5 INDEPENDENT SHORE EXCURSIONS ON MARTINIQUE.
When you visit Martinique on a cruise ship, you’ll be presented with no shortage of organised shore excursions, many of them expensive, tightly scheduled, and designed to move large groups around the island. And while there’s absolutely a place for those tours, they’re not the only way to experience Martinique.
If you’d prefer to do things a little more independently, away from the herd and at a far lower cost, Martinique is an excellent choice. The island is remarkably well set up for exploring on your own, with reliable public transport, short travel distances, and attractions that are easy to reach without a car or tour guide.
We chose to explore independently and were so glad we did. Moving at our own pace allowed us to see not just the headline sights, but also the quieter moments in between. Local bus stops, everyday island life, and the lush scenery lining the roads.
These five independent shore excursions are all simple to do from the cruise port and offer a wonderful mix of culture, scenery, and relaxation, showing just how rewarding Martinique can be when you explore it on your own terms.
1/ Explore Fort-de-France
Whether you’re arriving by cruise ship or staying on the island, Fort-de-France is an ideal starting point. The capital is compact, colourful, and full of everyday life, making it easy and rewarding to explore on foot.
Bright Creole buildings sit alongside bustling markets, boulangeries waft the scent of fresh bread and pastry onto the street, and music and lively chatter compete for your ears .It feels unapologetically local, vibrant, a little chaotic, and completely charming.
Some of the city’s most memorable sights include the striking Schoelcher Library, which is particularly impressive from the outside, and the gothic Cathedrale Saint-Louis, whose interior feels surprisingly light and peaceful. Both are free to enter.
Parc La Savane offers a welcome green space to pause and people-watch, while the Malecon promenade provides cooling sea breezes and lovely views across the bay.
Best of all, Fort-de-France is incredibly easy to reach. From the cruise port, it’s less than a five-minute walk into the heart of the city.
You can find our guide to the best things to do in Fort-de-France here.
2/ Visit Pointe du Bout
If Fort-de-France feels energetic and bustling, Pointe du Bout feels calm, elegant, and quietly glamorous. Despite being just across the bay, it feels like a completely different side of the island.
Getting there couldn’t be simpler. The Blue Lines ferry departs from right next to the cruise port, and the crossing takes less than ten minutes. Once you step off the boat, the pace of life noticeably slows.
Pointe du Bout is perfect for a relaxed wander. The marina is dotted with boats gently bobbing on the water, boutique shops line the nearby streets, and there are plenty of pleasant spots to stop for a drink or a leisurely French-style lunch. It reminded us of the Côte d’Azur but with palm trees, bougainvillea, and Caribbean light.
You can find our guide to Pointe du Bout here.
3/ Anse a l’ane Beach
Another area you can visit using the Blue Line ferry is Anse à l’Âne beach. We weren’t able to venture this way as the ferries weren’t running – a risk when the weather is windy.
The beach is large with white sand and palm trees. There are also restaurants nearby, making it an easy “all in one” option.
4/ Balata Gardens
High in the hills above Fort-de-France, Balata Gardens are one of the island’s most beautiful and memorable attractions. Visiting independently is straightforward, and the journey itself, winding through lush greenery, is part of the experience.
Balata Gardens are best described as a pleasure garden rather than a traditional botanical collection. Everything is designed to delight the senses, from vibrant tropical flowers to serene ponds filled with lily pads. One of the most magical moments comes just after entering the gardens, where hummingbirds gather in surprising numbers around the feeders.
Suspended footbridges offer a unique perspective from above the treetops, while panoramic viewpoints look out across rainforest-covered hills.
We spent around two hours wandering at an unhurried pace, and it was a true highlight of our time in Martinique.
You can find our detailed guided to visiting Balata Gardens here.
5/ La Française Bay
Just a short walk from the centre of Fort-de-France, La Française Bay offers an easy and surprisingly pleasant seaside escape. While it’s not a wild or remote Caribbean beach, it’s perfect for a quick swim or a relaxed hour by the water. And totally free to get there and relax.
With views back toward the city and the surrounding bay, La Française Bay is ideal if you want to combine sightseeing with a refreshing dip. It’s especially appealing if you’re short on time but still want to experience the sea during your visit.
Best of all, Fort-de-France has lots of lovely boulangeries and supermarkets – all of which are excellent value. So you can grab yourself a few bits for a beach picnic.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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