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 Mount
Pelee towers above the island of Martinique, in the West Indies. Since 1902, it is one of the most famous volcanos
on Earth; its eruption led to the destruction of the entire city of Saint-Pierre, with its 28,000 inhabitants.
Martinique is the largest of the the islands in the French West Indies at 425 square miles, and is a mix of cosmopolitan
cities, rural fishing villages, remarkably beautiful beaches, and tropical rain forests. Visitors will find plenty
of activities to fill each day. More than a hundred miles of marked trails wind through the island. The Parc Naturel
protects much of the forest and offers fabulous  hiking, including the popular Trace des Jésuites. Those who prefer to drive will enjoy La Route
de la Trace, an excellent road that cuts across interior mountains covered in luxuriant foliage.
Beaches along the southern coast have white-sand and calm Caribbean water for swimming and sunning. On the Atlantic
side, black-sand beaches provide protected coves and good waves for watersports. Reefs along the southwestern coast
make for interesting snorkeling and divers can explore sunken ships in Saint-Pierre Harbor. Fishing is a way of
life on Martinique and the deep Gulf Stream waters are filled with game fish.
Climate 71 - 86F 22 - 30C
Water Temp 79 -82F 26 - 27C
Visibility Average 80 - 100 ft 24 - 30 m
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