Well known for the Cousteau Family’s marine reserve, the Caribbean island of Martinique has had its share of notability with regard to its marine environment. Although the country is not famous for deep-sea diving, to visit Martinique and not dive the water’s great depths would be a significant missed opportunity. The island’s geography, especially along its Western coastline, is jagged, creating many bays and coves that offer divers great protection from the open Atlantic and the Caribbean, each which crash upon its rocky shores.
Although scuba divers in Martinique may have to make some concessions to the local fishermen–who in some areas, seem to rule the waters–there are several island coves where the dive sites are alive with active marine life and visibility is good. Because of the strong currents in Martinique, some coves offer more protection than others. However, there is diving available to beginners as well as advanced, thanks to a few coves that are well-protected from strong currents and swells.
Diving the Coves in Martinique’s North
La Perle
If divers want to start at the top of the island and work their way down the coast, La Perle is a great deep water dive to start the exploration. La Perle is located on the Dominica channel, and this unique volcanic rock dive site features several reef walls located less than two miles off the shore line. These reefs start around 65 feet and plunge to depths of about 200 feet below the water’s surface, making it a great site for obtaining an advanced certificate (advanced or experienced divers only can visit this site due to occasional strong currents and depths). Because La Perle is one of the islands most protected sites in Martinique, it is teeming with wildlife. The fish life is especially very rich. Barracudas, schools of horse eye jackfish, groupers, snappers and parrotfish abound. Also, scuba divers are likely to catch a turtle in the waters of La Perle.
Le-Sous Marin
Beginners, too, can be captivated by the coves in Martinique. Specifically, the excitement at Le-Sous Marin begins just below the surface and continues to 20 meters. The sunken remains of a submarine wreck make for an interesting dive alongside a natural maze of canyons, caves and passages. The sites at Le-Sour Marin are this brimming with tropical fish, Brazilian crayfish, coralfish, murenes, lobsters, sturgeons and turtles. The shelter of the cove makes currents low for all levels of divers to enjoy the view comfortably.
Saint-Pierre Bay Shipwrecks
When Mount Pelee erupted in 1902, several ships that were docked in Martinique’s waters were shipwrecked by its eruption. Today, fourteen ships now rest on the bottom of St-Pierre's bay in Martinique. Some of the wrecks are more accessible than others, and levels of diving ability range from beginner to expert. The Raisinier is one of the only wrecks accessible to beginners. Other wrecks include The Diamant (25 m depth), The Roraima (60 m depth), and The Teresa Lo Vigo (35 m depth). Saint-Pierre is one of the better wreck diving sites in the Caribbean with so much to offer all within one location.
Diving the Sites of Anses d’Arlet
Nahoon Wreck
After exploring the north, divers can head to the captivating coves around Martinique’s Anses d’ Arlet for more wreck and reef excitement. The wreck of The Nahoon, a magnificent three-masted schooner, lies near Anses d’Arlet in 37 meters of water. The vessel sunk on a sandbar in 1994 and is now a public diving site for advanced divers. The ship’s holds and helm are accessible for divers to explore. Marine life surrounding the wreck is abundant with crayfish, kingfish, Java moray eels, barracudas and a few other species that are attracted to the wreck’s habitat. Divers also have the opportunity to visit this wreck at night time, guided by certain dive operators on the island.
Pointe Burgos Reef and Wall
Also within the Anses d’Arlet area, Pointe Burgos offers a shallower site for beginners to explore. The dive sites at Pointe Burgos are accessible to all divers, with beginners enjoying a 40-foot plateau encrusted with barrel sponges, and experienced divers delighting in the vertical reef wall which plunges to depths of 180 feet where advanced and technical divers can continue on. Marine life on the wall at Point Burgos includes barrel sponges, angelfish, gray snapper, grunts, stingrays, turtles, spider crabs and Java moray eels. It is one of the more ecologically diverse sites in all of Martinique, placing it on a must-dive list if you visit the country.
The Southern Coves of Martinique’s Coast
Diamond Rock
Last, but certainly not least, Martinique’s Southern coves promise similar excitement as the other sites along the jagged coastline of this Caribbean island. Diamond rock is located about 3 miles off Martinique’s southern coast, and is possibly the most famous site in Martinique. A remarkable fault about 52 feet below the surface is surrounded by descending “shelves” full of rainbow-colored flora and fauna. Experienced divers can explore the reef wall.
Point Borgenesse
Perhaps most suitable for a grand finale is Point Borgnesse, one of the calmest and clearest sites in Martinique. The exceptional visibility makes the site enjoyable for both beginners and advanced divers. The site is also great for snorkeling, as underwater viewing of marine life begins at just 3 m (10 feet) below the surface. If you’re in to wrapping up things with a relaxing dive, this is the farewell dive to take.