Martinique and beautiful beaches go together like tea and biscuits, they are intrinsically linked. This Caribbean island has some of the most varied beaches you could ever encounter. From the charcoal coloured sand of the northern volcanic beaches to the gold and white sands of its southern shores, these beaches look worlds apart. Looks aside, whether you want a beach full of activities and refreshments or a quieter more serene location, Martinique has a plethora of choices for your day out.
This stunner is referred to as one of the top beaches in Martinique, and with the abundance that is here, that’s no easy feat! This is the type of beach people think of when they imagine a Caribbean island - milky white fine sand and a shallow aquamarine sea bank. As it is on the Caribbean Sea side of the island the water is very calm and great for swimming.
If we haven't already sold it enough, then it's good to note there are over 10 cafes nearby and sun loungers for rental. This beach is easy to drive to as parking is right by the beach. However, as one of the most popular beaches in the country, it can get pretty crowded here so you might want to arrive early.
This is another one of the most popular beaches in Martinique. Much like the Salines beach, it has a brochure worthy look. One of the things that makes this beach unique is the towering 16th-century church that caresses the sky in a direct line with the bleached pier. This architectural feature is framed by a colourful village that provides several restaurants for beachgoers. Anse d’Arlet is great for snorkelling due to the translucent shallow waters that barely conceal a wealth of tropical fish.
Now, this beach is an entirely different experience from the prior mentions. Nestled on one of Martinique's northern shores the black sand of this beach is evidence of Martinique volcanic activity. Aside from it being visually remarkable, it’s surrounded by jungle and there is a stunning waterfall just a short trek away. Anse Coulvere is somewhat of a wild beach with a rougher sea, but many people say it’s a great snorkelling spot if you're a strong swimmer. It's also a good beach for experienced surfers due to the strong Atlantic current.
Anse Dufour has all the beauty of a tropical beach but without the droves of people. It can get busy sometimes but it's generally quieter than Anse des Salines or Anse d’Arlet. This beach has the iconic pale golden sand and turquoise sea that we crave on holiday.
There are two restaurants, but unlike some of the other busier beaches, it doesn’t have a huge number of other facilities. It's worth it for a quiet day out with beautiful sights and serene waters for swimming.
This is another massively popular beach on the island due to the flawless landscape of ivory sand with a glistening blue sea alongside it. The sea here is more than just pretty, it's also perfect for swimming due to the calmness of the water and the supervision present. There are great facilities here with showers to rinse off and a variety of bars and restaurants.
This is a wonderful beach for family days out due to all the facilities and nearby car park. It's also a top beach for watersports as scuba diving lessons, jet skis and kayaks are available here.
This is a charming beach that also happens to be the longest on the island at 4km long. The white sand stretches almost endlessly into the horizon if you stand on its banks. Despite not many facilities being present, the beach itself is very attractive and is especially good for experienced surfers. It's not the best for swimmers and often swimming here is forbidden. If you want to chill out and catch a tan or ride the waves on a surfboard then this beach would be an excellent day out.
Lightly shaded by the numerous palm trees this crystalline sea is great for swimming with a relatively soft current. The merits of this beach don’t end there... the shore is lined with sensational snack bars and seafood sellers offering classic Martinican snacks all day. This is an awesome beach for kids with slides and swings to keep them entertained all day. Tables to sit and eat at are plentiful on the beach so you’ll always have somewhere to enjoy those beachside Martinican dishes.
Another lovely white sand beach is Anse Mitan which sits in Les Trois-Îlets. Aside from this beach being picturesque, it's very close to many of the hotels and shops in the area. If you're staying in Les Trois-Îlets you’ll only be a stone's throw from this beach. Food is readily available from snack bars along the beach, so you'll never have to go hungry if you spend the day here.
Another one of those rare black sand volcanic beaches is Anse Turin. This beach is surrounded by bars and restaurants but most importantly it’s right in the presence of Mount Pelée, the biggest mountain on the island and a major active volcano.
This is more than just a generic beach as the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée sank many ships in the harbour right at Anse Turin. The wrecks are marked by buoys, and you can rent diving equipment to go take a close look at them. The waters here are so clear and the wrecks are so shallow you may be able to get a good view of them from just below the surface.
Another beach in Martinique revered for its sublime appearance is Anse Michel in Sainte-Anne. Sheltered by large fruitful coconut trees, with a sea as clear as day, this beach is a popular choice for all types of watersports. Snorkelling is especially lucrative here since it's so easy to see in the water, but you can also rent anything from jet skis to kite surfers. One of the unique elements of this beach is the fact you can go horseback riding along the beach just like something from a movie!