on the shore and aboard 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.
Martinique is part of France, so the official currency is the euro. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are easy to find in Fort-de-France as well as in tourist areas. Before you leave, check your card’s foreign exchange and foreign ATM withdrawal fees.
As in mainland France, service is generally included on the bill at restaurants and bars. Tipping is therefore not required, but there’s nothing stopping you from leaving a little extra if you enjoyed the service.
Renting a car remains the most practical way to enjoy the island, especially for visiting the beaches, the Rum Route, and the mountainous north. A valid Canadian driver’s licence is accepted.
In Fort-de-France, the Mozaïk bus network serves the urban area, and shared taxis (“TC”) connect several towns across the island at a fixed fare. Shuttle boats also run between Fort-de-France and Les Trois-Îlets.
Canadian tourists are increasingly choosing Martinique: visitor numbers jumped 44.4% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to Insee. They were among the 988,000 visitors welcomed by the island that year. Air Canada and Air Transat share the direct Montreal–Fort-de-France route, with up to 11 flights per week during peak season.
To save money, here are a few tips for traveling to Martinique using points.
First, by traveling with Air Canada, which offers direct flights from Montreal to Fort-de-France, you can use your Aeroplan points. And to earn Aeroplan points, it couldn’t be simpler; 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!
Among these options, Club Med Les Boucaniers regularly appears in our selection of the best Club Med resorts around the world, notably for its beachfront location and its status as a 4-trident village.
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:
For a first one-week stay, here’s a simple way to split your days between beaches, culture, and nature.
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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