Émeraude Villas
Martinique
Why Visit?
Despite its small size, Martinique is a stunning destination with much to offer. The island, which spans 60x30 km, features various landscapes and activities. In the north, tropical forests, majestic waterfalls, volcanoes like Montagne Pelée, and dramatic black sand beaches where rivers meet the sea. On the other hand, the southern region is flatter, adorned with coconut trees and pristine white sand beaches. The east coast is known for its dynamic wind and wave action, making it perfect for adventurous water sports, while the west coast is ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Martinique, recognised as a Biosphere Reserve in September 2021, is one of the world’s three biodiversity hotspots. Its rich flora and fauna make it a paradise for hikers and explorers. The island is also rich in history, with notable sites such as the Schoelcher Library, Saint-Louis Cathedral, the ruins of Saint-Pierre, and the Pagerie Museum, the birthplace of Joséphine de Beauharnais.
Martinique’s inviting atmosphere is complemented by its vibrant music scene, featuring biguine and zouk, gourmet Creole cuisine, and renowned distilleries like Clément and Neisson.
The commune of François, in particular, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural treasures, and diverse activities. Excursions include trips to the islets of François, the famous Baignoire de Joséphine—perfect for swimming and snorkelling—along with local treats like Accras and Ti Punch. Visitors can also explore Habitation Clément, its distillery, gardens, and the Clément Foundation, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions in a historic and natural setting.
Additionally, Martinique is a top spot for kitesurfing and sailing, with ideal wind conditions for these sports. Our luxury accommodation, Emeraude Villas, will ensure you fully experience all these delights.
Wind and Weather
The dominant trade winds at François blow from the east to the east-northeast, providing consistent and ideal conditions for kitesurfing. These winds generally range between 15 and 25 knots (28 to 46 km/h), offering a perfect balance of safety and power for kitesurfers of all levels.
During the trade wind season, from December to June, the winds tend to be stronger and more consistent, often reaching 25 knots and beyond. You can use specialised Windguru and Wind for accurate, real-time wind forecasts, which provide detailed information on wind direction, speed, and gusts.
Martinique enjoys a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C year-round. The water temperature averages around 27°C, making it ideal for kitesurfing. While humidity is generally high, the trade winds bring a refreshing breeze.
From December to April, the dry season features sunny days and reliable winds, making it the best time for kitesurfing in François. In contrast, the wet season experiences more precipitation from May to November and less consistent winds. However, May and June can still offer good wind conditions before the hurricane season peaks from August to September.
The hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest activity in August and September. During this period, it is essential to monitor weather forecasts closely and avoid kitesurfing if cyclone warnings are in effect. Although the trade winds at François are generally constant, occasional gusts can occur, especially before tropical showers. Always check the forecast to anticipate these variations.
Winds are typically more stable and strong between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., so planning your kitesurfing sessions during these times will maximise your chances of experiencing optimal conditions. Depending on the wind strength, consider bringing multiple wing sizes to adapt to changing conditions. If you prefer not to bring your equipment, you can rent from CKS Martinique (the Cora Kite School) located at the Villas du Lagon site, where Emeraude Villas is also situated.
Despite the warm water, wearing lycra or a light wetsuit is advisable to protect yourself from the sun and potential irritation from the harness.
Le François in Martinique offers excellent wind and weather conditions for kitesurfing, especially during the trade wind season from December to June. You can plan optimal and safe kitesurfing sessions using reliable wind forecasts and considering local climatic nuances.
Getting Around
Renting a car is essential to getting around Martinique. We recommend the following rental companies available at the airport: ADA, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Rent-A-Car. To secure the best rates and ensure vehicle availability, it’s good to reserve your car in advance. Review insurance options and consider purchasing additional coverage for optimal protection. You can explore Martinique with complete freedom and convenience with a rental car!
Food and Drink
Martinican cuisine offers a vibrant blend of Creole, African, French, and Indian flavours, reflecting the island’s cultural heritage. You can savour typical dishes such as cod accras, Creole blood sausage, colombo, and pork stew paired with yellow banana gratin. Don’t miss deliciously grilled fish and lobsters.
To complement your meal, try the famous Ti Punch, made with AOC agricultural rum from local distilleries, or enjoy refreshing coconut water and an array of fresh fruit juices on the island.
Martinique truly has something to delight every palate.
Nightlife
Within the residence, Lili à la Plage invites you to enjoy its delicious beachside restaurant, serving lunch and dinner on select days. Reservations are recommended to ensure a table.
Just a few minutes from Emeraude Villas, you’ll find dining options, including La Ferme des Orchidées and Kaï Nono, located at the François fishing port and offering tasty and hearty Creole cuisine.
In the nearby town of Vauclin, don’t miss Chez Marie-Alice or Baïa by A, both fantastic restaurants. Additionally, in Le Marin and Sainte-Anne, you’ll find a variety of alternatives, such as La Dunette, Paille-Coco, and Le Zanzibar.
No Wind?
If you find yourself in Martinique primarily to kitesurf but encounter calm winds, there are plenty of other engaging activities and places to explore and enjoy your stay fully. Here are some suggestions:
Explore the Beaches:
- Salines Beach: Renowned for its white sand and crystal-clear waters, it’s one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
- Diamant Beach: Ideal for relaxing, swimming, or snorkelling, with a spectacular view of Diamond Rock.
Visit the Gardens and Parks:
- Jardin de Balata is a magnificent botanical garden near Fort-de-France. It features a wide variety of tropical plants and scenic walking trails.
- Martinique Regional Natural Park: Offers excellent hiking opportunities and breathtaking viewpoints, perfect for discovering the island’s island’s-diversitylDiscovery:
- Musée de la Pagerie: Located in Trois-Îlets, this museum focuses on the history of Joséphine de Beauharnais, Empress of France.
- Regional Museum of History and Ethnography: Situated in Fort-de-France, this museum provides insights into Martiniques culture.
Visit the Distilleries:
- Habitation Clément: A former rum distillery transformed into a museum and cultural centre featuring guided tours and rum tastings.
- Distillerie Neisson Offers another excellent opportunity to learn about the rum-making process and sample local products. There are around ten distilleries on the island that are open for visits.
Hiking:
- Montagne Pelée: An active volcano with hiking trails that offer spectacular island views.
- Gorges de la Falaise: Trails through lush landscapes and waterfalls, perfect for an adventurous outdoor experience.
Explore the Local Markets:
- Fort-de-France Market: A vibrant market where local products, spices, and artisanal souvenirs can be purchased.
- Sainte-Anne Market: Another bustling market featuring fresh local produce and specialities.
Even if the wind is not blowing, Martinique offers many activities to enrich your visit. Whether you’re interested in natural wonders, immersing yourself in local culture, or enjoying the beaches, there is something to do and see on this stunning island.
Internet
Wifi is free and unlimited at Émeraude Villas and has a very high-quality connection.
Accommodation
Getting to Martinique is straightforward, with daily flights from Paris operated by Air France, Air Caraïbes, and Corsair. American Airlines flies from Miami four times a week, while Air Canada and Air Transat offer services from Montreal between three and five times a week.
Émeraude Villas, located in the Eastern Cape, provides luxury, privacy, and comfort in an idyllic setting. These villas offer an ideal base for relaxing in your private pool and various water activities. Personalised and meticulous attention to detail ensures a unique stay.
Each villa is elegantly decorated, combining sophistication with comfort to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They come equipped with modern amenities, including fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, private swimming pools, tropical gardens, and breathtaking views of the ocean and the famous lagoon with its varying shades of green. Unlike traditional hotels, these villas offer complete privacy, perfect for vacations with family, friends, or a loved one.
Concierge services are available to arrange activities, excursions, and any special requests, such as hiring an in-home chef for personal requests; regular cleaning services can be provided to keep the villas spotless throughout your stay.
The Eastern Cape is an excellent starting point for kitesurfing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, and other water sports. The region also offers excellent opportunities for hiking and exploring remarkable natural sites. The villas are in a secure area, ensuring peace of mind for visitors, and feature air conditioning and reliable internet connectivity to enhance your comfort during your stay.
For more information on Émeraude Villas, please visit their website here and follow them on Instagram here.
Flights
Rating 4.0
Map
Martinique
EUR (Euro)
French
378,243
Fort-de-France
UTC-04:00
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By Emeraude Villas
Nestled in a tropical park on the exceptional Cap Est peninsula and overlooking the lagoon, Emeraude Villas offers a collection of prestigious suites and villas tailored to your desires. Situated within the upscale complex, Les Villas du Lagon, these villas have been designed by a renowned French architect-designer, known for creating exquisite tropical chic furniture.
Been to Émeraude Villas? What did you think?
Where are the Best Kitesurfing Beaches in Émeraude Villas?
This is the main kiteboarding spot on the island! It’s one of the best spots in the Caribbean for freestyle and freerides. In a mangrove bay between 30 cm and 2 meters, you find shallow water. There are no sea urchins and no reef, just flat and safe, but it’s shallow, close to the mangrove.
There is no sand (it’s grass), so it's also perfect for kiters. You can park your car in front of the spot; you will find the only shop on the island that sails the main brands (Duotone, Fone, North, Cabrinha, Slingshot, and Ozone). There is also a swimming area next to the launching area and many restaurants, so it’s also perfect for a family day there.
You can join a really big area for foiling or freeriding a go upwind to the coral reef. You will find unique places with crystal water.
- Wind: NE and ENE, E
- Waves: None
- Shoresbreak: None
Le Francois, Cap Est [14.58881592408989, -60.84945228141922]
More beautiful than Le Vauclin for freeriding, a bit more choppy, but a perfect spot for freestyle. The launching area is tricky but nothing too dangerous; once you are in the water, the playing area is huge and empty. There is a little beach and one restaurant (a little expensive!).
From Cap Est, you can travel to many small islands and join some secret surf spots. Then, you only need to ask the locals, explaining how to join these spots.
- Wind: NE and ENE, E
- Waves: Choppy
- Shoresbreak: None
Cap Chevalier, Anse Michel [14.436390390667894, -60.830361773749516]
This is the best family spot; it has a really nice beach, a lot of coconuts, and two restaurants that are famous for local food (O cocotier). It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
For kiting, it’s a medium-size lagoon, really safe with a side-onshore wind. Choppy at high tide and flat at low tide. There are some cool waves behind the reef, but with onshore wind, so it’s only cool with a twintip.
- Wind: E – NE.
- Waves: Choppy at high and flat at low tide
- Shoresbreak: Behind the reef
Trois Ilets – Pointe du bout [14.561659329540456, -61.05199643700736]
The only spot on the Caribbean coast! The wind starts later around 9 am and stop in the afternoon. You can add 2 or 3 knots compared to the windward coast. It’s really choppy and the wind is not often stable but it’s nice for a freestyle surf session or for foil sessions too because the area is huge !
The launching is tricky; ask the local kite school they will be pleased to help you!
- Wind: Cross
- Waves: Some
- Shoresbreak: Some
Anse Trabaud (Surf Waves)
It’s a secret spot especially because it’s almost empty all of the time. It’s the most southern beach on the island, you can join it by car or walk from the famous beach called Les Salines (45 min). It’s a bit windier than on the windward coast, but the wind is not stable; you need to kite 100m away to get some classic wind.
You can go to the reef and surf a really nice left wave. It’s the best wave spot on the island; it’s the biggest wave you will find. But on the second part of the wave, it”s a cooler size, don’t be afraid.
Sometimes, the wind is side and a bit side off, so it’s not for beginners.
The beach is one of the most beautiful f the island; there is nothing there, so bring your food.
You will also find a funny shorebreak for kites, bodyboard, or sometimes surf.
- Wind: Side-off
- Waves: Yes
- Shoresbreak:Yes
When is the Best Time to go Kitesurfing in Émeraude Villas?
The windy months to go kitesurfing in Émeraude Villas are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December
Statistics
Map
Martinique
EUR (Euro)
French
378,243
Fort-de-France
UTC-04:00