The Best Scuba Diving & Snorkelling Spots in Martinique

15 July 2024 5 min

Enjoy the enchanting underwater paradise of Martinique. The volcanic island features warm, crystal-clear waters, a mountainous landscape, white-sand beaches and jungle hikes, ideal for adventurous souls to explore the island’s best highlights.

Diving in Martinique is versatile for all diving levels, with endless options of diving sites across the island, from colorful marine life on the island’s southern tip to famous shipwrecks on the north coast. Scuba divers will thrive on the level of exploration and fascinating sites to discover beneath the water’s edge.

If you’re planning a sailing holiday and seeking some of the Caribbean’s premier diving spots, Martinique offers an underwater haven that’s a scuba diver’s dream.

We’ve shared the best scuba diving in Martinique and the essential information to know when planning your trip to the blissful Caribbean island. We’ll be covering:

Is diving in Martinique easy?
When are the best conditions to dive in Martinique?
The best diving sites in Martinique
Booking your yacht charter in Martinique

Is diving in Martinique easy?

As a beautiful diving hub for beginners and advanced divers, Martinique is open to everyone visiting its various sites. The diving sites usually range from novice to advanced, and your experience can determine the options on where to visit.

Anyone diving in Martinique needs to be a qualified diver to dive independently. If you’re unqualified, you must be with a qualified professional on a group excursion or private instructor to visit the dive sites. The beauty of a sailing holiday is having the means to travel around the Caribbean on your own accord.

When are the best conditions to dive in Martinique?

You can have the pleasure of scuba diving in Martinique all year round due to clear visibility and warm average temperatures of 79-82°F.

For optimal visibility, the best time for a diving trip to Martinique is between December and May.

The currents can vary from weak to strong depending on the dive site, but local dive centres can offer more precise readings when you visit. With many dive shops across the island, you can ask any questions you need before planning which dive sites to visit.

Find out more about when to visit the Caribbean for the ultimate scuba diving experience.

The best diving sites in Martinique

Diamond Rock

Diving level: Advanced

Depth: 15m

As Martinique’s most famous diving site, the legendary Diamond Rock (Rocher du Diamant) should be at the top of your must-see list. Located south of the island, Diamond Rock boasts a diverse and abundant marine life to explore.

The 574-foot-tall rock formation remains due to volcanic activity, where divers can swim and explore the unknown. Discover the famous arch, stunning caves, colourful corals, drop-offs and endless wildlife, from moray eels and dancing damsels to barrel sponges. The clarity of water visibility adds to the incredible experience.

Experienced divers can challenge themselves to the steep drop-offs and enjoy the complete ‘wow’ factor as they witness the marine life and underwater history.

Nahoon Shipwreck

Diving level: Novice – advanced

Depth: 33m

Next up on our best diving in Martinique list is the Nahoon shipwreck. History lovers and adventurers will love diving to witness the well-preserved Nahoon shipwreck. The ship sank in 1993, and after 1999, due to a hurricane, only the front part remained intact.

Due to its slightly shallower depth, novice divers and snorkellers can enjoy the wreck, but it’s more suitable for experienced divers. You can visit the ship’s deck, cabins and holds, covered in bright and bold marine life.

You’ll spot everything from kingfish, damselfish, crayfish, angel fish, eels, barrel sponges, soft corals, barracudas, gorgonians and turtles, including the Hawksbill turtle, native to Martinique, across the boat and behind the helm. The beauty of Nahoon is phenomenal.

Anse Dufour

Diving level: Novices

Depth: 25m

On the island’s west coast, Anse Dufour is a paradise for novice divers and snorkellers to see some of the best marine life and crystal-clear waters Martinique offers. With calm and transparent waters, snorkelers can spot tropical fish in the middle of the bay and on the rocks.

Anse Dufour features an underwater kingdom to remember, with the chance to spot turtles, dolphins, stingrays, barracudas and colourful coral gardens. You’ll adore the breathtaking underwater scenery and sheltered waters in the southern bays.
Can’t wait to uncover the treasures of the Caribbean Sea? Start planning your bespoke Martinique sailing itinerary today.

The Great Caye of Sainte-Luce

Diving level: All levels

Depth: 10-25m

As an easily accessible dive site, you can see why we added it to our best diving in Martinique list. Any diver can explore the wonder of the Great Caye of Sainte-Luce. The beautiful 660ft long reef is considered one of the most ecologically biodiverse reef sites in the region, ideal for spotting various types of tropical marine life. To ensure you preserve the marine life and their natural habitat, take a look at our eco-friendly sailing tips ahead of your Martinique yacht charter.

Located southeast of Les Anses d’Arlet, prepare for a colourful underwater scene. Spot a rich diversity of coral and tropical sand. This diving site is also recommended for night diving to witness squids, crustaceans emerging from their homes and roaming around the underwater space, and sleeping parrotfish. You won’t need to dive too deeply to see the magic happen.

Cape Solomon

Diving level: Novice – Advanced

Depth: 15m

As an area of multiple dive sites, with options for every diver level, Cape Solomon features beauty above and below the water’s edge. Located along the scenic Anse d’Arlet coastline, with its white sand and sloping rock walls, divers have plenty to discover beneath the serene waters.

The Martinique diving spot is known as ‘the pool’ due to its calm nature and easy access for drivers. Explore the underwater arches through corals and caves, larger stretches of colourful reefs and another small pool the further south you go.

Divers can see marine life thriving as they swim along, from crustaceans wandering along to tentacles poking out of rocks. Keep your eyes peeled for reef fish, bluehead wrasse, damselfish and barracuda. It’s a place that just keeps on giving to the eye.

Book your yacht charter for Martinique today

A sailing holiday is the perfect way to explore Martinique’s beauty above and beneath the water’s edge, whether travelling with your partner or on a family holiday.

Chartering a yacht provides freedom to explore the dive sites on your own accord, roaming around the waters on a schedule suitable for you and your group.

Ready to dive into Martinique’s spectacular underwater world? Book your yacht charter today and tailor your itinerary to include these top dive sites, ensuring a truly memorable Caribbean adventure.