Scuba diving in Martinique Islands means sun, coconut palms, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, exotic fruits and breathtaking landscapes but also extraordinary dives. These are the characteristics that make Martinique a great scuba-diving destination. Located in the middle of the arch of the Lesser Antilles, the island is a popular destination for all types of divers, whether experienced or novice. Spotmydive invites you to discover the top 10 best diving spots in Martinique.
1. The Diamond Rock
It is, without doubt, the best-known diving spot in Martinique. Diamond Rock is 2 km from the tip of Diamond City. Thanks to its particular shape, the rock arouses the curiosity of all and for good reasons. The walls of the rock extend up to fifteen meters under water. “Spectacle of exception”, “site of anthology”, “mythical spot”, these are the formulas used to describe the dive spot of the Diamond! On this occasion, it must be admitted that these praises are very well deserved. Accessible to all levels but, more particularly, reserved for experienced divers, this site offers a dozen different circuits. And there is many things to discover from the caves, the arch and the drop offs to see the most beautiful multicolored fish of the island.
2. The Roraima
Right next to St. Peter’s is the Roraima. This is an excellent dive spot for advanced divers. On this spot, you will have the privilege of exploring one of the top diving wreck of Martinique. On May 8, 1902, Mount Pelee erupted and ravaged the city and waters of St. Pierre. Everything is destroyed and most boats are sunk. After the Grappler, the Gabriella or the Korona, it is the Romaima who suffer. The boat burns for 3 days and makes 53 deaths before sinking into the depths of the Caribbean Sea. In 1974, Michel Météry, found the wreck of the Roraima: Canadian steam cargo of 103 meters long and 11 meters high. The interior of this wreck is impressive and above all very well preserved. The rooms have kept an air of authenticity after more than a century under water. As for the flora, it bears witness to the tragedy that has taken place. You can find tortuous corals or “elk horns”, deformed certainly by the heat but also sponges red and dark in the form of chimneys. The fauna is very wide and varied. White and orange gorgonians, trumpetfish, lizardfish, pegs of mombins and big barracuda in schools or solitary. In short, with this visit of Roraima, you will not be disappointed, and we advise you to do this dive several times if you have the opportunity.
3. Cape Solomon
North of Grande Anse d’Arlet, we discover the site of Cape Salomon. This dive site is known for its different underwater itineraries. North, we discover a spot called “the pool”. Performed in calm and serenity, this circuit is ideal for nice and easy underwater walks through the corals. There is a small cave that will please novices. Towards the tip of the cape, on the other hand, cavities populated with crustaceans are found from 15 meters. A little further south, Solomon’s gardens also offer as “the pool”, a calm and colorful diving. To visit as well and as completely as possible this site, we advise you to do several dives to observe the particularities of each course.
4. Nahoon Wreck
Located between the tip of the Whale and Cape Solomon, the wreck of Nahoon is recent and, therefore, rather well preserved. Many consider it as the best diving wreck in Martinique, this former builder was voluntarily cast on the initiative of Michel Pivette in 1993. Today, after the passage of Hurricane Lenny in 1999, there remains only the front part of this former building boat. It is located 10 meters below the surface and will make you live an unprecedented and spectacular diving experience to discover its every nook and cranny. This dive is strictly not recommended for beginner divers.
5. The Citadel
In front of the village Prêcheur, more precisely in the district of Abymes, the Citadelle is a dive spot accessible to all levels. This site offers a rare opportunity for divers to explore a succession 3 different environments:
- An exceptional coral plateau, between 6 and 30 meters, where it will be possible to observe an abundant and colorful fauna made up of sorbes, parrots or lobsters and jacks.
- Droplets of 60 meters of steep rocks populated with sponges and gorgonians.
- Trays of black sand sprinkled with volcanic bombs
6. The Jorasses
The Jorasses: it is the extension of the site of the Tip of Burgos. This is usually a dive site for experienced divers due to the current, but beginners – if they are confident – can venture there. Discovered by Michel Pivette in 1988, this site has unmatched visibility that will allow you to miss nothing of this enchanting underwater show. On the program of this dive, impressive drop offs surrounded by big schools of trevallies, passages of mackerel and rays.
7. La pointe de Burgos
At the foot of Morne Champagne, south of the Grande Anse d’Arlet, is Pointe Burgos. This site is made up of rocks and faults that sometimes reach 60 meters and we can find a very abundant fauna. It is surely one of the most fish-rich places in the region. Moreover, on this diving spot, everyone agree that it is one of the most beautiful dives in Martinique. Accessible at all levels, this dive will satisfy novices as well as more experienced. It will be possible to see, on a magnificent plateau coral, banks of porpoises, gorets and, with a little luck, batfish. However, if this dive interests you, be sure to come aware of the current and to control it – even if it can bring good surprises the current is often strong on this diving site. As we know, the current attracts life … So be careful!
8. The Great Caye of Sainte-Luce
This 200-meter long reef is just east of Sainte-Luce. The site of the Grande Caye is accessible to all levels and is perfect for beginners and first divers. According to scientists, this is one of the richest sites for coral variety in the region. The corals of the Great Caye of Sainte-Luce are visible at 5-6 meters deep and have a very singular shapes, sizes and a great health. If you dive in the late afternoon or if the weather is cloudy, you may be lucky enough to watch some nice hunting between trevallies and smaller fishes. In addition, it is strongly recommended to do a night diving in Martinique on this diving site. As night falls, it is possible to see different fishes, crustaceans and squids coming out of their hiding place. No valid excuses not to dare to dive at night because the temperature of the water is the same day and night.
9. The Canyons of Babodi
At the Prêcheur, a few kilometers north of Saint-Pierre, the site of the Babodi Canyons owes its existence to the Volcanique past of the Mount Pelee. Therefore, ancient lava flows have created impressive canyons that extend more than 50 meters offshore. This dive defined as aerial, can be suitable for all levels. However, if you intend to access the bottom of the canyon, it is imperative that you have an advanced scuba diver level at least. During this dive, you will be able to travel along corridors of more than a hundred meters between the virgulars and leaf corals. On this dive site, with usually has a pretty good visibility, you will quickly realize the beauty of this entire underwater landscape. Stingrays looking for crustaceans are usually present on the diving spot.
10. Le Cap Enragé
Located north of Case-Pilote, a few kilometers south of Saint-Pierre, the “”Cap Enragé” dive spot Litterally Enraged Cape in english is open to all levels and will surely please everyone. Whether photographers, biologists, experienced divers or just beginners, the enraged Cape will suit you perfectly. The best time to dive is in the afternoon and it allows you to observe almost all the different type of fish of the Martinique. This is the very type of diving that we call “aquarium” with an important and varied underwater fauna . But the dive spot does not only offer great fauna and it has much more to offer such as its coral garden and gorgonians, its succession of canyons, corridors and caves where you can marvel at angel fish, in front of a scorpion fish or a barracuda.
