Martinique in the Caribbean

Endless fine beaches with lush palm trees and bathtub-warm water, along with exotic plants and the lively atmosphere of the locals. The thought of the Caribbean conjures up many paradise images in our minds. One can easily dream of this place and long to be there. How about Martinique? This beautiful island can offer you all of this. But read on!

The Caribbean is one of those places that many of you certainly want to visit at least once. The thought of vast sandy beaches, unspoiled lush nature, and shimmering waters also simply encourages dreaming. If you long for beaches that could beautifully grace postcards, I have a real gem for you here. The island of Martinique is part of the volcanic chain of the Lesser Antilles and thus belongs to the islands above the wind. It sounds picturesque, and at least as beautiful as it sounds, the island truly is, rivaling its more famous neighboring islands Dominica and St. Lucia.

Martinique belongs, like remarkably many other dream islands in the Caribbean, thanks to its political affiliation to the European Union. To give you a brief overview of the island, here are some important facts.

Martinique is the ultimate Caribbean dream. You realize this especially when you find yourself in the picture-perfect landscape of the island. Tropical palms reach into the sky everywhere, and hummingbirds buzz through the air. Majestic mountain ranges rise behind the mangroves, and the sweet scent of flowers hovers like a veil over the island. As the island features the nearly 1,400-meter-high volcano Montagne Pelée, you have a dreamlike view of the dense canopy of the rainforests that rise above Martinique from most beaches.

While all of Martinique enjoys a tropical climate, the north is wetter and more tropical, while the south appears noticeably drier in comparison. Here, in addition to fine golden sandy beaches waiting to be discovered in secluded bays, you will also find most of the tourist facilities. In the tropical north, alongside the dense rainforests are hidden, small coves with exotic black sand beaches. Rivers and waterfalls rush down from the extinct volcano, while the rainforest at the foot of the hilly landscape awaits your exploration. On the hiking trails, known as the Traces, you can make your way through the thicket. But the east coast of the island is definitely worth a detour too! Here you will find picturesque small islands that lie offshore in the water.

If you want to be active during your stay in Martinique, then trying canyoning on the rivers in the forest is the way to go. It's not only a lot of fun, but you'll also experience the island's nature up close in its finest form.

I particularly enjoyed the hiking tour to Les Gorges de la Falaise. Here, you simply head down into a gorge wearing just swimwear and sturdy shoes. In the gorge itself, the water might reach up to your neck, but that's precisely what makes this tour so wonderfully adventurous. The climbing up and down the steps and ladders is quite easy, making the tour suitable for families with smaller children or older people seeking adventure. At the end of the tour, you'll be rewarded with a view of a roaring waterfall, where you can cool off as well.

Do you want to be really close to nature and enjoy fabulous views? Then check out Airbnb as well. Many accommodations offer you stunning views over the island's landscape and are also quite affordable.

When it comes to the Caribbean, one thing must certainly not be missing: beaches! You will find endless, palm-fringed, fine sandy beaches inviting you to relax and cool off along the nearly 350 kilometers of coastline of Martinique, which boasts plenty of stunning bays. I have, of course, kept an eye out for the most beautiful beach sections so that you can undoubtedly experience the Caribbean dream during your vacation.

You can experience a truly stunning backdrop at this beach. Before you stretches the endless Caribbean Sea with its crystal clear, light blue waters extending to the horizon. Behind you rises the hilly landscape with lush green vegetation.

And as if that weren't fabulous enough, you also find yourself here in a wonderful underwater world. Grab your snorkels and goggles and dive into the sea. It's not uncommon for sea turtles to pass by, which seem to enjoy the bay as well, while big and small starfish gather on the ocean floor. So keep your eyes open. The small bars and restaurants you find here ensure you'll have plenty to eat. It's best to come in the morning or early afternoon so you can enjoy this little paradise all to yourself.

With white powdered sand and warm water, this enchanting beach in the south of the island welcomes you. Many claim it's the most beautiful beach in the entire Caribbean, and one thing I can say for sure: it truly is stunning! The water is usually very calm, inviting you to splash around and relax. Scattered along the beach are several snack shacks that lure you in with delicious, fresh food, providing a well-deserved treat after your swim. Be sure to visit Chez Oliver! Here, you'll find a wide selection of fresh fruits and tasty snacks. Perfect for a hot day at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean!

This exotic gem must definitely be on your list when you are in Martinique. The journey along poorly paved roads is a bit adventurous, and you'll have a small walk before you finally arrive at the beach.

But the effort is worth it, as this is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful black beaches there is. The waves crash on the fine black sand beach, and in the background, palm trees and trees rise high, creating a fabulous contrast. The shade from the trees often protects most of the beach, making it a great place to stay for several hours. The somewhat remote location also means that the cove on the northwest side of the island is rarely overcrowded, but don't expect to find restaurants or toilets here. However, you can use the beach as an excellent starting point for hikes around Montagne Pelée. So pack sturdy shoes and head into the green! You'll encounter wonderful waterfalls.

The Fonds Blancs are not a beach but natural pools within the sea, where the shallow water heats up to about 28 degrees Celsius. You can quickly reach these during a tour with a small boat from the mainland. The temperature difference between the pool and the surrounding water can be quite remarkable on some days. So dive into the waves and test it out for yourself!

Although Martinique offers so much with its incredible nature, there are still a few sights on the island that you should not miss. Unfortunately, there is currently no good public transportation; only a few buses run through the towns. If you're looking to experience more than just the private beach of your hotel, you should definitely organize a rental car in the capital Fort-de-France. With this, you can not only explore the small hidden bays but also discover some interesting highlights of the island. Thanks to funding from France, the infrastructure with the roads is well-developed, though you will still find gravel roads in the remote areas.

This garden is definitely a must if you are in Martinique. While you will be surrounded by incredible nature during your stay on the island, here you can experience and marvel at the diversity of species even better.

The various tropical trees grow tall, and colorful flower beds glow brightly in the most colorful hues. It becomes apparent just how many different species the island's flora hosts. Colorful shrubs and a variety of flowers bathe the island in a unique display of colors throughout the year. No wonder it was named Madinina, the flower island, in the language of the indigenous people. The entrance fee of €13.50 is a bit steep, but in my opinion, it's definitely worth it. If you haven't spotted a hummingbird yet, you are sure to see one of the little birds here.

The beautiful island is not only known for its unique nature and delicious coconuts but also for something else: Caribbean rum. Not only do the residents appreciate the high-quality, high-proof alcohol, but vacationers do as well, which is why a tour of one of the many rum distilleries is a must. Especially the JM Distillery, nestled in lush nature, is one you shouldn't miss. It's located in the northeast of the island, and besides a taste or two you can enjoy, you'll also get to admire the large garden with its tropical plants.

I believe that when visiting a new destination, one should always inform themselves about the background and history of the place, especially when it is as impactful as it is in Martinique. Within the open-air museum La Savane des Esclaves, you can experience the history and lifestyle of slaves during the time of colonization. As you can see, the island's dark history is very present. Therefore, it's even more important to educate yourself about it locally and gain fascinating insights.

If you are already out and about in your car, you might come across this monument. These stone statues are meant to commemorate the slaves who lost their lives here in a shipwreck because they were chained and therefore could not save themselves. A truly sad past shapes the island. By the way, from the monument, you have a wonderful view over the bay. It's really too beautiful to house such a tragedy.

Although you can also find the French influence in the food of Martinique, I would still advise against only eating European food on the island. Just hearing about the exotic offerings of Caribbean cuisine almost makes it seem silly not to indulge in these delicacies. Creole cuisine is an interesting mix of Indian, African, and indigenous elements. The dishes are just as exotic as the mix sounds. The menu almost always features freshly caught fish and seafood from the Caribbean Sea, along with plenty of heavenly sweet fruits and vegetables from local gardens and plantations. Sweet potatoes, plantains, and breadfruit can almost always be found on the plates. In interesting combinations, these are prepared with freshly picked fruits and enhanced with bold spices. For dessert or as a snack in between, there are, as you might have guessed, fruits of all kinds. Enjoy your meal!

If you want to experience authentic Caribbean cuisine, be sure to visit Le Petibonum. This beachfront restaurant is run by Guy Ferdinand, who is already a bit of a celebrity in Martinique. You should not miss his rum tasting!

From Europe, you can reach Le Lamentin Airport in Martinique in about eight to nine hours of flight time. The island enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round, and the water is always inviting for a swim. However, since the island is in the hurricane belt, tropical storms can occur between June and November, although severe hurricanes are rare. I recommend flying to the island from December to April to be on the safe side and to guarantee the best Caribbean weather. Your entry to the island is also straightforward, as you only need your ID card. So what are you waiting for? Martinique is calling you!