Cruise stopover in Martinique: renting a car at the Fort-de-France port

Published on 29 September 2026 · By the Sherley Location team · 6 min read

Is your cruise ship stopping in Fort-de-France for a day? Organised excursions are often expensive, crowded and tightly timed. With a rental car picked up right at the port, you plan your own day: a white-sand beach, a tropical garden, a rum distillery or the ruins of Saint-Pierre, at your own pace. Here is our islanders' guide to a successful stopover in Martinique. To book a car delivered at the terminal, see our Martinique cruise port car rental page.

How does the Sherley Location cruise package work?

Our ⚓ Cruise package is designed for passengers on a one-day stopover:

• Vehicle handed over at the Fort-de-France port, as soon as you leave the ship, whether you dock at the Pointe Simon terminal (city centre) or at Les Tourelles.
• Return to the same place, with a comfortable margin before the all-aboard time.
• Unlimited mileage and air conditioning on all our vehicles.
• Booking and confirmation on WhatsApp : send us the name of your ship and your stopover times, and we take care of the rest.

Cruise rates: which vehicle should you choose?

Fancy something different? The Yadea electric scooter (€20/day on the cruise package) is perfect for wandering around Fort-de-France, and the Yamaha jet ski or the rigid inflatable boat offer a stopover out at sea.

4 itinerary ideas for a stopover day

The driving times below are indicative from the port, excluding traffic. Always keep a margin for the return: leaving Fort-de-France can be busy in the late afternoon.

1. Southern Caribbean beaches: Les Anses-d'Arlet and Grande Anse

About 45 minutes' drive via Les Trois-Îlets. Turquoise water, snorkelling with turtles at Grande Anse, and the famous church pontoon at Les Anses-d'Arlet for the postcard photo. On the way back, stop at Pointe du Bout for a drink overlooking the bay of Fort-de-France. Our tip: a city car (Picanto, Space Star) is more than enough.

2. Nature and flowers: Balata Garden and the Route de la Trace

Balata Garden is only about twenty minutes from the port. Then continue along the Route de la Trace through the rainforest, with viewpoints over the Pitons du Carbet. An ideal half-day if your stopover is short. Our tip: the automatic Kia Stonic makes the bends of the Trace more enjoyable.

3. History and rum: Saint-Pierre and the northern Caribbean coast

Allow about 45 minutes to reach Saint-Pierre, the former “Little Paris of the Caribbean” destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902: the theatre ruins, Cyparis's cell, the museum. Several rum distilleries along the way are open to visitors. Our tip: the Dacia Duster Hybrid or the Fiat Grande Panda for the hilly roads of the north. Choose a driver who won't taste the rum!

4. Les Salines, the iconic beach of the south

It is Martinique's most famous beach, but also the furthest away: about 1 hour's drive, more at rush hour. Best kept for long stopovers (8 hours or more ashore). Leave early, and plan to head back at least 2 h 30 before your all-aboard time.

Our tips for a stress-free stopover

• Book in advance: on days when several cruise ships are in port, vehicles go quickly.
• Allow a margin of at least 1 hour before the all-aboard time. The ship won't wait.
• Documents to bring: a valid driving licence, ID and a credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit.
• Phone charged and WhatsApp on: our team can be reached all day at +596 696 05 61 12.
• Beach bags and sunscreen : the Martinique sun is strong, even when it is cloudy.
• Fuel: return the vehicle with the same level as at pick-up; there are plenty of petrol stations around Fort-de-France.

Frequently asked questions