The verdant island of Martinique - proud bearer of the epithet “The Isle of Flowers” - is considered one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the whole of the Caribbean. In fact, much of the island’s emerald expanse is recognized and protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
What you may not know, however, is that this teeming biodiversity extends below the waves as well, as Martinique has gained a reputation as a premiere locale for scuba diving in the region. There are nearly two dozen sites considered top quality around its rocky shores and sandy beaches; dramatic in their scenic appeal and compelling with their energetic denizens. For the best visibility, the period between December and May is considered optimal.
Whenever you choose to visit, you can look forward to seriously warm waters, making diving here accessible even to the most sensitive swimmers.
With so much blue waiting for you, plotting your underwater odyssey may seem intimidating. Never fear: below, we don our scuba gear and explore five of the finest dive sites in Martinique. (Air Canada now makes it even easier to get there with new direct routes from Toronto and Montreal, as of December 16).
Nahoon Shipwreck
Schools of jack and barracuda beckon you to their home, the wreck of The Nahoon, just north of Les Anses-d’Arlet. This three-masted 40-foor ship has become a fantastic reef - one truly magical for night dives. Colourful sponges and corals have claimed the Nahoon as their personal kingdom, transforming its wooden exterior into an aquatic painting rendered in bright yellows, reds, and purples. The ship’s wheel still stands and makes for a popular photo-op, if you remember to bring a waterproof camera.
Saint-Pierre Bay
When Mount Pelée erupted over 120 years ago, 14 ships at anchor in the harbour were overwhelmed and sunk. Now the remains of these wrecks provide amazing opportunities for exploration, although some are deep enough for only the most advanced divers.
Two extraordinary man-made sculptures add a visual statement to the waters of the harbour, resting on the bottom at a depth of about 30 feet. Manman Dlo is a 20-ton mermaid sculpture installed on the sea floor in 2004. In 2015, the mermaid was joined by Yémaya, a massive 40-foot sculpture of a voluptuous woman. Snorkellers can clearly see both sculptures, as well as the hordes of tropical fish that now make their home on the attached reefs. On the surrounding beds of seagrass, sea turtles and stingrays can often be found, gliding majestically through the dazzling depths.
Le Rocher du Diamant (Diamond Rock)
A short boat ride off the south coast, this dramatically shaped immense plug of solid basalt rises 574 feet straight out of the sea. It’s all that remains of a million-year-old volcano. Whether viewed from land or visited by boat, the rock is one of the island’s most stunning landmarks - and a natural monument to its volcanic heritage.
Scuba diving here is possible all year round, with no shortage of sites sure to captivate divers of all experience levels. Although the rock is on the south of the island and exposed to the open sea, boats can usually find a sheltered spot for divers to don their gear. Underwater, the volcanic nature of the rock has created a series of caves and ledges, steep drop-offs, shallow reef flats and rocky canyons, teeming with plants, fish and creatures.
La Piscine is a relatively shallow site at around 25 feet and is suitable for beginners. For advanced divers, the most famous site is La Cathédrale, a huge cave that passes entirely beneath the island. The entrance is at a depth of 42 feet, the tunnel is 98 feet long, and only the most experienced swimmers can master the currents. An unexpected feature is the extraordinary noise, as the sea forces itself through the passage, with the surge seeming to tug at the rock’s very foundations.
Pointe Burgos Reef and Wall
The extensive plateau off the southwestern tip of Martinique, at a depth of around 40 feet, is ideal for beginners and is considered one of the most ecologically diverse diving spots on the island. Some of the most fascinating and rare species make their home in this locale, including angelfish, spider crabs, sea turtles, and moray eels. Multi-coloured rock formations offer welcome shelter to the inhabitants of the reef and make an indelible impression on the curious observer. Skilled divers can experience the thrill of plunging into the depths over the vertical reef of the wall.
La Pointe Borgnèse
One of the most visited sites on the island, the point protects a lagoon colonized by corals and wildlife. The flat sandy floor has an average depth of 15 feet, suitable for beginners’ training. Then it gradually falls away to a wall with a depth of about 60 feet, where experienced divers can explore the many wonders to be seen. Fishing and mooring are forbidden in this area, allowing the fish to flourish in numbers.
Martinique holds countless marvels just waiting for you to dive in and discover. For more information, visit https://us.martinique.org/.
*this editorial previously was published in Martinique's Canadian Representative, Jesson + Company's newsletter
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