Martinique is a delightful island with a distinctly French flavour, with many pretty seaside villages, unspoilt beaches and good snorkelling.
Like Guadeloupe and St Martin, Martinique is a French department and is popular as a centre for Caribbean yacht charter. This island is more relaxed than the islands to the north and more sophisticated than the islands to the south.
The French influence gives well-stocked supermarkets, boulangeries and excellent Creole restaurants. The smell of fresh croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the spicy aromas of West Indian cooking. Small cafés and charming bistros add a decidedly cosmopolitan flair to the place.
The rugged mountainous landscape in the north has dense tropical rain forests, rivers and waterfalls. The southern coast is dotted with many picturesque bays and coves. If your idea of a great vacation involves picture perfect beaches, then the island of Martinique is for you. In the south, a plethora of white sand beaches dots the entire south coast. In the north, enjoy the unique and lush setting of black sand beaches near Le Carbet and Le Prêcheur.
