Manman Dlo is an underwater sculpture present in the city of Saint-Pierre. Manman Dlo means "mermaid of the Martinican seas" in Creole. It is inspired by tales, tradition, and the sacred. The artist Laurent Valère, who is also the author of the statuettes for the Cap 110 Memorial at Le Diamant, wanted to pay tribute to this local myth.

With its 20 tons, the sculpture took possession of the seabed of Saint Pierre since 2004. The face of the mermaid fixes the skies and challenges, the Mount Pelée "mass criminal" according to the artist, referring to the eruption which caused the disappearance of more than 32,000 Pierrotins (Saint-Pierre inhabitants). Set back, its tail is posed, suggesting that the rest of the sculpture is buried under the sand.

In 2015, she was joined by Yemaya, more massive (12 meters long) and very voluptuous. Her gironde silhouette is rather welcoming. Yémaya is three separate parts of a woman's body, placed 9 meters deep, suggesting that a part of the body is buried under the sand. Yemaya is lying with her back to the sun and seems to be searching the sand for answers.

Both are placed in a sanctuary of Martinican and even Caribbean underwater life. The site is renowned for its breathtaking and extraordinary seabed. The aquatic fauna is very important there. Also, fish of all species, sea urchins, starfish, sponges, corals and gorgonians now shelter and reproduce there. These sculptures attract life and offer a never-ending broom of teeming underwater life.

The diver will admire this artistic lair. Manman Dlo and Yemaya are still and luminous, shining thanks to the rays of the sun. According to the artist Laurent Valère, this is only the beginning. The ultimate goal was to create a vast underwater gallery dedicated to the sea and the preservation of the underwater complex. A harmonious way to make humans aware of the natural ecological processes that generate new lives...

To access it, you will have to put on fins or use a canoe-kayak to get to 50 meters from the shore. A buoy located just above the sculptures will show you their location.

Copyright of the photos: https://www.laurentvalereartstudio.com

The mangrove of the Baie de Génipa is mostly located in the commune of Ducos, but also partly in the towns of Rivière-Salée and Trois-Ilets. With 1,200 hectares, it represents 65% of the mangroves in Martinique. This ecosystem provides an excellent interface between land and sea. It includes surface water, groundwater, and marine water, each of which carries solid or dissolved matter: salts, nutrients, organic matter, or pollutants.

Three protected plant species have been recorded in the Bay of Génipa: Oncidium ceboletta, Ammannia coccinea, and Zygia latifolia, an endemic species recently identified: Aechmea reclinata.

The fauna is diverse and this rare species. Six indigenous species, and/or endemic amphibians and reptiles, are identified in the study area. The Gros Ilet and Petit Ilet present a significant interest in terms of conservation of heritage species in the sector.

The presence of protected and endemic species justifies regulatory protection, a ranking of the site, and its recognition as a wetland of international importance.

The Mangrove Bay has an avifaunal diversity (animal wildlife birds) outstanding, with 93 species of birds recorded, including 9 endemic to the Lesser Antilles and one endemic to Martinique. Other vulnerable species in danger of extinction are being observed. Sedentary species are mainly linked to the land domain, they inhabit most of the forest areas or forest edges and the dry savannah tree. This site is the largest migratory staging of Martinique for waterbirds. It is a breeding, feeding and passage for migratory birds.

The whole area is of major interest and is identified as important are for the conservation of birds or crabs.

To get there, you can get to the roundabout of Cocotte neighborhoods and Canal Ducos and continue to the end of the quarter, via Génipa neighborhood near the shopping center, but also the Trois-Ilets neighborhood just before Vatable. Trips canoeing are offered.

Anse Caritan is an adorable beach in the town of Sainte-Anne, which is unquestionably worth the detour, especially for hikers. Indeed, the Trace des Caps road will allow you to visit several beaches in the town, including the latter. Anse Caritan is truly a "postcard" beach.

Its blue water, white sand, and coconut palms will leave you breathless. It's a quiet beach, frequented mainly at weekends by Martinique families.

Anse Caritan offers a wide range of activities. In addition to the possibility of hiking the Trace des Caps, you can go scuba diving, canoeing, sea scootering, or visit the water park. There are no restaurants nearby, so be sure to bring your own if you want to spend the day there.

Beware, however, of the manchineel trees that border it. This tree has sap that can cause severe burns, and its fruit is toxic to health. The sap of mancenillia trees was used by the Carib Indians to poison their arrows.

Red signs are displayed in front of and on the trees concerned.

Once you've passed through the village of Sainte-Anne, turn left and follow the signs. You can also get there on the Trace des Caps hike.

Grande Anse beach of Anse d'Arlet is one of the largest beaches in Martinique. It is also a very quiet beach sheltered from the waves. It is very sunny afternoon and a little windy.

The water is very clear and limpid. It has a platform from which we can see very clearly the sand and the rocks in the water. It is very common to see sea stars or other tropical fish. 

A mask and snorkel are recommended to see the seabed fauna. For snorkeling enthusiasts, a 200-metre trail has been set up by the Conservatoire du Littoral near Cap Salomon at the entrance to the bay. If you see starfish, be aware that they are a protected species in Martinique and that it is strictly forbidden to take them from the water and leave with them.

Diving and canoeing activities are available on the beach for a fee.

It is possible to eat thanks to the numerous restaurants and bars present on the spot along the whole length of the beach.

It's a very quiet beach during the week, but much frequented by families living in the area at weekends.

Be prepared for a lively atmosphere at weekends, and it's possible to get a full taste of local life by listening to local music played on the beach by the bathers present. So this beach may leave a different impression if you go during the week or on a weekend or public holiday.

Anse Pont Café beach will delight tourists and visitors looking for peace. It's a small beach that doesn't get very crowded but offers bathing conditions comparable to the city's other beaches.

Its turquoise-blue water, white sand, and coconut palms have nothing to envy other beaches in the south of the island.

It is near the "Pierre et Vacances" Village water sports center.

It is home to the Okeanos Club, which offers a range of activities including catamaran, kayak and pedal-boat rentals.

To get there from Fort-de-France, head south through the commune of Sainte-Luce towards the "Pierre et Vacances" Village. Signs indicate the entrance.

Corps de Garde is the largest beach in the commune, and also the busiest. It's also the most beautiful beach in the commune, according to residents.

It is located 3 kilometers from the town of Sainte-Luce. The water is clear and the sand is fine blond. Its trees (coconut and grape) provide a welcome shade for picnickers.

You can also visit the marine swimming pool (the only one of its kind in the entire Caribbean archipelago!) located at Corps de Garde. It boasts many facilities (volleyball net, refreshment bar, parking). There are also showers for rinsing off after a swim.

You'll be able to dine on-site with the proximity of restaurants on or near the beach. Swimming is supervised. It's often busy, especially at weekends.

The Club des Gommiers and the "South Discover" association offer a wide range of activities, including introductory sailing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, optimists, catamarans and swimming with flippers.

It's easy to get to, and the signage in the commune makes it fairly straightforward, so head for Sainte-Luce and follow the signs.

Located at the southern entrance to the bay of Le Marin, Pointe Marin beach is one of the island's top 5 most beautiful beaches. Its fine white sand, blue water and coconut palms offering welcome shade make it one of the island's most pleasant swimming spots.

It also has public showers for rinsing off after a swim. The atmosphere is very family-oriented, with families and groups of friends choosing this place to spend the day. At weekends, the site is very lively. So you can enjoy the local warmth, often with live music.

Snacks and refreshment stands are available on-site. Swimming is supervised. Various activities are on offer, including introductory scuba diving (sea outings and water sports equipment hire), canoe-kayak and jet-ski rentals.

Vehicles are required to pay an entrance fee, so remember to bring a few euros (less than €5) if you're coming by car.

To get there, head towards the commune of Sainte-Anne, just before the entrance to the village, where the signs point precisely to this beach.