World Tourism Day 2026: what to do in Martinique?

With World Tourism Day celebrated every year on September 27th, why not (re)discover Martinique? From tropical gardens and black or white sand beaches to hiking, boat trips, and volcanic landscapes, the island offers an incredible diversity of experiences from north to south. Here are some must-do activities in Martinique to explore every facet of the Island of Flowers.

What is World Tourism Day?

Celebrated every year on September 27th, World Tourism Day highlights the role of tourism in the economic, cultural, and social development of regions.

In 2026, the international theme "Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence for Redesigning Tourism." focuses in particular on how new technologies are transforming the way we plan trips, discover destinations, and showcase their assets.

An evolution that does not erase the essentials: traveling is, above all, about discovering a region, its landscapes, its heritage, its biodiversity, and the people who bring it to life.

In Martinique, this day is a wonderful opportunity to set out and discover the island's many faces. Between the lush vegetation of the north, the turquoise waters of the south, and the landscapes of the Atlantic coast, sometimes you only need to travel a few kilometers to completely change the scenery.

What to do in the north of Martinique?

The north of Martinique reveals a particularly wild and verdant side of the island. Dominated by Mount Pelée and the Pitons du Carbet, this part of the region is ideal for combining nature, heritage, and family activities.

Discover the Jardin de Balata and the Martinique Zoo with the Zoo + Balata Pack

To discover two iconic sites in Martinique, the Zoo + Balata Pass allows you to combine a visit to the Balata Garden with a trip to the Martinique Zoo – Habitation Latouche.

Located on the Route de la Trace, just a few minutes from Fort-de-France, the Balata Garden brings together over 3,000 species of tropical plants. Palm trees, lobster-claws, hibiscus, torch ginger, and heliconias make up a lush garden designed by landscape artist Jean-Philippe Thoze. Suspended walkways also allow you to get up high amidst the vegetation and admire the Pitons du Carbet.

The adventure continues at the Martinique Zoo, in Le Carbet. Set on the historic site of the Habitation Latouche, the park combines animals, a tropical garden, and heritage ruins. Jaguars, monkeys, pumas, Caribbean flamingos, and parrots roam through a verdant landscape.

Two complementary experiences to discover the natural richness of Martinique during a single trip.

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Enjoy the black sand beaches of northern Martinique

Changing scenery in Martinique often only requires a few kilometers. On the northern Caribbean coast, the beaches are a direct testament to the island's volcanic origins.

Among the black sand beaches of Martinique,Anse Couleuvre, in Le Prêcheur, is one of the most famous. Surrounded by dense vegetation and cliffs, this wild beach offers a setting very different from the long stretches of white sand in the south.

The northern region of Martinique is also popular for its hiking trails and preserved landscapes. From Anse Couleuvre, a path leads to the waterfall of the same name in the heart of the rainforest. Finally, you cannot leave Martinique without climbing Mount Pelée, the island's volcano and highest peak.

Explore the Caravelle Peninsula

On the Atlantic coast, the Caravelle Peninsula is another must-visit stop for nature lovers and hikers in Martinique.

The nature reserve offers several trails to explore mangroves, dry forests, and coastal landscapes. The area is also home to the ruins of Château Dubuc and the Caravelle lighthouse.

This diversity makes it a particularly interesting excursion for discovering another side of the north and the Atlantic coast of Martinique, blending historical heritage with natural spaces.

What to do in the south of Martinique?

The south of Martinique is often associated with its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. But it also holds much more unexpected landscapes. Whether it's a sea excursion, a hike through an almost desert-like setting, or a sunset over the Caribbean Sea, the experiences here are just as varied.

Take a boat trip to the Fonds Blancs and the Josephine's Bath

Among the essential activities to do in Martinique, a boat trip to the Fonds Blancs allows you to discover one of the most iconic landscapes on the Atlantic coast.

Off the coast of Le François, sandy shoals create vast areas where the turquoise water remains shallow in the middle of the sea. The most famous is the Josephine's Bath, located between the Oscar and Thierry islets.

Boat excursions generally allow you to sail between the islets, explore the lagoon, and enjoy a swim in the Fonds Blancs. It’s a different way to explore the Martinican coastline, this time from the sea.

Discover the most beautiful beaches in southern Martinique

It is impossible to talk about the south without mentioning the beaches of Martinique. Around Sainte-Anne, Le Marin, Sainte-Luce, or Les Trois-Îlets, the coastline offers plenty of opportunities to alternate between swimming and exploring.

The Grande Anse des Salines, in Sainte-Anne, is one of the island's most famous beaches, with its light sand, coconut palms, and open view of the Caribbean Sea. Other beaches offer a change of pace, from quiet little coves to long, family-friendly stretches of sand.

To the west, Anse Dufour and the beaches of Les Anses-d'Arlet offer a different setting, with generally calm waters that are particularly popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Hiking through the lunar landscape of the Savane des Pétrifications

It only takes a few minutes to go from coconut palms and white sand to an almost desert-like landscape.

Located at the southernmost tip of Martinique, near Sainte-Anne, the Savane des Pétrifications is one of the island's most surprising landscapes. Here, tropical vegetation gives way to arid land, cacti, ochre-colored rocks, and cliffs battered by the Atlantic Ocean.

Crossed by a section of the famous Trace des Caps, the site offers a spectacular hike between Grande Anse des Salines and Anse Trabaud. Since shade is scarce along the trail, it is best to head out early in the morning and bring plenty of water.

This almost lunar atmosphere is a complete contrast to the lush landscapes encountered just a few hours earlier at the Balata Garden: a perfect illustration of Martinique's incredible natural diversity.

Watching the sunset in Les Trois-Îlets

To wrap up a day of discovery, head to the Caribbean coast and Les Trois-Îlets.

The town has several popular spots for enjoying the end of the day, most notably Anse Mitan and Pointe du Bout. From this part of the coast, you can look out over the Bay of Fort-de-France as the light gradually fades over the sea.

Restaurants, beaches, a marina, and walkways make it easy to extend your evening. A final, relaxing experience after a day spent exploring Martinique.

Take advantage of World Tourism Day to rediscover Martinique

Tropical forests, botanical gardens, volcanic beaches, lagoons, heritage sites, hiking trails, and arid landscapes: Martinique packs a remarkable diversity into a relatively small area.

The 2026 World Tourism Day is a reminder that discovering a destination isn't just about visiting its most famous sites. It’s also about taking the time to explore its different regions, understand their history, and observe the richness of their ecosystems.

From the Balata Garden to the southern beaches, from the Martinique Zoo at the Fonds Blancs, every excursion reveals a new facet of the Island of Flowers.

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