– photo by @i_amtherichard
The Caribbean island of Martinique is an overseas region of France, and is home to some wonderful beaches, dramatic mountain landscape, colorful towns and villages and rich architectural heritage. A laid-back island with a relaxed pace of life, Martinique is a happy union of French and West Indian influences.
Sainte-Anne is a vibrant seaside town located in the southernmost corner of Martinique. It is known for its palm-tree lined beaches like Grande Anse des Salines and Pointe Marin. Sainte-Anne’s lively square encompasses a stone church, a market and some great eateries. Even though it sees its fair share of visitors in the high season, you can still feel its laid-back vibe. Apart from beaches, Sainte-Anne is also known for coastal hiking trails and Petrification Savannah – a wildlife park.
Located about 5km south of Sainte-Anne, the golden-sand beach of Plage des Salines is probably the main reason why people visit the village. It is one of the most visited beaches in Martinique and sees about 2 million people annually. Often crowned as the most beautiful beach in Martinique, secluded Plage des Salines (also known as Grande Anse des Salines) is surrounded by calm waters and lined with palm trees. Apart from a few small bars and restaurants and vendors selling fruits and ice-cream, you won’t find much else.
This family-friendly beach is located closer to Sainte-Anne than Plage des Salines. Renowned as the most popular swimming beach in Sainte-Anne, Pointe Marin is a great place to relax and watch boats and ships navigating through the waters. Pointe Marin has several restaurants and bars and can get crowded at times. Club Med Les Boucaniers – one of Martinique’s most luxurious resorts is located right next to the beach.
