Martinique is a French Caribbean island and overseas region located in the Lesser Antilles, blending volcanic landscapes, white and black sand beaches, lush rainforest, and a sophisticated Creole culture. As a full part of France and the European Union, it offers the comfort of French infrastructure alongside a distinctly Caribbean soul.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Martinique.
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- Parking
- Beach food vendors
- Chair and umbrella rental (€10/~$11/day)
- Shallow calm water
- Natural shade from sea-grape trees
Les Salines (Plage des Salines)
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- Free parking at top
- No facilities on beach (bring food/water)
- Excellent snorkeling
Anse Noire
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- Small fishing village
- Open-air fish restaurant (lunchtime)
- Sea turtle snorkeling
- Limited parking above
Anse Dufour
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- Parking
- Beach restaurants and bars
- Diamond Rock views
- Chair rental
- Moderate surf
Grande Anse du Diamant
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- Many beach restaurants
- Watersports rental
- Beach bars
- Hotels
- Ferry terminal nearby
Anse Mitan
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- No facilities — bring water and food
- Wild Atlantic setting
- Near-total solitude on weekdays
Anse Trabaud
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- Village setting
- Beach restaurants (Ti Plage etc.)
- Shallow calm water
- Suitable for children
Plage du Bourg — Sainte-Anne Village Beach
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- Car park
- Calm sheltered water
- Restaurants nearby
- Suitable for families
Anse Madame — Fort-de-France Bay
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- Surf school
- Kitesurf and surf rental
- Beach bars
- Local restaurants
Tartane Beach (Anse Bonneville)
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- Beach restaurant
- Calm water
- Popular with families
Anse L'Étang
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- Same car park as Les Salines
- Sea-grape tree shade
- Calm clear water
- Less crowded than main Les Salines
Grande Anse des Salines
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- Church by the beach (iconic photo spot)
- Lobster restaurants
- Sea turtle snorkeling
- Fishing village atmosphere
Anse d'Arlets Village Beach
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- Fishing village atmosphere
- Seafood restaurants
- Dramatic mountain backdrop
- Strong waves — swimming for confident swimmers only
Plage de Grande Rivière
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- Beach restaurants
- Boat trips to offshore sandbars
- Local fishing village
Plage du Vauclin
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- Restaurants on the beach (Chez Gaston, Le Petibonum)
- Parking
- Volcanic sand
- Mount Pelée views
Plage du Carbet
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.