Josephine's Bath and Le Francois Islets Boat Trip

Le François and Its Islets

Le François is a fishing and sailing town on the Atlantic coast of Martinique, in the east of the island. Offshore, a coral barrier reef shelters a wide lagoon scattered with small islets, the îlets du François, some wild and wooded, others with old Creole houses hidden among the trees. The reef breaks the Atlantic swell, so the water inside is calm, shallow and clear, ideal for exploring by small boat.

Your trip starts from our boat base on the Le François waterfront. As the boat leaves the harbour, the captain-guide explains the history of the islets, many of which once belonged to sugar plantation families, and the fishing traditions of the town. A Le François islets boat tour is the easiest way to see this protected coastline, as most of the islets cannot be reached by road and the best spots are only accessible by sea.

The White Sandbanks of Le François

Between the islets lie the famous fonds blancs, the white seabeds of Le François. Here the bottom is made of fine white coral sand only a metre or so below the surface, and the sunlight turns the water a glowing pale turquoise that looks almost unreal in photos. The colour shifts from milky blue over the sand to deep green over seagrass and dark blue in the channels.

The boat moves slowly over the sandbanks so you can take in the view and spot fish, starfish and rays in the shallows. These white seabeds are among the most photographed sights in Martinique, and they are at their brightest in the middle of the day when the sun is high. On the afternoon departure, the light is softer and the colours warmer, which many photographers prefer.

Îlet Chancel, the Iguana Island

North of Le François, off the coast of Le Robert, lies Îlet Chancel, the largest islet in Martinique. It is a protected natural site and one of the last refuges of the Lesser Antillean iguana, a critically endangered reptile found only on a few Caribbean islands, which is why locals call it the island of iguanas. The islet also holds the ruins of old lime kilns and a plantation estate from the colonial period.

The boat approaches the shore of Îlet Chancel while the guide tells the story of the iguanas and the conservation work that protects them. With patience you may see iguanas sunning themselves on rocks or branches near the water. Please watch them quietly from the boat and never feed or disturb them. This stop adds a touch of nature and history to the beach-and-sea character of the trip.

Snorkelling over the Coral Seabed

Next comes a snorkelling stop at a spot chosen by the captain according to the day's conditions. Below the boat, patches of coral and rocks attract colourful reef fish such as sergeant majors, parrotfish, trumpetfish and small schools of blue tang, while sea urchins and starfish rest on the sand. The water off Martinique is warm all year, usually around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.

Snorkelling equipment is not provided on this trip, so remember to bring your own mask and snorkel; fins are optional. Even without gear you can swim from the boat and enjoy the clear water. Be careful not to touch the coral or stand on it, and follow the captain's instructions about where to swim. This stop usually lasts long enough for a relaxed swim before heading to Josephine's Bath.

Josephine's Bath

Josephine's Bath, la Baignoire de Joséphine, is the highlight of the trip: a wide sandbank in the open sea where the water is only about waist-deep, warm and perfectly clear. It is named after Joséphine, the Martinique-born empress of the French, who according to local legend came here to bathe. Standing in the middle of the sea with your feet on soft white sand is an experience unique to Martinique.

Here the crew serves a snack with your feet in the water: cod or vegetable fritters, a Creole classic, on morning trips, and sweet pastries or cakes in the afternoon, with fresh juice, soft drinks and water. You can float, chat and take photos before the boat returns to Le François. If you are wondering how to get to Josephine's Bath, a boat trip like this is the only way to reach it.