THE TOMBOLO OF SAINTE MARIE
07/15/2024Sainte-Marie is a commune in the northeast of the island, on the Atlantic coast.
Right in front of it, you can see Îlet Sainte-Marie, connected to it by a tombolo accessible from January to May.
What is the Tombolo of Sainte Marie?
The Tombolo of Sainte Marie is a must-see curiosity during your stay in Martinique! It is a small strip of sand about a hundred meters long that connects the beach to Îlet Sainte-Marie. The word “tombolo” actually comes from Italian, meaning “sandbar.”
The peculiarity of this sandy stretch is that it varies according to the days and seasons. It almost completely disappears for about six months, from June to December.
In the dry season, between January and May, when the currents change, the sand accumulates, and the ford reappears, allowing you to reach the island on dry feet.
The more daring should avoid crossing when the water partially covers the area, as it is particularly dangerous. Swimming is prohibited at all times.
Although there are other tombolos in Martinique, the one in Sainte-Marie is the most well-known and characteristic due to its historical significance.
The History of the North Atlantic Tombolo
The islet played a significant role in the history of the town. Due to its strategic position, it hosted an observation post and two cannons during the wars for possession of Martinique between France and the United Kingdom. Until the 1940s, a short railway line connected the islet to the town of Sainte-Marie, allowing the transport of goods.
A tragedy unfortunately marked the history of the islet.
Félix Lorne (1904-1950), a teacher in Sainte-Marie, used to warm up his students on a football field before giving them swimming lessons at the tombolo site. On March 3, 1950, one of his students struggled to get out of the water, likely due to quicksand, but was quickly rescued by the teacher. Then, a second student encountered the same difficulties. Félix Lorne went to his rescue but never managed to find him before disappearing himself. The next day, March 4, the student’s body was found near the railway. On March 5, the teacher’s body was found on rocks where he had been thrown by the swell. About 5,000 people from all over Martinique attended his funeral.
Excursion to the Tombolo, a Must-Visit Place in Martinique!
Want to visit the tombolo of Sainte-Marie? Why not also visit the rum museum at the Saint James distillery and the banana museum!
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