Martinique
Martinique is one of the showcases of the French Caribbean. The capital, Fort de France, fully lives up to that description, celebrating every aspect of the island's all-encompassing French culture with style and panache.
What's fashionable in Paris today is à la mode here very swiftly. Shops sell the latest goods from France. Art galleries, theatres and museums fortify French culture. Street names celebrate French military and literary heroes, while old men play boules in the dusty squares and crowds sit at the pavement cafés watching the Citroens and Renaults inching through the narrow streets.
If it weren't for the tropical climate, it could almost be Paris - and in some ways it actually is. The city's Schoelcher Library, a 19th century Romanesque-Byzantine masterpiece, was built in the French capital, dismantled and shipped to Martinique, where the entire building was re-assembled, down to the mosaics.
While the capital and other towns provide the comforts, elegance and sophistication of France, not least in Martinique's 150 restaurants, other parts of this highly-developed and popular tourist destination offer visitors the classic Caribbean package.
There are flawless beaches - white sand on the south coast, black in the north; secluded coves for swimming and snorkelling; reefs; unspoiled fishing villages; hot springs, lush rainforests and woods; rugged peaks and gorges; and everywhere flowers and fruit - bougainvillaea, orchids, lilies, bananas, pineapples, papaya and coconut palms.
Diving ranges from reef and wall to a whole collection of shipwreck sites mainly caused by the eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902.
Dive Sites
Rocher de la Perle: (Pearl Rock)
2 miles away from shore. Very clear water. Coral fish and marine-animal-life (barracudas, parrot fish...
Récif du sous-marin: (Submarine Reef)
Coral platform near the coast (6 to 18 feet). Luxuriant marine-animal-life. Drooping from 24 to 75 feet. Caves, fish rock, prawn.
La Citadelle: (The Citadel)
Coral platform (36 to 75 feet). Luxuriant marine-animal-life (parrot fish...).
Les Canyons de Babodi: (Babodi Canyons)
Less than 300 feet away from the shore, there are impressive canyons going down to 150 feet to find some large fish.
La Coucoune: (Coucoune)
Underwater cliff from 30 to 50 feet.
Rivière claire: (Clear river)
Corals and fish.
Cap enragé: ( Furious Cape)
Very nice coral garden: coral platform, little canyons, caves. Luxuriant marine-animal-life.
Caye du Potiot: (Potiot Caye)
Coral potatoes at the bottom (45 feet). Luxuriant marine-animal-life and flora as well. Recent wreck of a sailing ship.
Anse Dufour: (Dufour Cove)
Rich rocky marine-animal-life and flora platform.
Pointe de la Baleine: (Whale Peak)
Rocky cliff and coral at the bottom. Very clear water.
Cap Salomon: (Salomon Cape)
Massive rocks all around the cape. Coral platform. Luxuriant and colourful flora. Coral fish all around. Many dives around the cape.
Pointe Lezarde: (Lezarde Peak)
Coral cliff from 0 to 100 feet. Very rich in the small marine-animal-life and flora. Faults and holes. Botanical garden.
Les Grandes Jorasses: (The Big Jorasses)
Serial of coral platforms unevenly slightly situated away from the shore. Remarkable scenery. Big fish to be seen.
Pointe Burgos: (Pointe Burgos)
Very beautiful dives to be done in the creeks. Away from the shore, luxuriant marine-animal-life.
Rocher du Diamant: (Diamond Rock)
Luxuriant underwater architecture: cliff, cave, tunnel... Coral droopings. Luxuriant marine-animal-life
Caye du Diamant: (Diamond Caye)
Situated at the east of the Rocher du Diamant (Diamond Rock). Caves, cliffs. Fishy area.
Wreck Diving
 Epaves de St-Pierre - (St-Peter's Wrecks)
In 1902, The Pelée Mountain erupted taking with her many wrecks around St-Pierre. The nicest ones is "Roraima" (150 feet) that you can almost entirely explore. An other interesting ones for beginners, is the "Raisignier".
Lady V - (Lady V)
Recent 60 foot metal yacht down at 45 feet, but already at 20 feet you have a lot to discover. Very interesting dive for beginners!
Nahoon - (Nahoon)
Steel ship with her three 35 foot masts perfectly intact down there at 100 feet.
Getting There:
British Airways (0845 779 9977; Website flies to Martinique via Antigua or Barbados, Air France (0845 084 5111; Website via Paris, and Virgin Atlantic (01293 747747; Website via Barbados. NB Prices rise considerably in peak seasons (mid-July to September and during December).
When to Go:
There is some rain all year round, but December to May is the driest time, and perfect for winter-sun seekers.
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A full department of France, French is the official language of the island. Many of the dive centres have English speakers, but check if your French is not up to par. A beautiful and sophisticated island that has something for everyone, even the non-divers.
Tourist Board Information
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