The 10 most beautiful beaches in Martinique to discover by car

Published on 21 July 2026 · By the Sherley Location team · 6 min read

Martinique has more than 30 beaches, from the golden sand of Les Salines to the black sand of Saint-Pierre. Many can only be reached by car, away from the busiest areas. Here is our selection by region, with distances from Fort-de-France and our tips for each stop.

SouthSainte-Anne and Les Trois-Îlets

The south of the island has the easiest beaches to reach — perfect to start with.

• Les Salines beach — the most photographed in Martinique, fine sand and coconut palms, about 45 minutes from Fort-de-France. Arrive before 9am in high season to find a parking space.
• Pointe Marin (Sainte-Anne) — right next to the village, ideal with children, with restaurants and equipment rental on site.
• Anse Mabouya — more secluded, a few minutes from Les Salines, often deserted on weekdays.

From our pick-up point in Sainte-Anne, you are 10 minutes from most of these beaches.

Caribbean coastLes Anses-d'Arlet

The calmer Caribbean coast has the best waters for snorkelling.

• Anse Dufour and Anse Noire — two neighbouring beaches linked by a 10-minute path, with turtles all year round.
• Grande Anse d'Arlet — a fishing village with a photogenic pontoon, an excellent balance of tranquillity and easy access.

Allow about 45 minutes from Les Trois-Îlets, on a winding but well-maintained road — perfect in a city car or a compact SUV.

NorthSaint-Pierre and the black sand

Beyond Fort-de-France, the landscape changes completely: volcano, rainforest and black volcanic-sand beaches.

• Anse Turin — black sand, just south of Saint-Pierre, with a view of Mount Pelée.
• Anse Céron — at the end of the road, a coconut grove and swimming between the rocks, one of the most beautiful spots in the north.

Find our complete itinerary in our 7-day road trip guide, which covers this northern part of the island day by day.

Atlantic coastCap Chevalier and the Caravelle

On the Atlantic side, the beaches are wilder and windier — perfect for board sports, less so for a quiet swim.

• Cap Chevalier — a wild beach and kitesurfing spot; a 4x4 is recommended for the end of the track.
• Caravelle Peninsula — a nature reserve with a hiking trail overlooking several coves.

TipsWhich vehicle for visiting the beaches?

For the beaches of the south and the Caribbean coast, an air-conditioned city car is more than enough — paved roads and accessible car parks. For Cap Chevalier or the tracks in the north, an SUV or 4x4 such as the Dacia Duster Hybrid avoids nasty surprises at the end of the road. Solo travellers who want to hit several beaches in a day: our Voge 900DSX Knight (motorbike, €50/day) lets you weave through traffic and park anywhere, even in crowded beach car parks in high season.

Remember to bring water, sunscreen and cash for the beach vendors — some beaches have no cash machine or mobile coverage.