Discover Southern Martinique: Beaches, Rum & Creole Villages
11/18/2025Southern Martinique is a true concentration of Caribbean charm. Drier, sunnier, and more festive than the northern part of the island, it delights both relaxation seekers and lovers of culture and gastronomy. With its white-sand beaches fringed by coconut trees, renowned distilleries, and colorful Creole villages, the South is an essential stop to experience an authentic and welcoming Martinique.
🌴 A Sun-Drenched Region Between Lagoons and Gentle Landscapes
Unlike the mountainous and humid North, southern Martinique offers flatter terrain and a drier climate. This creates wonderfully contrasting landscapes: savannas, paradisiacal beaches, dry forest, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Here you’ll find the island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches and coral reefs. The South embodies Martinique’s sunny, seaside spirit, perfect for coastal walks, swimming, and enjoying sunset drinks with your feet in the sand.
🏝️ Le François and Le Robert: Little Pieces of Paradise
On the southeast coast, the towns of Le François and Le Robert offer a spectacular marine landscape.
Just offshore, a dozen small islets, such as Îlet Chancel, Îlet Madame, and Îlet Loup-Garou, await discovery. They are accessible by boat, sailboat, or kayak and are among the most popular excursions on the island.
These islets are home to white seabeds, secluded beaches, and even endemic iguanas. Visitors can swim, picnic, snorkel, or simply admire the beauty of the lagoon.
It’s a living postcard, perfectly capturing the gentle spirit of Martinique.
Half day boat tour to Josephine bathtub
🌵 La Savane des Pétrifications: A Desert-Like Landscape
At the island’s southern tip, in the heart of the Sainte-Anne Peninsula, lies one of Martinique’s most surprising natural settings: La Savane des Pétrifications.
This unique site, remnant of ancient volcanic activity, resembles a desert of red sand and thorny shrubs, scattered with cacti and arid rocks.
It’s the complete opposite of the lush North. Walking through this lunar landscape under the bright sun reveals striking scenery and incredible panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Just nearby, stunning beaches such as Grande Anse des Salines or Anse Michel offer the perfect turquoise waters to cool off after a hike.
Hike at Les Salines – Savannah of petrifactions
🏖️ Le Marin and Sainte-Anne: Boating & Dream Beaches
Le Marin is considered Martinique’s nautical capital. Its marina, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, welcomes numerous sailboats and catamarans.
It’s the ideal departure point for sea outings, scuba diving, or a cruise toward the famous Diamond Rock.
Snorkeling in the south Caribbean coast
Just minutes away, Sainte-Anne embodies the essence of Caribbean tranquility.
Its white-sand beaches, like Les Salines, Anse Caritan, and Pointe Marin, are among the island’s most iconic.
Here you’ll find beach restaurants, craft markets, and charming boutique hotels right by the sea.
It’s the perfect spot to stroll, swim, and enjoy a ti-punch as the sun sets.
🪶 Le Diamant and Les Anses d’Arlet: Authenticity & Iconic Scenery
Along the Caribbean coast, the village of Le Diamant charms visitors with its relaxed atmosphere and its long golden-sand beach offering a spectacular view of the mythical Diamond Rock.
Towering over the landscape, Morne Larcher, also known as “the Sleeping Woman”, offers a 360° panorama after a short but intense climb.
Le Diamant’s local market, with its colorful stalls, adds an authentic touch to the experience.
A bit further north, Les Anses d’Arlet is home to some of the most photographed beaches in Martinique.
Between Anse Dufour and Anse Noire, visitors can observe sea turtles while snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Beachfront restaurants, friendly bars, and colorful Creole houses make this one of the island’s most charming places.
🎨 Les Trois-Îlets: Culture, Leisure & Entertainment
Facing Fort-de-France Bay, Les Trois-Îlets concentrates a large part of the island’s tourist offer.
Here you’ll find many of the island’s most renowned hotels, countless seaside restaurants, and a wide range of water activities (jet ski, paddle, sailing…).
Jet ski initiation in Trois Ilets
But the town offers far more than beaches, it is home to several cultural must-sees, such as:
La Savane des Esclaves, an open-air museum retracing Creole history and culture
Le Village de la Poterie, an artistic hub where workshops, boutiques, and galleries create a charming, craft-filled atmosphere
🥃 Southern Distilleries: On the Rum Route
Southern Martinique is also the land of agricultural rum, a true local treasure.
Among its emblematic distilleries, several are worth a visit:
Habitation Clément in Le François: an exceptional estate blending history, architecture, contemporary art, and lush tropical gardens.
Habitation Clement admission ticketsTrois Rivières Distillery near Sainte-Luce: famous for its windmill and exquisite aged rums.
Distillerie A1710 in Le Simon: a small artisanal distillery producing remarkably refined rums.
The Distiller’s Workshop with A1710La Mauny Distillery in Rivière-Pilote: an authentic estate nestled in the countryside, perfect for a small-train guided tour and rum tasting.
These distilleries offer immersive experiences where visitors discover every step of rum production, from sugarcane to tasting.