The Best Outdoor Activities in Martinique

Nicknamed the "Island of Flowers", Martinique is a French overseas department in the Caribbean. The island is rich in Creole culinary traditions and has a particularly interesting cultural heritage.

With an average year-round temperature of 26°C and a rich and varied natural heritage - warm seas, white sandy beaches, mountains and volcanoes - Martinique is a giant playground for outdoor activities. And the people of Martinique have understood this, showcasing this heritage through a wide range of sporting activities such as canyoning, kitesurfing, scuba diving and sea kayaking.

As is often the case in the West Indies, the island is divided into a windward coast and a leeward coast. So, because of the powerful trade winds that blow regularly, there are two radically different atmospheres on the island. Similarly, Martinique is divided between the rugged massif of Mount Pelée to the north and the white sandy beaches to the south.

In this article, you'll find a variety of activities to help you discover Martinique and its lush natural surroundings! Which do you think is the island's most popular activity? Without spoiling too much, we'd say it's number 5 on our list... That said, we hope you enjoy discovering the best outdoor activities in Martinique!

#1 : Jet Ski tour in Sainte-Luce

Solo, with family or friends, take a breath of fresh air aboard a powerful jet ski to discover the Isle of Flowers. Whether you're on an excursion or just having fun in the water, playing with speed or doing tricks, the jet is a great way to see the island from the water. You don't need a boat licence or previous jet-skiing experience for this fun, thrilling activity, as you'll be accompanied by a professional instructor.

Jet ski excursions in Martinique are almost always organised on the leeward coast, i.e. the south-west of the island, which is less exposed to the wind. The three main departure points are Sainte-Luce (Gros Raisins), Les Trois-Ilets and Le Carbet. While an introductory jet ski course takes 20 to 30 minutes to learn how to handle the vehicle and ride along the coast, a jet ski tour takes 45 minutes to 3 hours to discover wild coves, sandy beaches and impressive cliffs.

This is the case on a jet ski trip to Sainte-Luce, the most southerly of the three spots suggested above. Alone or in pairs on a jet ski, you can explore the island of flowers from the water. The 3-hour tour takes you first from Gros Raisins beach in Sainte-Luce to Asne des Trois Rivières and Asne du Marigot, from where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of Montagne Pelée, and then on to Grande Terre and Pointe des Salines. The latter is at the southern tip of the island, with its heavenly beaches of coconut palms and white sand.

#2: Tropical canyoning in the Pitons du Carbet

As well as heavenly beaches, the island is blessed with a lush, tropical landscape. One of the best outdoor activities in Martinique for discovering these tropical forests is undoubtedly canyoning. Jumps, abseils and slides take you through the forest and canyons in a fun and adventurous way.

Martinique's canyons are mainly located on the slopes of the Piton du Carbet, in the west of the island. From beginner to experienced, you're bound to find a canyon to suit your level.

• Canyoning for the first time: the Absalon, Agathe and Mitan canyons and the Gendarme are the adventure for you. A discovery canyoning trip normally takes no more than half a day.
• For a challenge, a thrill and a more athletic level: we recommend the extreme canyons of L'Alma or Les Sœurs. These canyons require good physical fitness as well as a certain amount of independence and experience. Get ready for a day out with big jumps and long abseils.

In all cases, you'll be accompanied by an experienced guide who knows the canyons inside out. Take a look at all our canyoning activities in Martinique to find the one that suits you best. Whichever activity you choose, an unforgettable adventure in Martinique's tropical wilderness is guaranteed!

#3: Microlight flight over Martinique

The next activity in our selection may be less sporty than the last, but it's certainly no less spectacular. On the contrary, on a gyrocopter flight over Martinique you'll discover the exceptional landscapes, between sea and volcano, from the sky!

The autogyro is an unusual machine, the ancestor of the helicopter, invented in 1923 and combining ULM (motorised ultralight glider) and helicopter. With its open cockpit, the gyrocopter lets you fly over plains, coasts and mountains to enjoy breathtaking views.

After taking off from Le Lamentin, the microlight discovery tour in Martinique will take you over Ducos and its Mangrove swamp, Les Trois-Ilets, Pointe du Bout, Anse à l'Âne, and other wonders of the island for flights of 15 to 45 minutes. Good to know: the gyrocopter can only take two people - you and the pilot! So if you're with family or friends, you'll have to take turns. But we can assure you that the unique view will amply reward your wait!

#4: Kitesurfing at Pointe du Bout

Kitesurfing is one of the best outdoor activities in Martinique! With steady trade winds from mid-November to mid-May, Martinique is an ideal destination for learning and practising kitesurfing.

One of the best spots on the island for kitesurfing is the bay of Fort-de-France, which benefits from a venturi effect between the northern and southern parts of the island, for a stronger wind. If you're tempted by kitesurfing in Martinique, head for the south coast of the bay, at Pointe du Bout. Kitesurfing lessons at Pointe du Bout are available for beginners and more experienced riders.

You'll enjoy this ideal spot in the shallow turquoise waters of Fort-de-France bay, under the guidance of qualified instructors. Depending on your experience, you can choose the kitesurfing course best suited to your level: from a half-day introductory course to a 4-day advanced course. These personalised lessons allow you to progress at your own pace and achieve your personal goals.

#5 : Scuba diving in the south of Martinique

If there's one outdoor activity not to be missed during your stay in Martinique, it's scuba diving! It's the most popular activity on the island, and for good reason: the Caribbean Sea offers ideal conditions for exploring the underwater world. Water temperatures of 26°C all year round, excellent visibility and a rich, unspoilt aquatic fauna await you for your first dive in Martinique, with some great thrills on the programme.

Most of Martinique's dive sites are located in the south of the island. Among the best-known spots are :

• Les Anses-d'Arlet: ideal for a first dive or an exploration dive from the Diamond Rock to the Perle Rock via the Nahoon wreck. PADI courses are also available.
• The Pointe du Bout: a first dive at the Pointe du Bout in Trois-Îlets is probably the most popular activity on the island.
• Le Marin: exploration dives from 2 hours to a full day to discover the coral reef between the Diamant rock and Sainte-Anne, as well as ANMP Level 1 or SSI Open Water Diver courses.
• L'Anse à l'Âne: perfect for a first dive for children (aged 6 and over) and adults, as well as for your PADI course.

Whatever the spot, diving in Martinique is an unforgettable experience that lets you discover the varied underwater world of the Caribbean Sea. And if scuba diving isn't for you, how about a snorkelling excursion to enjoy the richness underwater?

#6 : Snorkelling trip to Anses-d'Arlet

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Martinique's underwater life can be discovered not only by scuba diving, but also by snorkelling. You can observe the fish, turtles and coral from the surface, with your face underwater, and snorkel if you wish. However, what we are offering you as number 6 of the best outdoor activities in Martinique is not ordinary snorkelling, but a trip on an electric underwater scooter to Anses-d'Arlet.

The underwater scooter lets you swim like a dolphin! Electric, silent and non-polluting, this machine is very easy to handle and allows you to move quickly and safely on the surface or underwater. From the beach at Grande Anse d'Arlet (or from a boat or diving site), you can explore the seabed of the Caribbean Sea on your water scooter, while enjoying a whole new range of sensations. This relatively new activity is open to everyone aged 12 and over, provided you know how to swim.

Another unique snorkelling experience is theturtle snorkelling excursion on a catamaran in Anses-d'Arlet, where you can get up close and personal with turtles! Snorkelling can be a lot more varied than you thought, can't it?

#7: Surfing on the Caravelle peninsula

Martinique is a relatively unknown and confidential surfing destination, which is a great advantage because the spots are not overcrowded. The island's east coast offers conditions that will satisfy riders of all levels.

Beginners and experienced surfers alike will find ideal waves in the north at Grand'Rivière, Le Prêcheur, Le Marigot and Basse Pointe (one of the best-known spots), as well as in the south at Sainte-Anne, Le Diamant and Presqu'île de la Caravelle.

Located in the east of the island, it's an ideal spot for your first surf lesson in Martinique. The waves are regular and break on a sandy beach. The SURF UP school offers group or private lessons to help you start or improve your surfing skills, while having fun at the same time. The best time to surf in Martinique is during the trade winds, from November to May. The trade winds create a regular north-easterly swell during this period.

#8: Sea kayaking from Le Robert

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One of the best outdoor activities in Martinique for discovering the beautiful coastline, wild coves and beaches away from the crowds is a canoeing trip. You can hire a sea kayak from Le Robert, in the north-east of the island.

For half a day or a whole day, you'll be on your own, paddling at your own pace. To make sure you don't miss anything, the kayak hire manager will provide you with a navigation plan. The three circuits on offer are :

• Mangrove Tour: discover Martinique's Mangrove, the tropical coastal forest that forms the link between sea and land (see photo above). As you walk along the Mangrove, you'll be able to enjoy the calm, soothing and little-travelled natural surroundings. You can also swim in the white seabed on quiet beaches.
• The white seabed tour: from Cayol Bay to Pointe Savane, you'll sail into the heart of a magnificent lagoon. A rich ecosystem with white seabeds.
• Île Chancel tour: visit îlet Chancel with its ruins of a sugar dwelling, a lime kiln and, above all, the iguana delicatissima, a species endemic to the Lesser Antilles and found only on this îlet. And keep your eyes peeled for starfish as you paddle along!

During your kayak trip you can of course visit many of the places mentioned above. The more you paddle, the more you can see. But don't forget to rest on one of the white sandy beaches to recharge your batteries!

#9 : Quad biking in Trois-Îlets

The last of our top outdoor activities in Martinique is perfect for all fans of mechanical sports and thrills! A quad bike ride is an opportunity to discover a new facet of the island of flowers. During this excursion, you'll come face to face with the exotic wonders to be found in every corner of the island.

The quad bike ride from Les Trois-Îlets lasts around an hour. Mixing access to rougher, wilder terrain with flatter terrain that's great for acceleration, this activity will delight you from start to finish! The professional instructor who accompanies you adapts the programme to suit your level and your personal preferences. The activity is accessible to all, provided you are at least 18 years old and have a driving licence.

We're off to discover...

In the canyons, on the land, from the water, from the air, gracing the heights or discovering the underwater world, the activities above allow you to explore the diversity and beauty of Martinique to the full. This little paradise on earth, with its well-preserved tropical nature, is an ideal place to combine relaxation and activity.

What we have presented in this article is just a selection. There's much more to do on the island of flowers, including sailing, hiking, motocross and wakeboarding. Discover all our activities in Martinique to choose what suits you best.

And if Martinique appeals to you, there's a good chance that other Caribbean islands will too... Here's our article on the best outdoor activities in Guadeloupe, another little paradise in the French West Indies.