Martinique Beaches

Photo by Jean-Paul Agulhon
© All Rights Reserved

"Ça va bien, mon frère?" It should, once you get your epiderm glistening with oil and soaking up rays on this little isle of Caribe delights. But don’t forget to brush up on your French before you go, because this slice of paradise flies the Tricouleur.

"Vive la fromage, baguettes, vin et toutes les choses françaises!"

Not that French cuisine is the only thing you have to look forward to on this French island. You can also attend the ballet or participate in a limbo dancing contest. Is there really a choice here? Semi-sloshed, belly reaching toward the sky, your buddy Fred will try to defy gravity, and likely not succeed. He can sleep off his lost esteem on one of Martinique's beaches tomorrow. Will he even care?

To keep the party going, take him to Les Salines or Pointe du Marin beach, where the convivial locals will honor him for the enthusiasm with which he comported himself the night before. They might even have something to cure that brutal hangover he has. Perhaps that magical concoction they call ‘Ti-Punch’ will do the trick. After one of these Fred should feel no pain - or anything else for that matter.

On the other hand, should you wish to avoid running into Fred, head for one of Martinique's northern beaches, Anse Couleuvre or Anse de Galets. Here, giant palms and black sand will soothe your injured sensibilities and give you a day of peace and serenity, away from Fred’s earthy insights.

Or if you feel more adventurous, scoot over to Anse Michel on the wild east coast of the island. This pristine golden strand is so remote that Fred will never find you.