I’d been wanting to visit Martinique since I was in high school. After so many years of waiting, I finally decided to take that leap over a decade after first hearing about this island. I had a whole itinerary of plans, but once I got there, it went right out the window. There’s so much to do and see on this beautiful island. These were just some of the sites I was able to get to during my week-stay there.
Des Salines
This gorgeous beach has crystal clear water that stretches along the southwestern side of the island. There are beautiful eateries near the parking lot that sell a variety of dishes for just 10 Euros. It’s a beach for all ages, but be aware that in francophone culture, removing ones top for sunbathing isn’t taboo.
La Savane Park
A small city park in Fort-de-France, there is a local tram that runs from the airport to this park. There are several restaurants near the park and the Bibliothèque de Schœlcher is right across the street. There is a pier where people can catch several boats to other parts of the island or go shopping along the dock.
St. Pierre
In 1909, St. Pierre was the capital of Martinique, but unfortunately there was a volcanic explosion that left the majority of the city population dead with the exception of one man who happened to be imprisoned on the island. To this day, you can see Mount Pelée and the ruins from the volcanic explosion. Not too far away from the ruins is a beach and a pier where one can go swimming. There are many beautiful little shops and restaurants to stop at along the way. That day, I stopped by a beautiful juicing shop where the owner made fresh juice and by a beautiful restaurant appelle Chez Resto Alice where I tried fried squid for the first-time sidenote: (it was quite squishy).
Anse Ceron, Le Precheur
This beautiful beach was hidden away not too far from St. Pierre. I had to trek through a small jungle to get to this beach. It was like something out of a movie with small ravines, vines, and gorgeous tropical trees surrounding me. The hike was about 10 minutes but once I got there, the water was lovely and in the far distance, I could see the island, Dominica. The sand is black due to Mount Pelée.
Oasis Grill
The food and service at this place was so nice that I ate here many times during my week stay. This eatery (located in La Savane Park) served great ribs and an amazingly simple salad that was delicious. By the time I left the waitress was so familiar with me that she already knew what I wanted when I came to order. You can get food to go or sit at the outdoor seating and listen to the beautiful music serenading from the DJ booth.