When to Go

When to Go

High season runs from mid-November through May, and the island can be quiet the rest of the year, with some hotels closing down for months, particularly in September and October. Those places that remain open offer significant discounts.

Martinique's Carnival begins in February and runs until Lent, not unlike Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

About 20 days into Lent there's a mini-Carnival called Mi-carême; this one-day hiatus from abstinence includes a rash of parties and dances before sober times return until Easter.

Early August sees the Tour des Yoles Rondes point-to-point yawl race.

In odd-numbered years, the early-December Jazz à la Martinique festival usually draws a wide range of international talent, including such top performers as Branford Marsalis.