Martinique

Martinique is a French island in the Lesser Antilles, towards the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea. Nestled between Barbados and St Lucia, the 1,128-square-km Windward Island has a remarkable mix of history, culture and, of course, idyllic white-sand beaches. For a bit of variety, you can head towards the northern end of Martinique and find black-sand beaches in the shadow of the active volcano that created them – Mont Pelée. 

Parts of the island give you a distinctive Pirates of the Caribbean vibe while others feel like a very warm arrondissement of Paris. The capital – Fort-de-France – is undoubtedly the hub of the destination while the smaller settlements around the rest of the island tend to have a relatively sleepy atmosphere. Les Trois-Îlets features some of the best facilities for travellers and is home to some of the best beaches, but you should check out our guides to find other hot spots to consider for your next visit to Martinique.