Martinique is one of the largest islands in the Lesser Antilles; it is 50 miles ( 80 km ) long and 22 miles ( 35 km ) wide. The volcanic Mont Pelee in the north and Les Pitons du Carbet in the central section are the main peaks on this mountainous island.
It is easy to see why the Carib Indians once designated Martinique as the Isle of Flowers - bougainvillea, hibiscus, anthuriums, bamboo and wild orchids deck the woodlands; forests with many varieties of flowering trees rim the hills. Plantation fields with crops containing bananas, pineapples, sugarcane and coffee can be found throughout this fertile island. Martinique's tropical visage is scarred only by the ruins of St Pierre, the result of an eruption of Mont Pelee in 1902.
Beaches of white, ochre and silver-gray volcanic sand offer unlimited opportunities for swimming, skin diving, scuba diving, water skiing and other aquatic sports. Among the island's most popular beaches are Diammant Beach, about 21 miles ( 34 km ) from Fort-de-France on the southwest coast, and the sandy strand at Salines near Ste. Anne. Scuba diving services, including courses for beginners, are available to guests at hotels in the Pointe-du-Bout and Diamant resort areas and elsewhere.
The Pointe-du-Bout area is also a popular spot for sailing. Large boats can be chartered at Pointe-du- Bout and through Moorings, Stardust and several other charter companies at the island's largest marina in Marin. Memberships of most U.S. yachht clubs are honored at the two yacht clubs in Fort-de France. Most of the larger hotels and the marina at Fort-de-France charter boats for deep-sea fishing.
Other recreational pursuits include horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing, tennis and golf. An alternate to the resort environment is camping. Campgrounds with showers are found in Ste. Anne, Trois-Ilets and Le Vauclin. Horseback rides through the country and cane fields are conducted through several private clubs and ranches.
A fine 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. is at Trois-Ilets near the Pointe-du-Bout marina-hotel area. Besides the hotel tennis courts, the tennis clubs in Fort-de-France and Lamentin, as well as the Golf Country Club, offer temporary memberships to visiting players. Spectator sports include soccer matches, held every Sunday at the stadium in Fort-de France.
More than 350 restaurants in Martinique have elevated Creole and French cooking to its highest level of artistic perfection. Most hotels and restaurants include a 10 to 15 percent service charge in their prices or add it to the final bill.
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