Snorkeling in Martinique: the most beautiful spots to explore

Snorkeling in Martinique: an adventure accessible to all

Snorkeling, also known as palm hiking or PMT (fins, mask, snorkel), involves exploring the seabed while swimming on the surface. Unlike scuba diving, this activity does not require any certification or complex equipment. In Martinique, the water temperature ranges between 25 and 30°C all year round, making every swim particularly enjoyable in a marine environment of magnificent beauty.

The island of flowers, bathed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, offers an exceptional playground for viewing underwater flora and fauna. Martinique's coastline stretches for around 350 km, a quarter of which is bordered by coral reefs. From seagrass beds to historic shipwrecks, mangroves and underwater sculptures, each snorkeling spot in Martinique reveals a different environment, rich in marine life and biodiversity.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, traveling with your family or as a couple, Martinique is a true tropical paradise for snorkeling. Children and adults alike can safely try their hand at exploring the shallow waters. It's the perfect dream for a beach vacation.‍


The most beautiful snorkeling spots in Martinique

Les Anses d'Arlet: the best place to observe sea turtles

The Anses d'Arlet region, on the southern Caribbean coast, is undoubtedly the best place in Martinique for snorkeling. Head to this beautiful town in southern Martinique, where three picture-perfect beaches stand out in particular.

Anse Dufour is renowned for its calm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming with sea turtles that come here to graze on the seagrass beds just a few meters from the shore. This white sand beach is easily accessible and can be reached by car. The seabed is covered with gorgonians, sponges, and corals, which are home to blue-headed wrasses, blue tangs, and stingrays. The depth remains calm, at around 6 meters.

Right next door, Anse Noire with its black volcanic sand beach offers an unforgettable experience. Sea fans stand like trees from another world, colorful sponges cover the seabed, and butterflyfish live alongside moray eels. It's also a great spot to see green sea turtles.

Finally, the beach at Anses d'Arlet, opposite the pontoon at the entrance to the village and the pretty church, provides easy access to a group of small rocks teeming with colorful tropical fish and corals. Cap Salomon, a little further north, is home to a rich variety of tropical flora and fauna for more experienced swimmers. Further north still, don't miss Anse Turin, on the edge of Carbet beach, a spot where you can dive from the shore to discover a beautiful wreck in shallow water.

Diamond Rock: an unforgettable spot

Diamond Rock is Martinique's number one spot for both snorkeling and scuba diving. This 175-meter-high volcanic peak off the coast of Le Diamant reveals breathtaking underwater scenery: rock tunnels, plays of light, schools of fish, and gardens of multicolored sponges. The luckiest visitors may even get to swim with a sea turtle.

Access is by boat with an authorized service provider departing from the region. This is an excursion not to be missed during your trip to Martinique. From Bambou Resort, Diamond Rock is only 12 miles away.

Pointe Borgnèse and Anse Figuier: the southern Caribbean coast

Nestled between Sainte-Luce and Le Marin, Pointe Borgnèse is a special place thanks to the beauty of its underwater landscape. Soft sea fans sway in the current, while sponges of all shapes and fan corals create a veritable underwater garden. An underwater trail connects Anse Figuier to Pointe Borgnèse, a walk of about one kilometer to be explored with your fins in calm waters.

Anse Figuier, a few kilometers from Sainte-Luce on the road to Sainte-Anne, has some wonderful surprises in store for snorkeling enthusiasts. Along the rocks, numerous fish can be observed, especially at the end of the day. However, be careful of sea urchins, which are common in this rocky area.

Northern Martinique: shipwrecks and underwater sculptures

The north of the island offers radically different possibilities. In Saint-Pierre, you can explore the wreck of the Amélie, a ship that sank during the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, at a depth of only 4-5 meters. Now an artificial coral reef, it is home to sponges, hard corals, and gorgonians.

Not far away, the Manman Dlo sculpture, a giant mermaid submerged 6 meters deep, offers a sculptural experience unique in the world. You can see turtles and rays and enjoy the beauty of sand eels and yellow gobies.

Anse Céron and Anse Couleuvre, on the northern Caribbean coast, are among the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Martinique. On the slopes of Mount Pelée, between the tropical forest and the turquoise water, a wide variety of tropical fish and gorgonians thrive. These places, still untouched by mass tourism, are a veritable natural aquarium. The locations and spots are easy to find once you are there.

The Atlantic coast: islets and coral reefs

The Atlantic coast of Martinique, protected by a small coral reef, also has some interesting spots to discover with fins, mask, and snorkel. The seabed is most spectacular around the small islets that dot the coastline: Îlet Chevalier near Sainte-Anne, Îlet Thierry in Le François, and Îlet Madame opposite Le Robert.

The shallow waters are covered with sea grass beds that are popular with starfish and stingrays. You can get there by boat, kayak, or on boat trips organized by local providers.

Observe Martinique's underwater flora and fauna

The waters of Martinique are home to an exceptional marine fauna that delights snorkelers. Among the species you can see while snorkeling are:

Sea turtles are the undisputed stars of Martinique's seabed. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles frequent many areas, particularly Anses d'Arlet and Anse Dufour, where they are almost impossible to miss. Martinique's coral reefs are home to around fifty varieties of colorful coral, particularly at Grande Caye de Sainte-Luce, which has the greatest coral diversity on the island.

Tropical fish are everywhere: blue surgeonfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, damselfish, and silver needlefish. The luckiest visitors may even spot barracudas, eagle rays, or dolphins. Gorgonian corals, beautifully colored sponges, and fan corals complete this rare and rich tableau, a true discovery of marine life (or "underwater" as English speakers say).

As for sharks, rest assured: sightings in Martinique are extremely rare. Sharks live offshore and there have been no recorded attacks for decades. After your dive, enjoy lunch at a beachfront restaurant to prolong this perfect moment.

Diving clubs for your snorkeling trips in Les Trois-Îlets

While many spots in Martinique are easily accessible from the beach on your own, using a service provider allows you to discover places that are inaccessible on foot, such as Rocher du Diamant or the shipwrecks of Saint-Pierre. The guides know every corner of the seabed and will show you species that you would not have spotted on your own.

Bambou Resort, located in Anse Mitan in Trois-Îlets, enjoys a privileged location in the heart of the area with the most spots on the Caribbean coast. Here are the main providers for booking a boat trip or snorkeling excursion from the hotel:

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A trial dive is often offered as an extra for those who want to explore the seabed a little further. Expect to pay around €60 for a first dive supervised by an instructor. Remember to book your snorkeling activities a few days in advance, especially during peak season.‍


What equipment and when is the best time for snorkeling in Martinique?

The best time for snorkeling in Martinique is during the dry season, from December to April. The sea is calmer, underwater visibility is optimal, and the climate is ideal. During the rainy season (June-November), the water can be rough and visibility reduced. To get the most out of each location, go out early in the morning or at the end of the day, when the light is soft and the fish are more active. Check the weather before you go.

In terms of equipment, all you need is a mask, snorkel, and fins. If you plan to go snorkeling several times during your trip to Martinique, we recommend bringing your own equipment for greater comfort. Otherwise, the tour operators will provide the equipment.

Remember to apply coral-friendly sunscreen, wear a wetsuit or board shorts for protection from the sun and rocks, and use a signaling buoy (preferably a yellow one) if you are swimming in an area frequented by boats.

For safety reasons, avoid touching corals or marine species, stay away from sea urchins in rocky areas, and listen to your body: a session usually lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. Currents can vary depending on the location, especially on the Atlantic coast.

Frequently asked questions about snorkeling in Martinique

Explore the ocean depths from Bambou Resort

Martinique is a true snorkeling paradise: warm, crystal-clear waters, preserved coral reefs, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fish await you on every outing. From Bambou Resort in Trois-Îlets, you'll enjoy privileged access to the island's most beautiful spots and a concierge service that organizes every excursion for you, free of commission. Put on your mask and snorkel, and your underwater adventure begins right at the foot of your bungalow.

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