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Sea and lagoon · Martinique

The white shallows and Joséphine's Bath

Photo: Mickaël BRUNO, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The islets of Le François and Le Robert, and a swim on a sandbank out at sea

At a glance

Theme
Sea and lagoon
Duration
Half a day to a full day
Season
All year
Start
The Atlantic coast and La Caravelle

Off the Atlantic coast, behind the reef, lie the sandbanks known as “fonds blancs”: waist-deep water a kilometre from shore. The best known is the Baignoire de Joséphine, between the Oscar and Thierry islets; legend has it that the future empress bathed here.

Fishermen's boats and catamarans leave from Le François and Le Robert. By tradition rum punch and accras are served on the sandbank; on Chancel islet you can see the rare Lesser Antillean iguana.

Where to book

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We describe a type of tour, not a specific offer. Prices, schedules and availability are on the booking platforms. Duration and season are a rough guide.

Departure point on the map

Purple dot: departure area (approximate); orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.

Where to stay near the start

All places to stay in the area →

Things to see nearby

Habitation Clément History Habitation Clément A rum estate with a contemporary art park≈ 1.5 kmThe Caravelle peninsula and Château Dubuc Hike The Caravelle peninsula and Château Dubuc A loop through mangrove and dry forest to the ruins and the lighthouse≈ 17 kmSchœlcher Library History Schœlcher Library An iron pavilion built for the Paris World's Fair≈ 18 kmBalata Garden Nature Balata Garden A botanical garden with hanging walkways in the treetops≈ 22 km

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