What to see in Martinique: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Martinique: 10 must-see destinations, from Mount Pelée to Balata Garden. Predominantly natural and beach; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Natural(4)
Climb the L'Aileron trail to the summit of the 1,397-meter volcano that destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902, passing between mountain turnips and jagged lava ridges. From Le Chinois, take in the Caribbean and the Atlantic at the same time, watch the fumaroles at the crater, and understand why this eruption gave birth to modern volcanology. It's Martinique's flagship hike — start early.
Explore the protected peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, where the 17th-century Château Dubuc, the Caravelle lighthouse, mangroves, and dry-forest coves cluster together. Hike the coastal trail to the lighthouse among cacti and cocoplums, watch frigatebirds and pelicans at the salt ponds, and swim in the hidden coves of the north coast. It's the island's natural escape in the east.
Come to the island's northernmost fishing village, where the Pelée range drops into the sea in cliffs and the black volcanic-sand beach is the domain of turtles and pelicans. Eat the catch of the day at the seafront eateries, walk to the point among twisted coconut palms, and watch the currents of the Dominica Channel. This is rural Martinique at the edge of the map.
Enter the river canyon in the south of the island, where the Falaise River drops between fern-covered basalt walls, with the final waterfall a short rope swing away. Follow the trail of stairs and walkways with your feet in the water, swim under the main falls, and discover the clear natural pools. It's the locals' favorite secret canyon in the south.
Beach(2)
Stretch out under the coconut palms of the island's most celebrated beach: a kilometer-and-a-half arc of white sand and calm turquoise water at the southern tip. Swim among the sea grapes, rent an umbrella and lounger from the local stalls, eat accras and cold coconuts from the food carts, and walk out to Pointe des Salines at sunset. It's Martinique's best stretch of sand, hands down.
Paddle a sea kayak at sunset from Anse Dufour's black-sand cove, weaving through mangroves, with bottlenose dolphins escorting the kayaks across the bay. Watch turtles grazing the coastal seagrass beds, have dinner in the fishing village, and admire the lights of Fort-de-France across the bay. It's the most memorable outing on the water near the capital.
Natural Park(1)
Explore the most beautiful botanical gardens in the Caribbean: 3,000 tropical species, hanging walkways among mahogany trees, giant water lilies, and hummingbirds that land a meter from your hand. Walk the heliconia and bromeliad circuit around Jean-Philippe Thoze's Creole mansion, climb to the viewpoint over the Pitons du Carbet, and stay until closing time to see the royal palms silhouetted against the light. It's the perfect botanical stop between the capital and the volcano.
Monument(1)
Walk through the ruins of what was once the Paris of the Caribbean before the 1902 nuée ardente erased it in three minutes: the stone theater, the Cyparis dungeon that survived, the walls of the town center. Visit the Frank Perret Volcanological Museum to see the melted clocks stopped at 7:52, then climb up to the viewpoint over the bay. It's the most moving Pompeii of the Caribbean.
Intangible Heritage(1)
Visit the distillery-museum of Martinique's most prestigious rhum agricole, set between the restored Creole great house and the warehouses where the rum that fueled the island's festivals still matures. Tour the contemporary art exhibition, the barrel cellar, and the cane fields, then sample the selection of aged rums in the shop. It's the gateway to ti'punch culture.
Region(1)
Drive the historic 30-kilometer road that crosses the rainforest of the Pitons du Carbet amid giant ferns, mahogany trees, and lookout points over the valleys. Stop at the Sacré-Cœur de Balata, the Absalon thermal baths, and the botanical garden, before emerging at the foothills of Mount Pelée. It's the most beautiful scenic drive in the Lesser Antilles.
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