Information
City: Petit MartiniqueCountry: Grenada
Continent: North America
Petit Martinique, Grenada, North America
Overview
Petit Martinique is a tiny island in the Grenadines, part of Grenada, where bright fishing boats rock gently in the Caribbean Sea.Just northeast of Carriacou, another island in the Grenadines, it sits across a narrow strip of blue-green water.Petit Martinique is loved for its untouched beauty, the easy hush of its days, and the warm smiles that greet you on every corner.The island’s rolling green hills, soft white-sand beaches, and unhurried traditions make it a calm retreat for anyone eager to leave behind the noise and crowds of busier tourist hubs.Petit Martinique is a tiny, hilly island, just 2.5 square miles across-small enough that you can glimpse the sea from nearly every slope.The island boasts rugged hills draped in lush green foliage and beaches where golden sand meets water so clear you can see shells on the bottom.Petit Martinique stands apart from most Caribbean islands-it’s quiet, rural, and unhurried, with dusty lanes, few visitors, and hardly any new buildings.It’s a draw for travelers who want peace and the feel of real island life, like hearing waves lap against a quiet wooden pier.The Caribbean Sea wraps around the island, and just offshore, bright coral reefs scatter beneath the waves, perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.Petit Martinique draws plenty of yachters, thanks to its close reach to nearby Grenadines like Union Island and Carriacou, where you can spot bright sails flickering in the sun.Petit Martinique’s vibrant culture grew from centuries of change-colonial rule, the forced labor of enslaved Africans, and the deep-rooted traditions of the island’s first people, who fished these shores long before Europeans arrived.Most people on the island are of African descent, and many still switch easily between English and a lilting Caribbean Creole you might hear drifting from a seaside café.First the Arawaks made their home on the island, fishing its clear shallows, and later the Caribs arrived-both were native peoples of the Caribbean.Petit Martinique, like much of the Caribbean, was first claimed by the French, then passed into British hands, its shores lined with bright fishing boats rocking in the tide.The island once thrived on farming and fishing, and you can still see their mark in daily life-like the scent of fresh-caught snapper drifting from the docks.In Petit Martinique, people have held on to much of their culture, from lively festivals to the boat-building craft that’s made them known across the islands.These days, the island relies on fishing and small farms, where fields of cassava, yams, bananas, and bright citrus fruits grow under the sun.Petit Martinique’s economy runs on fishing, farming, and the steady flow of tourists who come for its quiet beaches.The island’s famous for its thriving fishing trade, hauling in lobster, crabs, fresh-caught fish, and the sweet, briny meat of conch.Fishing shapes both the economy and daily life here, with many locals hauling in their catch at dawn to earn their living.Agriculture is a major part of the island’s economy, with farmers tending cocoa trees, fragrant spice plants, and bright citrus groves.Still, the island’s small size leaves little room for farming, so its fields can’t match the wide, green stretches found on larger islands.Tourism has grown into a major force in the economy over the past few years, yet Petit Martinique still feels quiet and unspoiled, with empty beaches stretching under the sun.People visit the island for its quiet beaches, unhurried pace, and unspoiled scenery-the soft hiss of waves on the sand-rather than for big resorts or flashy tourist spots.Petit Martinique offers a calm, unhurried vibe, with soft white sand underfoot, clear beaches, and plenty of outdoor adventures-perfect for anyone craving a truly peaceful getaway.One of Petit Martinique’s charms is its quiet, inviting beaches-like the soft, pale sand of L’Anse Mitan or the gentle waves lapping at Petit Mitan Beach.These beaches greet you with soft white sand underfoot, water so clear you can see the shells, and an easygoing vibe that invites you to linger.They’re ideal for a swim, soaking up the sun, or wandering barefoot along the cool, wet sand.Snorkeling or scuba diving off Petit Martinique reveals a vivid world-bright coral reefs, darting tropical fish, and the quiet sway of sea fans in the current.The island’s crystal-clear waters invite visitors to snorkel or dive, with colorful reefs just off the shore and more dive spots scattered around the neighboring islands.Boating and Yachting: Tucked among the Grenadines, Petit Martinique draws sailors and yacht owners alike, its calm turquoise waters perfect for dropping anchor.You can reach the island quickly by boat from Carriacou, Union Island, or Grenada, and its calm, glassy waters make it a perfect place for cruisers to drop anchor.With its steep, green hills, Petit Martinique invites you to hike winding trails and discover the island’s untouched beauty.Hike up the island’s hills and you’ll see the surrounding isles spread out below, with the Caribbean Sea glinting blue in the sun.On Petit Martinique, you can watch skilled hands shape planks into elegant wooden boats-a tradition that’s one of the island’s most distinctive cultural treasures.Local craftsmen still shape the ribs and planks of wooden sloops by hand, keeping alive the boatbuilding skills their fathers and grandfathers taught them.In Petit Martinique, visitors can wander through lively markets filled with the scent of nutmeg, baskets of bright mangoes, and stalls selling handmade treasures.The island’s food celebrates its Caribbean roots, serving up fresh-caught fish, sweet mangoes, and a hint of fiery spice.People love traditional dishes like fish stew, sweet lobster, and callaloo, a leafy green that tastes fresh and earthy.On Petit Martinique, the year is dotted with lively celebrations, from boat races on sparkling water to music-filled street festivals.One standout is the Carnival in February, bursting with lively parades, pounding drums, swirling dancers, and costumes so bright they catch the sun.The island comes alive with traditional music and dance, from the driving beat of Soca to the bright clang of Steel Pan and the rich storytelling of Calypso.Accommodation on Petit Martinique ranges from simple guesthouses to a few small inns, yet the island still feels quiet and untouched compared to the busier Caribbean destinations.You’ll find cozy guesthouses, rustic lodges, and quiet villas-perfect for an intimate, peaceful stay where the night air smells faintly of jasmine.Many places to stay are run by local families, so you get a warm welcome and maybe even a homemade breakfast that smells of fresh bread, along with a real taste of the island’s hospitality.You’ll find a few places to stay on Petit Martinique, from the cozy Petit Martinique Guesthouse-just a short walk to the beach-to The Lobster Shack, a friendly spot famous for fresh lobster and an easygoing vibe, and a handful of private villas where you can watch the turquoise water from your porch; the island’s tropical climate stays warm and humid all year.From December to May, the dry season offers the best time to visit-clear skies, warm sun on your skin, and hardly a drop of rain.From June to November, the rainy season brings more frequent downpours and thick, warm air, yet the days still feel inviting.You can reach Petit Martinique by boat, the salty wind in your face as the island comes into view.
Landmarks in petit-martinique
