Why We Chose Martinique for a Snorkeling Adventure
Want to know the best snorkeling beaches in Martinique to visit with kids? These are two beaches we visited with our kids that are great for snorkeling in Martinique. Bonus points because they are even within driving distance (appx. 1 hr.) of the Martinique cruise port in Fort de France.
“Martinique? Where is that?”
If I had a dollar for every time we heard that before traveling to Martinique, we probably could have paid for the entire trip! To be honest, Martinique wasn’t on our radar either—until a good friend continued his travels there after our sailing adventure to St. Martin, Anguilla, and St. Barth (more on that trip soon!). He described Martinique as the “Hawai’i of the Caribbean,” and my husband immediately added it to the top of our Must Travel To list.
If you love to snorkel and this charming, French-owned island isn’t already on your list, it’s time to add it—ASAP. You can even stop asking yourself, “Does Martinique have nice beaches?”, because the answer is an astounding “YES!” These beaches are even fairly close to the cruise port, so if Fort de France, Martinique is on your Caribbean cruise itinerary, you could grab a taxi and explore them on your own (pay attention to the time so you make it back to port!) or book a shore excursion and explore them with a local guide!
During our stay in Martinique, we visited several beaches, but the ones included below were (by far) the best beaches for snorkeling in Martinique and I’m going to tell you all about them:
Top Beaches in Martinique for Snorkeling
Anse Dufour — Spot Giant Sea Turtles in a Stunning Bay
Located in southern Martinique near Les Anses d’Arlet, Anse Dufour features golden sand, a couple of cute beach restaurants, and incredible snorkeling. Parking is limited to roadside spots, so I recommend arriving early if you are driving yourself. Again, if Martinique is on your cruise port itinerary {RELATED POST: Considering a cruise with kids? Click here to read about 7 Reasons Families with Kids Love Cruising!} and you aren’t comfortable grabbing a cab to the beach, there are many excursions available for snorkeling and I highly recommend booking one here.
We arrived at the beach around 10:30 a.m., and the quaint beach was already packed. However, high tide rolled in shortly after, and many visitors left—giving us space to settle in.
You can tell by the slope of the beach that this bay often has strong waves, and the day we visited was no exception. Once I felt comfortable in the water, I threw on my snorkel gear and headed into the bay. Unfortunately, the water was extremely rough, which stirred up sediment and reduced visibility. I was so disappointed—Anse Dufour is known for it’s sea turtle sightings (my favorite animal!), and it was the #1 beach on my list for that reason.
But, despite the rough conditions, our kids had a blast jumping in the waves, so we decided to stay—and I’m so glad we did! A few hours later, the water calmed, and we ventured out to snorkel again. Lo and behold, we spotted the largest sea turtles I’ve ever seen! Several green sea turtles, likely 3.5–4 feet in length, were grazing in the seagrass around the bay. Snorkeling alongside them was magical.
If the water had been calmer, I’ve heard there’s a small cave on the north side of the bay that’s home to even more marine life. There were also giant rocks nearby that our kids enjoyed climbing and jumping off into the sand.
We always pack a large check-in bag when we fly to beach destinations full of beach toys, snorkeling gear, life jackets, balls, towels, tents, snacks, etc. that we take with us when we travel to make our beach visits perfect.
Grand Anse d’Arlet — Family-Friendly Beach with Incredible Marine Life
You cannot visit Martinique without spending a day at the breathtaking beach of Grand Anse d’Arlet—hands down one of the best beaches on the island. Located about a 10-minute drive south of Anse Dufour, this expansive beach offers plenty of space to spread out, plus a variety of restaurants right on the sand.
The beach is famous for its charming pier, which sits directly in front of Église Catholique St. Henri des Anses d’Arlet—a picture-perfect spot for family photos (even if one of my kids didn’t agree!).
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As you may have guessed, this beach is also a top snorkeling destination. Head to the southern edge of the beach to find lively schools of tiny fish living amongst collections of stone and rock formations. Swim a bit farther out and—yes!—you’ll likely spot sea turtles. I counted five during our visit!
Back near the center of the bay, around where the boats are anchored, we saw dozens of sea stars nestled in the sand. My son and I even spotted a flounder (or maybe a sole) camouflaged and buried in the sea floor! Needless to say, Grand Anse d’Arlet is a must-visit if you’re headed to Martinique.
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Planning Your Trip to Martinique
Now that you know a little more about the best snorkeling spots in Martinique, I hope this beautiful island country is firmly on your travel radar. I’d love to help plan your visit, so you too can go snorkeling in Martinique—reach out today and let’s create your ultimate Martinique itinerary!
Enjoy planning and booking your own trips? So do I (obviously :)) Booking.com can help you compare hundreds of different flights and hotels so you can find the perfect options for you!
Happy Travels!
