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Today, let’s escape to the best beaches in Martinique, far away from the cold creeping into Paris… In our article on things to do in Martinique, I told you how we managed to mix sightseeing, walks and beach time, all while tucking into delicious Martinican food. A varied, foodie trip: just the way we like it!
Don’t expect a top 25 put together from our sofa: these are the 8 beaches where we actually laid down our towels (or didn’t, when the sea scared us off…), with what we thought of them and what you need to know before you go.
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Martinique beaches at a glance
| 🏖️ Beach | 📍 Area | 🌊 Swimming | 🐠 Snorkelling | 💛 Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anse Dufour | Les Anses-d’Arlet | Calm | Very good | Fishing village vibes |
| Grande Anse d’Arlet | Les Anses-d’Arlet | Calm | Good | Families, early birds |
| Petite Anse d’Arlet | Les Anses-d’Arlet | Calm | Very good (rocks) | The village, the jetty, photos |
| Le Diamant beach | Le Diamant | Often rough | No | The view of Diamond Rock |
| Les Salines beach | Sainte-Anne | Calm | Average | White sand and coconut palms |
| Anse Figuier | Rivière-Pilote | Calm | Average | Families, peace and quiet |
| Le Carbet | North Caribbean coast | Can be wavy | Average | A swim stop in the north |
| Anse Couleuvre | Le Prêcheur | Take care, currents | When the sea is calm | Wild scenery, hiking |
How to choose your beach in Martinique
What struck us on the island is how much the scenery changes from one mile to the next. And the same goes for the beaches! We had white sand, black sand (volcanic rock), crystal-clear or emerald-green water… Palm and coconut trees lining the sea and, just a few metres away, incredibly lush green nature… Real postcard settings! Not to mention the snorkelling.
To keep it simple: the south and the Caribbean coast (on the west) have the calmest, most “postcard” beaches, with pale sand. The wilder north has grey or black sand beaches at the foot of amazing vegetation. As for the Atlantic coast, on the east, it’s far more exposed to wind and waves: better for surfing and kitesurfing than for a gentle paddle.
The other thing that might make you pick one beach over another is the weather, which is very changeable and can easily differ from one side of the island to the other. If it rained the day before, a usually clean beach can end up covered in seaweed… And then it all depends on the kind of paddling you enjoy: some beaches are so calm the water barely moves, while others have big waves and are known for being rough… Again, the weather plays a big part.
💡 Good to know before you hit the beach
Sargassum: this brown seaweed regularly washes up on some of the island’s shores, especially on the Atlantic side and in the south-east, and gives off an unpleasant smell as it rots. Before you go, check the sargassum forecast bulletin published by Météo-France and the DEAL Martinique, which is updated regularly.
Hookworm larvae (“vers à chien”): during our stay, one of the beaches was infested with these tiny larvae (left by animal droppings) that burrow under the skin… Yuck! Ask locally, avoid lying directly on the sand and keep your sandals on when walking on dry sand.
Manchineel trees: some trees along the beaches, often marked with a red stripe, are toxic. Don’t shelter under them when it rains and don’t touch their small fruit.
The best beaches in Les Anses-d’Arlet and Le Diamant
This stretch of the Caribbean coast, in the south-west of the island, is where we fell hardest. The three coves of Les Anses-d’Arlet are just a few minutes’ drive from each other: you can easily do two in the same day.
Anse Dufour
Probably our favourite beach in Martinique… Small, with colourful boats, fishermen, little local restaurants, emerald-green water… Everything was there to win us over and keep us there for hours!
It’s a fishing village beach that still feels very authentic, with calm water that’s great for snorkelling along the rocks. It’s also known for the turtles that come to graze on the seagrass… We weren’t lucky that day! In practice, the small car park fills up quickly, so get there early, especially at weekends. And right next door is Anse Noire… more on that below, because we missed it!
Grande Anse d’Arlet
We arrived at this beach on our very first day, and there was… NOBODY! Brilliant! We stayed the whole morning, admiring the colours of the water, sometimes dark, sometimes turquoise depending on the sun. A little crush on this one!
It’s a long stretch of golden sand lined with beachfront restaurants, and the sea is usually very calm: perfect if you’re travelling with children. The seagrass beds just off the beach also attract turtles. Our tip: come in the morning, like we did, before the boats and day trips arrive.
Petite Anse d’Arlet
With its colourful church, its famous jetty and its little village, we found the place really cute. The beach itself is small, but there’s plenty to see snorkelling around the rocks.
This is the heart of the village of Les Anses-d’Arlet, with the Saint-Henri church right opposite the jetty, probably one of the most photographed views on the island. People come here as much to wander around the village as to swim, and it’s a good spot for lunch after a morning at Grande Anse or Anse Dufour.
Le Diamant beach
One of the symbols of Martinique is this rock facing the sea. The beach was a bit covered in seaweed and very rough, so we didn’t stay long!
It’s one of the longest beaches on the island, and the view of Diamond Rock is well worth the detour. Swimming, however, is often tricky because of the breakers and currents: always follow the flags, and keep it for a stroll or a sunset instead.
The best beaches in the south of Martinique
Les Salines beach
Said to be the most beautiful beach in Martinique, and you quickly see why when you get there… A real postcard: clear water, fine white sand, coconut palms leaning over the sea… If we had to be fussy, we found there was a lot of seaweed that day… But it’s still stunning!
It’s at the very southern tip of the island, in Sainte-Anne. It’s also the locals’ favourite beach at weekends and during the holidays, so it can get very busy. To enjoy it in peace, come early in the morning or on a weekday. You’ll find snacks on site, but bring water and sun protection.
Anse Figuier
On our last day, we wanted one final paddle… The sky looked threatening, but we had time for a swim before the storm broke! The beach was really beautiful, with the famous Diamond Rock and the “sleeping woman” in the distance.
In Rivière-Pilote, Anse Figuier is a small, peaceful beach with calm water, often less crowded than Les Salines: a good option for families. The Martinique Ecomuseum is right next door if you fancy combining a swim with a bit of culture.
Beaches in the north of Martinique
A complete change of scenery in the north of Martinique: grey or black sand, rainforest running right down to the sea and often livelier water. Less “postcard”, but so different!
Anse Couleuvre
A very wild, isolated beach that isn’t easy to reach… If you want to feel alone in the world, we recommend it; if winding roads make you dizzy, we don’t. The sand here is very black, the atmosphere heavy, and you go through jungle and ruins before you get there… It’s pretty impressive! It had rained the day before and the sea was very rough, so we didn’t swim.
It’s at the very end of the road through Le Prêcheur, where the road simply stops. It’s also the starting point of the hike to Grand-Rivière, if your legs are up to it. When the sea is calm, you can swim and snorkel, but be careful: the currents can be strong.
Le Carbet
On our way back from Anse Couleuvre, we wanted to find a quick spot for a swim and stopped at Le Carbet. The waves were a bit strong, but the beach was really pleasant!
Le Carbet is a stone’s throw from Saint-Pierre, which makes it an ideal stop if you’re exploring the north for the day. The sand is grey and volcanic, and the village has a lovely story: this is where the painter Gauguin stayed during his time in Martinique.
What about Josephine’s Bath?
It isn’t really a beach but a sandbank in the middle of the sea, off Le François, where you can stand in turquoise water. We were expecting a big natural pool, like the ones we’d seen in the Dominican Republic… So we were disappointed, because the “bath” turned out to be very small! Luckily, the rest of that day at sea was brilliant. We tell you all about it in our article on the Baignoire de Joséphine and its islets.
The beaches we’re saving for our next trip
We won’t lie: we didn’t see everything! And after reading your comments and hearing from friends who’ve been back, our list for next time is getting rather long…
Top of the list is Anse Noire, Anse Dufour’s neighbour, with its black sand and little jetty… We were right next to it and missed it, how embarrassing! Then there’s Anse Trabaud, wilder and not far from Les Salines, and the Cap Chevalier and Anse Michel area on the Atlantic side, known for its lagoon and islets (and its kitesurfers). And for a complete change of atmosphere, Tartane beach on the Caravelle peninsula, more for surfers. If you’ve tried them, tell us what you thought in the comments!
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And there you have it, we hope you enjoyed this beach break! We certainly loved every minute!
Our one small disappointment: not seeing any turtles… Apparently you can spot them at Anse Dufour and Petite Anse d’Arlet.
Which Martinique beaches would tempt you? What kind of beach do you prefer?
FAQ
The frequently asked questions are here!
What is the most beautiful beach in Martinique?
Les Salines beach in Sainte-Anne is often named the most beautiful beach in Martinique for its white sand, clear water and coconut palms. Our personal favourite, though, is Anse Dufour in Les Anses-d’Arlet, for its fishing village feel and emerald-green water.
Where can you see turtles in Martinique?
Turtles graze on the seagrass beds along the Caribbean coast, especially at Grande Anse d’Arlet, Anse Dufour and Anse Noire. Your chances are best in the morning while snorkelling, keeping your distance from the animals.
Which beaches should you choose in the south of Martinique?
In the south, we recommend Les Salines for the postcard setting, Anse Figuier for a calm family beach, and the three coves of Les Anses-d’Arlet (Grande Anse, Petite Anse, Anse Dufour) for snorkelling. Le Diamant beach is worth a look, but swimming there is often tricky.
Is there sargassum on Martinique’s beaches?
Yes, sargassum regularly washes up on some shores, especially on the Atlantic side and in the south-east. The Caribbean coast is generally less affected. Before choosing your beach, check the sargassum forecast bulletin published by Météo-France and the DEAL Martinique.
Which beaches in Martinique are good for children?
The calm-water beaches on the Caribbean coast and in the south are ideal with children: Grande Anse d’Arlet, Anse Figuier or Les Salines. Avoid Le Diamant beach and northern beaches such as Anse Couleuvre, where the sea can be rough.