With its exotic mix of French and Creole heritage, a lush volcanic landscape, gorgeous white-sand beaches, haute couture shopping, vibrant nightlife and a range of excellent accommodation options, Martinique offers all the ingredients you need for a unique honeymoon in the Caribbean.
The cultural heart of the French Antilles, Martinique’s verdant terrain is perfect for hiking and mountain climbing, especially in the mountainous northern part of the island.
In the south, rolling green hills descend to a rugged coastline indented with large bays and secluded coves fringed by white-sand beaches. The surrounding crystalline waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling adventures.
Martinique’s coastline is indented with large bays and secluded coves fringed by white-sand beaches – perfect for a beach honeymoon.
The southern coast of Martinique offers some of the island’s best white-sand beaches, while the northern coast provides black-sand beaches, including…
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this 9km-long, palm-fringed, white-sand beach that faces a wide bay framed by steeply rising green hills.
Take a picnic or enjoy lunch and cold drinks on the beachfront at Diamant les Bains Hotel. Then take an excursion across the bay to nearby Diamond Rock Island, a popular dive site.
There are no facilities on Diamond Beach, which lies on the southwest coast of Martinique.
Unwind on the soft white sands of this 1.6km-long palm-fringed beach that shelves into calm turquoise waters just perfect for families with small children. The small bay is framed by rocky headlands.
Facilities include showers and food vendors. Les Salines is located on the south coast, a short drive south of Ste-Anne.
Unwind on this gorgeous palm-fringed, white-sand beach that shelves into calm shallow waters that are good for swimming, windsurfing and water skiing.
Facilities including umbrellas, sun loungers, toilets and showers are available for a small fee; nearby Club Med offers a day pass to use their facilities. Pointe du Marin is located just north of Ste-Anne.
Relax on the palm-fringed white sands of this 250m-long beach that sits between a public park and the calm turquoise waters of a sheltered bay.
Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms and shady sea grape trees. The beach is located on the south coast near the town of Ste-Luce.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe or surf on this unspoiled beach that lies on the rugged north coast of the Caravelle Peninsula on the east coast of Martinique.
Catch a wave or get a refresher course at the beachfront surf school. You will need to take your own food and drinks, as there are no facilities here.
Unwind on the golden sands of this 300m-long palm-fringed beach that faces a turquoise bay often filled with anchored yachts.
Facilities include umbrellas and sun loungers for hire from the beachfront hotels.
Go swimming or snorkelling in the clear waters then enjoy a tasty lunch and cold drink at one of the many beachside restaurants.
Anse Mitan is located just south of the Pointe du Bout, a short drive west of Les Trois-Ilets.
Explore the island’s mountainous region by hire car, driving from Fort-de-France to St Pierre on the Caribbean coast or via Morne Rouge to Brasse-Point or Le Lorrain on the Atlantic coast.
Stop to hike rainforest trails loaded with colourful hibiscus and poinsettia flowers, admire tumbling cascades and hike the slopes of Mont Pelée (1397m), Martinique’s dormant volcano, which last erupted in 1902.
Once known as Madinina (‘island of flowers’) by the native population of Arawak and Carib Indians, Martinique is covered with lush forest, colourful native plants and numerous sugar, palm, banana and pineapple plantations.
In the bustling capital of Fort-de-France, stroll wide palm-lined boulevards and explore steep and narrow alleyways lined with colourful buildings adorned with flower-filled wrought-iron balconies. The city sprawls up steep green hills overlooking a large bay.
Ponder the large statue of Napoleon’s Empress Josephine, a native of Martinique, which stands in the centre of La Savanne, a large garden surrounded by cafés in the heart of the city.
Pop into the Cathedral of St Louis, a late 17th century cathedral featuring a Roman-style bell tower then stroll the ramparts of Fort St Luis, which stands guard overlooking the busy port.
See traditionally dressed singers, musicians and dancers bring the island’s history to life at the Les Grands Ballets Martiniquais, with vibrant choreographed mazurka and exotic beguine dances.
To learn more about the island’s ancient history, visit the Musée Departemental d'Archeologie et de Prehistoire de la Martinique.
See the remains of St Pierre, known as the ‘Paris of the West Indies’ before its destruction by the eruption of Mont Pélee in 1902; the Musée Volcanologique contains an exhibit that reveals the story of the disaster.
Discover mementos of Empress Josephine at her former home, La Pagerie near Trois-Îlets. At the Centre d’Art Paul Gauguin, set in the restored plantation of Leyritz near Le Carbet, see an exhibition of the artist’s work, created while he lived in Martinique.
Savour delicious Creole cuisine, sample the island’s rum (considered by many to be the best in the world) at a local bar or in one of the many fine distilleries, and sway to the distinctive beat of the zouk – a musical beat unique to the French West Indies.
More things to do in Martinique…
Martinique offers a range of excellent honeymoon accommodation options to suit all budgets, including the island’s most exclusive hotel, the Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa, which sits on a palm-fringed beachfront, and the following…
La Suite Villa
Location: Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD325 per room
Description: Offering outdoor pool and a restaurant, La Suite Villa is located in Les Trois-Îlets. Free WiFi access is available.
Rooms here will provide you with a flat-screen TV, air conditioner. Private bathrooms also come with a shower. Suites include a balcony with a hot tub and views of the bay. La Suite Villa also offers American-style breakfast. At La Suite Villa you will find a garden, a terrace and a bar. Some activities the property offers include painting and themed-night gathering. Martinica Aimé Césaire International Airport is 35 minutes’ drive away. La Pointe du Bout Beach is 700 metres from La Suite Villa and the property offers free parking.
Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa
Location: Le François, Martinique
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD284 per room
Description: Located in the charming town of Le Francois, this beachfront resort and spa features beautiful sandy beaches and a lush tropical environment. Spacious suites boast Asian décor and a plasma TV. A water sports facility offers kayaking, diving and windsurfing. Guests can work out in the state-of-the-art gym or take a refreshing swim in the spacious pool at Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa. Satellite TV with a CD/DVD player is available in every suite. Bright, tropical colors, exotic woods and hemp fabrics are featured. Guests can read a book from the resort's library, rent a movie from the DVD library or listen to steel-band live music. The casual lounge Cohi-bar features a cigar cellar and 100 vintage rums. Le Belém restaurant offers fusion cuisine while Creole dishes and lobster can be found at Le Campêche.
Hotel Bakoua Martinique
Location: Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD226 per room
Description: In a former colonial residence, Hotel Bakoua Martinique has a beautiful tropical garden which leads onto a small sandy beach. It has an outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court. All rooms at Bakoua Martinique Hotel have a TV, safe and private bathroom with shower. There is a gift shop at the hotel and you can enjoy windsurfing or fishing at the nearby beaches. Empress Josephine Golf Course is about a 10-minute drive away. Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport is just a 30-minute drive away.
Simon Hotel
Location: Fort-de-France, Martinique
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD207 per room
Description: Overlooking Fort de France's city Simon Hotel offers comfortable facilities such as a 24-hour front desk. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV. Each room has a private bathroom. Simon Hotel features free WiFi throughout the property. Le Bistrot des Flamands serve a light, fresh and sophisticated cuisine signed up by Chef Marcel Ravin. At the Bolibar lounge bar you can enjoy cocktails, tapas, snacks or bar food. The terrace features panoramic views over the city and Fort de France's bay. Guests at the hotel can access to the Beinsport activities and facilities. The hotel also offers car hire. Les Trois-Îlets is 9 km from Simon Hotel, while Le Diamant is 16 km from the property. Le Lamentin Airport is 8 km away.
Hotel La Pagerie
Location: Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD183 per room
Description: Decorated in bright colors, this hotel in Trois Ilets is 3 miles from Empress Josephine Golf Course. The hotel features Le Pitaya restaurant, outdoor pool and spacious rooms with a flat-screen satellite TV. Wi-Fi access is provided in all guest rooms at Hotel La Pagerie. Use of kitchenettes is available for a fee, upon request and subject to availability. The game room includes a pool table and ping-pong. A business center is also available. Services available at La Pagerie include a 24-hour front desk with concierge and tour information. Centre Martiniquais d’Action Culturelle is 3 miles from the hotel. Lamentin Airport is 4 miles by boat and 12 miles by car.
The best time to visit Martinique is during February through April, when you can expect the least amount of rainfall.
However, anytime from December through April during the cooler, dry season is good, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 22°°C (71°F) to a high of 29°C (85°F).
Martinique experiences a hot and humid tropical climate year-round, with a relatively cool, dry season from January to mid-April, and a hot, humid and rainy season from early-June through November.
For more climate info: Martinique Weather Guide…
Martinique is part of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean, and is located about 450km (280mi) northeast of the coast of South America and about 700km (435mi) southeast of the Dominican Republic.
It is directly north of St. Lucia, northwest of Barbados, south of Dominica and southeast of Cuba and Hispaniola.
A French territory since 1635, Martinique's western shore faces the Caribbean Sea, while its eastern shore edges the more turbulent Atlantic Ocean.
Martinique is the 3rd largest island in the Lesser Antilles after Trinidad and Guadeloupe. It stretches 70km (43mi) in length and 30km (19mi) in width.
The most convenient route to Martinique is to fly into Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF), which is located Le Lamentin, a suburb of the capital, Fort-de-France.
By air, Martinique’s international airport receives daily flights from North America, Europe and several Caribbean nations.
By sea, frequent high-speed catamarans run to and from Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Dominica. Martinique’s Fort-de-France is a favourite port of call for several cruise ships.
More information on how to get to Martinique…
Hiring a car is the best way to get around and experience the natural beauty of Martinique.
The road system in Martinique is well developed and surfaced. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road
There are also shuttle boats every 30 minutes from Fort-de-France to Pointe du Bout and Trois Îlets.
More about getting around Martinique…
Latest update: Martinique: 7 July, 2022
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