Destination guide
French Caribbean reefs, wrecks and volcano views in one compact island
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Overview
Martinique blends French-Caribbean culture with serious underwater variety. Warm water around 27°C to 29°C and year round trade winds keep conditions comfortable, while the leeward coast offers calm reefs, dramatic pinnacles like Rocher du Diamant and historic wrecks under Mount Pelee at Saint-Pierre. Non divers get rainforest hikes, golden beaches and rum distilleries within short drives of the main dive hubs at Anses d'Arlet, Trois Ilets, Le Marin and Fort de France.
Martinique is a full service French department with reliable health care, good roads and European style shops, but it still feels distinctly Caribbean in its music, food and village life. Divers base themselves on the Caribbean west coast, where steep green hills drop into bays lined with small fishing boats and moored dive skiffs. Offshore, volcanic rocks and lava flows form walls, swim throughs and sheltered gardens that suit everyone from new Open Water divers to wreck and deep enthusiasts.
Highlights
Field notes from guides and contributors on what stands out immediately.
Plan at least one day that mixes a morning wreck dive or snorkel in the Bay of Saint-Pierre with an afternoon visit to the Frank A. Perret museum and the town's ruins. Linking underwater metal and coral with the stories and photographs from 1902 gives unique context to every subsequent dive on the north coast.
If the forecast offers a calm, low swell day during your stay, prioritize a dive at Rocher du Diamant. Weather can easily shut the site down for days at a time, and its caves, arches and sheer walls are true signature experiences for Martinique. Book early in the trip to leave room for weather rescheduling.
Stay on the beach at Anses d'Arlet after your afternoon snorkel or dive. As the sun drops behind moored fishing boats and the church lights come on at the end of the pier, the whole bay glows, and you can often spot turtles surfacing in the fading light.
Schedule distillery visits such as Habitation Clement or Depaz for late in the trip, or for full no dive days, so you can enjoy tastings without worrying about no alcohol before or after dives. Many estates have beautiful grounds and art installations, making them worthwhile even for non drinkers.
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