Diving and Snorkeling in Martinique

Colorful reef and tropical fish, hidden caves and sunken ships; these are just a few of the things you will find under the sea just off the coast of Martinique.  Grab a snorkel or a dive suit, dip your head underwater, and explore the mysterious aquatic world.
Diving vs. Snorkeling
Although the purpose of both diving and snorkeling is to explore what lies bellow the surface of the ocean, and though the activities can often be done in the same locations, diving and snorkeling are each very different sports. 
Scuba diving is hands down the most popular type of diving, and occurs when the diver dons a scuba tanks (SCUBA stands for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus”) to dive deep below the water's surface.  This aids divers in getting a closer look at the ocean floor, shipwrecks, and reef formations.
Snorkelers can still explore underwater, but they cannot go quite as deep.  Instead, the wear goggles, swimfins, and a snorkel (a tube that the snorkeler puts in their mouth, and sticks out of the top of the water, allowing them to breath air in and without drinking in water).
Often times, Martinique's larger resorts offer snorkeling equipment as a perk for staying with them, and others even have diving certification courses in on-property pools.  In order to go diving in Martinique, it is required that you have certification, which you can obtain after a day of lessons with a local dive shop.
Once you've prepared yourself for the dive, you're ready to take the plunge.  If you choose to book a tour with a dive shop expect to spend between EUR 40 and EUR 50.
Listed below are Martinique's dive shops that offer lessons, equipment, and tours.  You'll find that speaking French will help you to gain the best diving experience on the island, but there are a few shops that employ English speakers.  Call around to find the best fit for you.
Name
Location
Contact
Acqua Sud
Diamant
596-76-51-01
Amis de Neptune
Trois-Ilets
596-66-18-02
Alpha Plongee
Grande Anse
596-48-30-34
Autor de leau
Le Carbet
N/A
Balaou Club
Trois-Ilets
596-66-07-61
Club Nautique de Neptune
La Lamentin
596-51-73-24
Corema
Fort-de-France
596-70-32-30
Country Club de Shoelcher
Shoelcher
596-61-20-01
Corail Club Caraïbes
Trois-Ilets
596-68-36-36
Crazy Frog
Anse Cafard
596-48-32-17
Ile Bleue
Pointe du Bout
596-66-10-13
Kalinago
Ste-Anne
596-76-92-98
Kermoal Charter
Le Marin
596-74-92-67
Lychée Plongée
Pointe du Bout
596-66-05-26
Okéanos Club
Ste-Luce
596-62-52-36
Planete Bleue
Trois-Ilets
596-66-08-70
Plongée Caritan
Ste-Anne
596-76-81-31
Plongée Passion
Les Anses d’Arlet
596-76-15-62
Ste-Luce Plongée
Ste-Luce
596-62-40-06
Sub Evasion
Trois-Ilets
N/A
Tropica Sub Plongée
St-Pierre
596-78-38-03

Sites with Sights
Martinique is one of the Caribbean islands that is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.  For divers, this means that there are many numerous, and diverse, underwater habitats to explore. 
Snorkelers won't miss out in Martinique, either.  The coast is surrounded by beautiful reefs teeming with tropical fish.  Some of the top snorkeling spots around the island are on the east coast, and include Anses d'Arlet, Anse Dufour, Anse Mitan, Anse Noire, Cap Chevalier, Pointe du Bout, and Ste-Anne.  You can head out on your own and pick a spot that seems pleasing to you, but many of the dive shops offer snorkeling tours, where guides will take you to top spots that are sure to amaze.

Wreck Sites
There are numerous ship and boat wreck sites off the coast of Martinique, many of which sank when Mt. Pele erupted in 1902.   To really grasp the enormity of the destruction Mt. Pele's eruption caused, a trip to Mt. Pele is in order.  After you've visited the mountain, exploring the wreck sites will be that much more moving.  The 14 ships sank by the Mt. Pele  eruption are known as the “Shipwrecks of Saint-Pierre” and include the “Diamant,” “Theresa Lo Vigo,” and the “Roraima.”
Most wreck sites are quite deep, or in rough waters, and it is recommended that only experienced divers try and reach them.  If you are not sure about the ability level required to reach a dives site you are interested in, contact a local dive operation and ask their advice.  Luckily, there are many other coves and reefs that inexperiences divers can explore around Martinique, and the “Raisiner,” once a transportation barge now flipped on its side off the west coast, is one of the few wreck sites accessible by novices. 
Sites for more experienced divers include the “Dahlia,” a 1960s wooden boat covered in coral, the “Nahoon” a three-level master schooner than sank in 1994, and the “Westsider” which sank in 2004.

Other Dive Sites
Site
Location
Description
Depth
Atlantica
Cabri Island
Caves
10 to 35 meters
Barracuda Point
Sister Rocks
Coral Garden
75 feet
Barradive
N/A
Coral reef
5 to 20 meters
Barrone Dive
N/A
Cliff, caves
33 meters
China Town
Frigate Island
Coral garden
75 feet
Deep Blue
Sister Rocks
Reef, rock garden
130 feet
Diamond Rock
N/A
Reef wall
5 to 200 feet
Divers Surprise
Sandy Island
Reef
75 feet
FouFoune Dive
N/A
N/A
16 to 50 meters
La Perle
Dominica Chanel
Rock formation
0 to 200 feet
Le Sous-Marin
N/A
Canyons, caves
0 to 65 feet
Les 3 Vallees
N/A
Sand banks, valleys
N/A
Magic Garden
Mabouya Island
Reef, rock garden
66 feet
Millenium 2000
Jack-A-Dan
Reef
72 feet
Petit Mur
N/A
Cliff
12 to 20 meters
Point Borgnesse
N/A
N/A
10 to 100 feet
Pointe Burgos
Anse d'Arlet
Rocks, sponges, reef wall
0 to 180 feet
Poulpe Dive
N/A
N/A
1 to 50 meters
Ralf Dive
N/A
Cliff
12 to 20 meters
Sharky's Hideaway
Mabouya Island
Reef, rock garden, canyons
75 feet
Turtle
N/A
N/A
15 to 30 meters
Tombant du lieutenant
N/A
Cliff
20 to 60 meters
Western Adventure
Sandy Island
Reef
75 feet
World of Dreams
Mabouya Island
Reef
72 feet

With over 20 operators and 30 dive sites, you can't go wrong when planning a snorkeling or diving trip to Martinique.