Martinique is blessed with striking landscapes, a vibrant culture and food scene, outstanding rums, and welcoming people and now it'll be even easier to get there with a new direct Air Canada weekly flight from Toronto starting December 16.
While the island's beauty is mesmerizing, what many travellers don’t know is that it’s also a top ecotourism destination, with a wealth of environmentally friendly activities and accommodations designed to preserve the island’s extraordinary natural beauty.
Whether you want to set off on an outdoor adventure or relax at the spa, you can do it sustainably in Martinique.
Montagne Pelée, Martinique (photo via Martinique Tourism Committee) (Photo Credit: PHOTO: courtoisie du Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme)
From pristine coastline to tropical forests to misty mountains, Martinique has a remarkable variety of natural landscapes teeming with colorful plants and wildlife. The forests of Mount Pelée and the neighboring Pitons du Carbet peaks are home to the largest number of endemic species in the West Indies. The area was recently inducted onto UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites—the third time in three years that the island has been honored by UNESCO. The organization also added Martinique’s entire land and marine territory to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which promotes biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Martinique has been proactive in safeguarding its unique natural environment, designating two-thirds of the island as protected parkland.
This exceptional biodiversity is on display at the Jardin de Balata, a sprawling botanical garden with countless fragrant flowers, including about a hundred species of orchids. The island also has some of the Caribbean’s best dive sites, where you can spot dolphins, turtles, giant gorgonians, and shoals of vibrant tropical fish.
There are so many ways to immerse yourself in Martinique’s stunning natural environment while minimizing your environmental footprint. Spend the day hiking along mountain and coastal trails, snorkeling in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, or horseback riding or canyoning in the rainforest.
To see a variety of Martinique’s landscapes over the course of a few hours, head to the Presqu’île de la Caravelle, a peninsula on the island’s Atlantic side. The hiking trails here wind alongside wild coastline and mangroves and through dry forest, with gorgeous panoramic views along the way.
Kayaking is another popular eco-friendly activity; to learn about Martinique’s marine environment, consider a tour in a transparent kayak with Fleurdo Eco-Excursion, based in Le Vauclin.
(Photo Credit: Credit: David Giral)
Exploring Martinique by sailboat offers spectacular views and unparalleled access to the island’s varied coastline—you can moor at the foot of towering Mount Pelée one day, and drop anchor in the sun-baked islets off the east coast the next. In fact, Martinique has the most moorings of any island in the Lesser Antilles, along with top-notch services and infrastructure for boaters, with dedicated landing stages providing Wi-Fi, restrooms, shops, restaurants, and more. The largest port complex is the Le Marin marina, in one of the most beautiful protected bays in the Caribbean.
Martinique is a very safe destination with modern, well-maintained infrastructure. Travelers with disabilities will find ample reserved parking spaces and accessible restrooms. The travel agency Martinique Access’île specializes in organizing stays for people with disabilities, offering customized excursions, equipment rentals, and transportation.
While the primary languages in Martinique are French and Creole, English is also spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Visit https://martiniquepro.org/overview/selling-tools/ to learn and find more recommended activities and accommodations for every type of traveler.
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