Shop a Review

The island of Martinique, together with Guadeloupe, forms the French Antilles and is one of the so-called Windward Islands in the Caribbean. The island has a tropical climate (Af), with every month a chance of a spicy shower and temperatures that do not differ much on an annual basis. The difference between the hottest and coldest days is only a few degrees, both during the day and at night. This is partly due to the constant temperature of the sea water, its location in relation to the equator and the slightly cooling northeasterly wind that is always present.

The island

The northern part of the island is greener and less accessible than the south. There is usually more and longer precipitation here than in the south. The trade winds that blow from the northeast also make for rougher coasts on this side of the island. The interior – especially in the higher parts – is slightly cooler than the coastal areas. In the south you will find the beautiful tropical beaches, which many tourists visit the island for. Here the weather is generally a bit more stable than on the rest of the island and you will find most hotels and resorts.

Precipitation

Rain falls throughout the year, less in the spring and considerably more in the autumn. Especially in the period from January to May, the showers are more intense in character, so they often do not last long. In the wet season, which runs from June to November, showers can last longer and, under the influence of tropical depressions, it is quite possible that it rains for large parts of the day.

Hurricanes

Martinique is located in an area with a fairly high hurricane activity. During the hurricane season, which runs from June to November, the island is likely to be hit by hurricanes (hurricanes) or tropical storms. This is most likely in the months of September and October. Don’t think it hits Martinique every year. No Fortunately not. On average, Martinique is hit by a hurricane once every few years. The chance that there will be nuisance due to the proximity of a hurricane is somewhat greater. If a hurricane passes hundreds of kilometers away, it can cause a lot of rain in Martinique, increasing winds and higher waves on the coast.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Best time to visit Martinique

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Martinique? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. The tropical island of Martinique is an overseas department of France located in the Caribbean. It is striking that as part of France, Martinique also belongs to the European Union. The fourteenth of July is a national holiday, at the bakery you get croissants and baguettes that you then pay with the euro. However, Martinique is not part of the Schengen Agreement, so you do need a passport to travel to Martinique.

Martinique has a beautiful tropical landscape that is mainly mountainous and difficult to access in the north. The south of the island is more varied and accessible. This is where you will find the most and most beautiful beaches. The majority of tourists stay in the coastal areas in the southern part of Martinique. The tropical climate ensures that it is always warm on the island. There is an almost always present trade wind blowing from the east. In the second half of the year, there is a five to ten percent chance that the wind will blow from a different wind direction, with the greatest chance of southerly directions. Martinique has a dry season and a rainy season. The wet season starts in May and lasts until late November, sometimes into December.

Best months

Because there are few differences in temperatures, the best time to travel to Martinique is determined by the precipitation pattern and the chance of serious bad weather. The period from February to April is the best time to travel to Martinique. It makes little difference whether you go for a beach holiday or to actively discover the island. The month of January is also quite pleasant, with the caveat that there is a greater chance of heavy clouds and rain showers.

Hurricanes

Martinique is located in a region where there is a risk of severe tropical depressions from June to early December. They can turn into a hurricane. It is not the case that Martinique has to deal with a hurricane every year. On average, this happens once every few years. However, there is a chance that hurricane activity in the area will cause heavier rainfall and stronger winds.