Martinique

Culinary delights in Martinique are influenced by French, Caribbean, African and South Asian cuisines. Local fruit, vegetables, meats, fish and the famous piment antillais feature prominently in many of the island's most popular dishes.

Lambis is a large sea snail which is cooked in many way including grilling, frying, stewing and served with chilli sauce, tomatoes, lime juice, parsley and salt. Another tasty seafood dish is Dorade grilée, which is marinated sea bream which is grilled or oven baked, and served with potatoes, chips, rice or salad. A famous Caribbean concoction is Accra, which is a fritter made with prawns, salt fish or vegetables. Colombo de Martinique is a flavoursome curry made from lamb cooked in coconut milk, ginger, and Colombo powder.

A delicious traditional dessert is Blanc Manger au Coco which comprises coconut milk, sugar, vanilla powder, cinnamon and lime juice, spooned into small bowls and refrigerated. A much-loved Martinican drink is Ti Punch which features Rhum Agricole, made from the fresh-pressed juice of sugar cane, lime juice, bitters and syrup. Shrub is a popular Christmas tipple comprising rum and orange peel.

Martinique has a tropical climate and enjoys all-year-round sunshine, with the regular Alizés breeze offering relief on particularly hot days. The southern part of the island - the most popular area for tourists - is typically drier than the lush northern region. The rainy season runs from June to the end of November and short tropical showers occur throughout the year. November to the end of April is a good time to visit Martinique, but April to May is particularly appealing, when you can avoid the wet season.  March is the island’s sunniest month, with an average 8.6 hours of daily sunshine. February is a great time for people who live to party to visit Martinique, with the island’s carnival and other fun-packed activities taking place.
 Sea temperatures are very appealing for swimming, snorkelling and water sports action, with the warmest water temperature in September at an average of 29.4°C and the coldest temperature in February, with an average of 26.9°C.      

There’s never a dull moment in sun-soaked Martinique, with a plethora of exciting things to see and do. This magnificent Caribbean cruise destination is a dream come true for families, couples and groups of friends yearning for an action-packed adventure. Swim with friendly dolphins, descend into enchanting caves, climb up tumbling waterfalls, kayak in the mangrove swamps, practice your swing on a top-glass golf course or zipline across a forest canopy  –  the choice of fun-packed activities is endless.
  Key attractions include Fort Saint Louis in the capital Fort-de-France, a famous French fortress built in 1640 which offers breathtaking views of the coast and St Louis Cathedral, an imposing 19th century Romanesque building. Other impressive architectural delights in Martinique include Sanctuaire diocésain du Sacré-Coeur, Bibliothèque Schœlcher, Théâtre Aimé Césaire and Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Church. The island boasts an array of amazing natural attractions including Mount Pelée volcano, Jardin de Balata, Gorges de la Falaise, Cascade Couleuvre  and the Carbet Mountains. Popular activities on the island include snorkelling, horseriding, mountain biking, hiking buggy safaris, catamaran cruises, golf, canyoning, canoeing, ziplining, water-skiing, wakeboarding and island-hopping. There’s also the option to head for the beach for some fun on the sands, the chance to catch some rays on a sun lounger or a refreshing swim in the inviting Caribbean waters. Grande Anse des Salines is regarded as the island's best beach, with Diamant Beach, Anse Figuier, Anse Michel and Anse Ceron among the other spectacular sandy expanses.