Best Beaches in Martinique
Martinique has dozens of beaches, from long palm-fringed stretches of white sand in the south to black volcanic coves beneath Mount Pelée in the north. The best ones for swimming are on the calm Caribbean side of the island; the Atlantic side is wilder, windier and better for surfing, kitesurfing and walks.
Quick answer: for classic white sand, go to Grande Anse des Salines. For snorkeling with turtles, head to Anse Dufour, Anse Noire and Grande Anse d’Arlet. For a wilder, quieter feel, try Anse Couleuvre in the north or Anse Trabaud on the Atlantic side. Below you will find what each beach is like and how to choose between them.
Martinique’s Beaches at a Glance
| Beach | Area | Sand | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grande Anse des Salines | Sainte-Anne (south) | White | Classic Caribbean beach day |
| Anse Dufour and Anse Noire | Les Anses-d’Arlet (southwest) | White and dark | Turtles, snorkeling, fishing-village atmosphere |
| Grande Anse d’Arlet | Les Anses-d’Arlet | Golden | Turtles, families, restaurants |
| Anse à l’Âne and Anse Mitan | Les Trois-Îlets | Golden | Calm water near hotels and ferries |
| Grande Anse du Diamant | Le Diamant | Golden | Long walks and views of Diamond Rock (swim with care) |
| Anse Trabaud | Sainte-Anne (Atlantic) | White | Wild scenery, bodyboarding |
| Pointe Faula | Le Vauclin (Atlantic) | White | Shallow lagoon for children, kitesurfing |
| Anse Couleuvre | Le Prêcheur (north) | Black | Rainforest setting, snorkeling |
North vs South: How Martinique’s Beaches Differ
The south is where most visitors stay. Its beaches have pale sand, calm water and plenty of restaurants, beach bars and accommodation. The north Caribbean coast, from Le Carbet to Le Prêcheur, has dark sand formed by Mount Pelée, a greener, steeper landscape and fewer people. The Atlantic coast on the east side faces the trade winds, so it has waves, stronger currents and protected lagoons behind the reef in a few places. It is also the side most affected by sargassum seaweed.
Grande Anse des Salines (Sainte-Anne)
At the southern tip of the island, Les Salines is Martinique’s postcard beach: a long curve of white sand backed by coconut palms and sea grapes, with clear turquoise water and views toward Saint Lucia on a clear day. The water is usually calm, and the beach is long enough to find space even on busy days.
- Food trucks and snack bars near the parking areas sell grilled fish, accras and fresh juice.
- It gets very busy on weekends and public holidays, when local families come for the day. Arrive early or visit on a weekday.
- Shade comes from trees, but look out for manchineel trees, which are toxic (see the tips below).
Alternatives to Les Salines
If Les Salines is too crowded, there are several good alternatives nearby:
- Anse Trabaud: on the Atlantic side, about 1 km of white sand with no buildings. A car track crosses private land with a small per-car fee and limited opening hours; you can also walk there along the coastal trail from Les Salines. Waves are common, which makes it popular with bodyboarders.
- Pointe Marin: a family beach on the edge of Sainte-Anne with facilities and water sports.
- Cap Chevalier and Anse Michel: shallow, sheltered water, a kitesurfing spot and boat trips to the nearby Îlet Chevalier.
- Sainte-Luce: beaches such as Anse Corps de Garde have calm water, plenty of shade and easy access from the coastal road.
Anse Dufour and Anse Noire (Les Anses-d’Arlet)
These two neighboring coves on the southwest coast are among the most popular snorkeling spots in Martinique. Anse Dufour is a small fishing village with white sand, colorful fishing boats and simple restaurants. Green turtles feed on the seagrass in the bay, and you can often see them from the beach with just a mask and snorkel.
A short walk away, Anse Noire is a tiny cove of dark sand framed by forest, with a wooden jetty and clear water over rocks and coral. The contrast between the white and black beaches side by side is one of the island’s curiosities. The parking area is small, so come early, especially on weekends.
Grande Anse d’Arlet and the Bourg
Just south, Grande Anse d’Arlet is a broader golden beach lined with restaurants and fishing boats, and turtles are regularly seen in the bay here too. The village of Anses-d’Arlet itself has a pretty beach with a pontoon and a white church right behind the sand, one of Martinique’s most photographed scenes. Small coves like Petite Anse and Anse Chaudière are quieter options nearby.
Le Diamant and Anse Cafard
Grande Anse du Diamant is one of the longest beaches in Martinique, stretching for several kilometers with views of Diamond Rock, a volcanic islet just offshore. It is superb for walks and sunsets, but the sea here is exposed: waves and currents can be strong, so swim only when conditions are calm and stay close to shore.
At the western end, Anse Cafard is home to the Cap 110 memorial by Laurent Valère, a group of large white figures facing the sea that commemorates the victims of a slave ship wrecked off this coast in 1830. It is a powerful place to stop, even if you do not swim.
Les Trois-Îlets: Anse Mitan and Anse à l’Âne
Across the bay from Fort-de-France, Les Trois-Îlets is a major hotel area. Anse Mitan and Anse à l’Âne have calm water, easy access, restaurants and water sports, and ferries connect them with Fort-de-France. They are less spectacular than Les Salines but very convenient if you are staying nearby or traveling without a car.
Atlantic Coast Beaches
The Atlantic side is for those who like wilder landscapes. Choose your spot carefully, as many beaches here have rough water.
- Tartane and the Caravelle Peninsula: Anse l’Étang is a well-known surf beach, while the Baie des Trésors, reached on foot within the Caravelle nature reserve, has calmer, sheltered water.
- Pointe Faula (Le Vauclin): a wide, very shallow lagoon protected by the reef, ideal for young children and popular with kitesurfers.
- Anse Grand Macabou (Le Vauclin): a remote golden beach with waves and no development nearby.
- Fonds Blancs (Le François): not a beach but shallow white sandbanks in the bay, including the famous Baignoires de Joséphine, where you can stand waist-deep in the sea. They are reached by boat trips from Le François.
North Caribbean Coast: Black-Sand Beaches
- Anse Couleuvre (Le Prêcheur): a black-sand cove at the end of the road, surrounded by rainforest and cliffs below Mount Pelée. The snorkeling can be good when the sea is calm. Trails lead on into the forest.
- Anse Céron (Le Prêcheur): a dark-sand beach backed by coconut palms, with Îlet la Perle offshore.
- Anse Turin (Le Carbet): associated with Paul Gauguin, who stayed nearby in 1887.
- Saint-Pierre: the town beach is dark and simple, but the bay is famous among divers for the shipwrecks sunk during the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée.
Best Snorkeling Spots
| Spot | What you may see | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anse Dufour | Green turtles over seagrass | Easy entry from the beach; often crowded with snorkelers |
| Anse Noire | Reef fish, rocks and coral | Clear water, small cove |
| Grande Anse d’Arlet | Turtles, fish, seagrass | Good for beginners |
| Anse Couleuvre | Fish and rocky reefs | Best when the sea is calm |
| Diamond Rock | Walls, caves, larger fish | Dive trips only; for certified divers |
Keep your distance from turtles, never touch or feed them, and do not stand on coral. For diving in mainland France and beyond, see our guide to the best scuba diving spots in France.
Beach Tips: Sargassum, Shade and Facilities
- Sargassum: mats of brown seaweed periodically wash up, mostly on Atlantic and southeast-facing beaches. When it rots it smells and can be unhealthy to breathe close up. Local authorities publish forecasts and bulletins, so check before choosing a beach or accommodation.
- Manchineel trees: the mancenillier grows on many beaches. Its small green apples, sap and even rainwater dripping from its leaves can burn skin and eyes. Trunks are often marked with a red band; never shelter under one during rain.
- Shade and sun: the sun is strong year-round. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water, and look for natural shade early.
- Facilities: busy beaches like Les Salines, Anse Mitan and Grande Anse d’Arlet have restaurants and snack bars; wilder beaches have nothing, so bring supplies.
- Safety: Atlantic beaches can have strong currents. Lifeguards are present only at some beaches and some times of year. Do not leave valuables in cars.
- Getting there: a rental car is the easiest way to visit several beaches. Weekends are much busier because residents also head to the coast.
Where to Stay for Beaches
Sainte-Anne and Sainte-Luce are the best bases for the southern beaches, Les Anses-d’Arlet suits snorkelers, and Les Trois-Îlets is convenient for ferries and hotels. For a combined trip, read our comparison of Martinique vs Guadeloupe, and for sights beyond the sand, see our list of things to do in Martinique. If you are planning a beach trip around mainland France as well, our guide to the best beaches in France has more ideas.
Summary
Martinique’s best beaches for swimming are on the calm Caribbean coast in the south: Grande Anse des Salines for white sand, and Anse Dufour, Anse Noire and Grande Anse d’Arlet for turtles and snorkeling. The black-sand coves of the north and the wilder Atlantic beaches add variety. Check sargassum reports, avoid manchineel trees, and visit popular beaches on weekdays for the best experience.
