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Best Time To Visit Martinique
Martinique is hot and sunshiny year-round with December to May considered to be the absolute best time of year to visit due to it having the lowest rainfall. While the wet season, from June to November, does have more rainy days, it has a slightly higher temperature and fewer people visit Martinique at this time of year. If great weather is your priority, then the dry season is the best time to go, but if you’d rather have a quiet holiday with fewer tourists around then the wet season will still be warm and sunny. Read on to find out more about the best time of year to visit Martinique for your perfect trip to paradise.
Average weather in Martinique
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Weather in Martinique
As it is close to the equator Martinique is hot all year round and is considered to have a tropical climate. It is wetter than some of the other Caribbean islands with around 20 days of rain each month from June-November. There's even rain up to half the days in a month during much of the dry season, but the rainfall also varies depending on which part of the island you're staying in. For example, the northern region has more rainfall but that’s what allows the dense rainforests of this area to flourish. The south comparatively has drier weather throughout the year.
The wet season is also the time the island is most likely to get hurricanes or storms. The highest risk period for this is August to October. As Martinique is within the hurricane belt of the Caribbean, travelling in those few months may not be ideal for your holiday.
Seasonality in Martinique
Although Martinique draws tourists year-round for its beautiful weather, there are still two main seasons: peak season and low season.
Peak season in Martinique
This is, understandably, the busiest time of year as the rainfall and storms are the lowest. The peak season runs from December to April which is during the dry season and key special days of the year, such as Christmas, New Year and Easter. At this time the temperature generally falls between 21-28°c and the sea is around 27°c. Taking a dip in the sea will feel like stepping into a warm bath, even in the middle of winter! Because the weather is so great, this is also the busiest time of year. You'll need to secure your hotel booking preferably more than six months in advance, so you don’t miss out. This is especially true if you're hoping to go to a smaller hotel instead of a large resort.
Low season in Martinique
Low season is much wetter and slightly hotter. In Martinique, it will rain most of the days between April-November. Like any Caribbean island, a shower of rain will be quickly followed by a beaming hot sun to dry everything right up again.
There is a risk of hurricanes during this season, mainly in September and October, so make sure your travel insurance covers any problems that may arise due to this. With that being said, hurricanes don’t often hit Martinique, and on average it's only affected once every eight years. So, you can still holiday at this time of year.
Low season would be ideal if you're booking last minute as you're more likely to find better hotel availability. Hotel prices will also be much cheaper at this time of year and there won't be as many other visitors so you'll be able to enjoy some of the prettiest beaches and best tourist spots to yourself.
Crystal clear waters
A world of green with lush vegetation
Events and festivals all year long
A rich history and vibrant culture
Distinctive culinary delights
Holidays in Martinique
Martinique is a breathtaking oasis of the natural world. Nicknamed the 'island of flowers' by its first inhabitants, you're guaranteed to be blown away by the sights it has to offer. As if that alone wasn’t enough of an appeal, Martinique has a wonderful selection of activities for your visit...
If you’re looking to catch some rays, there's no better time than the dry season, running from December to May, since no one wants to catch an impromptu shower mid tan. Although the temperature drops lower during this season, the lowest it gets is approximately 21°c. That’s still hot enough to enjoy a good sunbathing session. The sea temperature stays around 27-28°c even in December!
The dry season, running from December to May, is the best time for getting in the water in Martinique. With less rain and storms, the visibility in the water is much better. Although it may still rain between December and May, it's much less frequent than in the wet season so the chances of seeing clearly in the water are much higher.
The best time for surfing in Martinique is from autumn to spring, specifically, October to March. The rainy season actually ends in November and encompasses hurricane season. It’s the period just after this peak hurricane season that you get the best winds to create ideal surfing waves as you get swells coming down from the north Atlantic coast. If you surf in Martinique in October there's more of a chance of unpredictable swells and potentially strong offshore winds, however, if you’re an experienced surfer you might prefer this, as there's a higher chance of longer riding surfable waves. November onwards is more ideal for beginner surfers or kite surfing.
Ideally, you'd want to go sightseeing in the dry season, from December to May, as some tours and activities may have a reduced service during the wet season. Activities like hiking up the mountains or in the rainforest in the dry season give clearer skies for a better view. Cycling and golf are also better suited for the dry season in Martinique.
Month by month guide to visiting Martinique
Martinique in January
January is a great time to go to Martinique as the weather is at its best and there are lots of options for excursions or tours. This is one of the cooler months of the year but even then, it still doesn’t get lower than 21°c. Some hotels will celebrate Epiphany (La Fête des Rois) on the first Sunday after New Year’s Day and the island begins its preparations for the 5 days of Carnival celebrations in February.
Martinique in February
February has even better weather than January with the lowest number of rainy days of the year, and warm sunny weather throughout. This month brings the beginning of the sugar cane harvest and rum distilleries on the island offer visitors gours and samples of their products.
Depending on when Easter falls, February can host the first day of Carnival in Martinique. The island also hosts the Sailing Week of Schoelcher, usually falling at the end of the month and sometimes spanning into March. This week-long sailing regatta brings participants from worldwide. It's been running for over 30 years and still has over 100 participants arrive annually.
Martinique in March
March is often cited as one of the best months to visit Martinique. It is one of the driest months of the year and Carnival often takes place (dates vary each year with Easter). Carnival in Martinique might turn out to be the best party you’ve ever been to, with music and celebrations for four days straight. During this time no businesses are open since the whole island gets involved, so if you're on holiday then just be aware your options may be limited in terms of going on excursions or out to eat.
Martinique in April
Temperatures start creeping up in April, with highs of about 29°c. With this comes slightly more rain. April still falls within peak season and is a popular time for holidaymakers, especially around Easter. Make sure to get your booking in early if you want to visit Martinique in April.
April is one of the greatest times to visit the island if you're a foodie as there are two crab festivals, Foire aux Crabes and Le Pince d'Or Crab Festival, that are full of delicious crab dishes.
Martinique in May
May brings even hotter weather and more rainfall than in previous months. There are several Public Holidays in May where all business will be closed, including May Day on the 1st, Victory Day on May the 8th, Ascension Thursday (date varies), Pentecost Monday (date varies) and Abolition Day on 22nd. Abolition Day celebrates the end of slavery for Martinicans. There are often marches and events around the country to commemorate the revolts that led to slaveries abolition.
Martinique in June
June is the start of the low season and the start of the rainy season. There will be over 23 days on average of rain this month and temperatures will be fairly hot, not dropping below 23°c at the coldest. There aren't many big or national events in June, nor are there any public holidays. Travelling at this time of year has its benefits - lower prices and quieter beaches. You could get away with booking last minute as there won't be as high a demand for holidays at this time.
Martinique in July
Despite July being one of the hottest and wettest times of the year, it's jam-packed full of huge events in the Martinican calendar.
The Yole Boat Festival (Tour des Yoles Rondes) is a boat race using traditional Martinican Yole style boats. Competitors come from other parts of the Caribbean as well as Martinique, and the race ends in a big Carnival-style party.
Other events in July include Tour De Martinique, a cycle race that spans several days and brings out spectators from the island over, Bastille Day and Cultural Festival of Fort-de-France.
Martinique in August
August generally has fewer rainy days than July, therefore could be a nice time to go to Martinique to enjoy all the wonderful events at this time of year. The Tour De Martinique and Yole Boat Race usually span into this month too. Other events in August include the Biguine Jazz festival and the Round Skiff Tour of Martinique.
Martinique in September
September is still part of the rainy season and is the peak time for hurricanes and tropical storms. It is the hottest time of year the island and the sea are warmest, averaging about 29°c. Some expert surfers like to surf at this time of year as you do get very big surfable waves, however, they can be unpredictable and risky. Events in September include local European Heritage Days, celebrating French food and culture.
Martinique in October
October is slightly cooler than previous months but is still very wet with average humid temperatures of 29°c. This is still part of peak hurricane season so be cautious if you are travelling to Martinique this month.
It is still in the low season so the prices will be more affordable than later in the year. When the weather starts to improve at the end of the month there is the International Sports Fishing Tournament, a huge fishing competition held yearly, and the International Day of Creole on the 28th to celebrate French creole culture.
Martinique in November
The rainy season comes to an end in November so the sea is much more predictable, and the weather may be slightly less wet and temperatures feel fresher.
November is also full of big events such as Toussaint (All Saints Day) which is celebrated on the first and second of November. This is a big Christian holiday and much like Christmas, people spend it with their families celebrating.
The International Half Marathon of Fort-De-France, another jazz festival and Armistice Day is also celebrated in November in Martinique.
Martinique in December
The weather drastically improves in December. Temperatures cool down but stay above 21°c, and the tourists come flooding back in, marking the start of the peak season.
December in Martinique is very busy with Christmas and the Chanté Nwel celebrations that come with it. Chanté Nwel actually lasts from the first day of December right up until Christmas day. It consists of people gathering and singing traditional hymns, with food and drink to aid the celebration.
Other events in Martinique at this time of year include the Festival of Rum and Martinique Jazz Festival.
Best time to visit Martinique frequently asked questions
The weather in Martinique is the best between December and May as it’s the least rainy time of year and you still get great sunshine with average temperatures between 21-28°.
December to May is the dry season in Martinique. Although you might still get a few rainy spells, they will be few and far between compared to the rainy season.
May to November is the rainy season in Martinique where there are 20 days of rain each month on average. It is hotter than the dry season with an average temperature of over 25°c.
It is the quietest in Matrtinique during the rainy season but specifically from May to November. This is mostly due to frequent rainfall and the potential for hurricanes which deters holidaymakers.
Peak season in Martinique is during the dry season as the better weather brings increased people to the island. Hotels and resorts are often full at this time of year.
The low season is during the rainy season in Martinique, from May to November. This is the easiest time to secure a hotel room for as it will be far less busy.