Martinique
Martinique · North America
The best time to visit Martinique is January, February, March, April, May, and December. In summer, daytime highs average 32°C (90°F), with peaks around 34°C (93°F); in winter, nights average 23°C (73°F), dropping to around 19°C (66°F) on the coldest. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 9 hours per day — ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
Martinique – What you should know
Martinique is a French overseas department and one of the greenest islands in the Lesser Antilles: rainforest, banana plantations and, in the north, the volcano Montagne Pelée, which destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre in 1902. The climate is tropical and humid with two seasons. The dry season (Carême) runs roughly from December to May: daytime highs average around 29–31°C (84–88°F), February and March bring about 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain and 9 hours of sunshine. Short showers fall even then — on an island this green, that is part of the deal.
From June to November the wet and hurricane season (Hivernage) follows: 165–245 mm (6.5–9.6 in) a month, 13 to 16 rain days, humidity around 80% and a sea at 28–29°C (82–84°F). Sunshine drops to roughly 7.5 hours a day in September and October. The risk of severe storms is greatest from August to October, although the island escapes lightly in most years.
Visitors to Martinique usually combine beach with countryside: rainforest hikes on Pelée, rum distilleries such as Saint James or Clément, and a cuisine that is both Creole and French. Carnival runs from January to Ash Wednesday, falling in the best weather, though the island is well booked during it. Compared with its neighbour Guadeloupe, the southern beaches are quieter and the island more compact, but the natural scenery is less expansive.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 29° (84°)27– (81–)30 (86) | 29° (84°)27– (81–)30 (86) | 30° (86°)27– (81–)31 (88) | 31° (88°)28– (82–)32 (90) | 31° (88°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 31° (88°)28– (82–)32 (90) | 31° (88°)29– (84–)32 (90) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)34 (93) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 31° (88°)28– (82–)32 (90) | 30° (86°)27– (81–)31 (88) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 23° (73°)19– (66–)25 (77) | 23° (73°)19– (66–)25 (77) | 23° (73°)20– (68–)25 (77) | 24° (75°)21– (70–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)22– (72–)27 (81) | 26° (79°)23– (73–)27 (81) | 26° (79°)23– (73–)27 (81) | 26° (79°)23– (73–)27 (81) | 25° (77°)22– (72–)27 (81) | 25° (77°)22– (72–)27 (81) | 24° (75°)21– (70–)26 (79) | 24° (75°)19– (66–)26 (79) |
☀️Sunshine | 9h UV 8 | 9h UV 9 | 9h UV 9 | 10h UV 9 | 10h UV 9 | 10h UV 9 | 10h UV 9 | 9h UV 9 | 8h UV 8 | 8h UV 8 | 8h UV 8 | 9h UV 7 |
🌊Water Temp | 27° (81°) | 27° (81°) | 27° (81°) | 28° (82°) | 28° (82°) | 28° (82°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 30° (86°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 28° (82°) |
🌧Rain Days | 14d107mm (4.2") | 10d82mm (3.2") | 9d81mm (3.2") | 10d109mm (4.3") | 9d111mm (4.4") | 13d167mm (6.6") | 16d197mm (7.8") | 16d231mm (9.1") | 13d199mm (7.8") | 15d245mm (9.6") | 15d209mm (8.2") | 13d147mm (5.8") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
From January to September, UV levels in Martinique reach 9 — very high on the WHO scale. High-SPF sunscreen and shade around midday are essential.
June offers great weather in Martinique with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Martinique
December – March
The Carême, the drier season: the slopes are freshly washed, the air is clearer and highs sit around 29°C (84°F). Between January and Ash Wednesday the vidés dance through the streets of Fort-de-France, and carnival shapes the island. Short showers are part of the deal, but the sun soon breaks through again.
April – May
Spring is the quiet shoulder season: it is warmer, the sun shines for nine to ten hours a day, and the hotels empty after carnival. The rainforest on Pelée is green and steamy, and the rum distilleries are well visited. The sea reaches almost 28°C (82°F).
June – September
The Hivernage begins: muggy and wet, with 13 to 16 rain days a month and humidity around 80 per cent. Heavy showers alternate with sunny spells, the sea is bath-warm and the beach often empty. The risk of storms is highest between August and October.
October – November
The wettest stretch of the year. The sun shows itself less often, roads and trails are often soggy, and many guesthouses close for a break. Those who come find a lush green island without a stream of tourists, but must expect rain on almost every other day.
Events & Festivals
February
- Carnival (Jours Gras)· variable (February/March, Sunday to Ash Wednesday)
The carnival season peaks over the four days up to and including Ash Wednesday in Fort-de-France: Vaval, the giant carnival effigy, is unveiled on Sunday, and the red devils take to the streets on Tuesday. On Ash Wednesday evening Vaval is burned by the water while the crowd wears black and white.
July
- Tour des Yoles Rondes· late July to early August (about a week)
A regatta of the island's traditional yoles rondes, open sailing boats, raced in eight stages around Martinique from a start in Sainte-Anne.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Martinique?
- The best time to visit Martinique is January, February, March, April, May, and December. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Martinique?
- In summer, daytime highs in Martinique average 32°C (90°F), with peaks around 34°C (93°F); in winter, nights average 23°C (73°F), dropping to around 19°C (66°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Martinique get?
- Martinique has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 13 rain days per month. The driest months are January, February, and March.
- How warm is the water in Martinique?
- Water temperature in Martinique ranges from 27°C (81°F) (February) to 30°C (86°F) (September). During the best travel months (January, February, March, April, May, and December), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
FebMarApr
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
FebMarApr
