Near the very famous Salines beach in the town of Sainte Anne, is the Savane des Pétrifications at the southern tip of Martinique. It is an old dry marsh where there were once many pieces of wood, sometimes fossilized trees.

However, looting has removed these geological remains and the place has become a land of hiking visitors coming to admire the surprising landscape.

The area is almost desert and contrasts with the rest of the landscape of the islet. The Savane des Pétrifications is located on the site of a very old volcano of which the Morne des Pétrifications which rises to 119 meters is one of the remains.

The bare land of this desert is strewn with blocks of yellow, red or black polychrome jasper, giving the landscape an astonishing lunar aspect.

It is located in front of the Table du Diable, a huge rock that has risen from the waves a few cables offshore and the subject of many legends.

Note that the Savane des Pétrifications is with the Presqu'île de la  Caravelle (Caravelle Peninsula) one of the oldest parts of Martinique and that these two original parts were linked gradually by successive volcanic eruptions to form the current Martinique .

The Savane des Pétrifications is one of the stages of the "Trace des Caps" hike, a path that runs along the southern coast of Martinique and is a site classified by the Parc Naturel régional of the island.

The mangrove of the Baie de Génipa is mostly located in the commune of Ducos, but also partly in the towns of Rivière-Salée and Trois-Ilets. With 1,200 hectares, it represents 65% of the mangroves in Martinique. This ecosystem provides an excellent interface between land and sea. It includes surface water, groundwater, and marine water, each of which carries solid or dissolved matter: salts, nutrients, organic matter, or pollutants.

Three protected plant species have been recorded in the Bay of Génipa: Oncidium ceboletta, Ammannia coccinea, and Zygia latifolia, an endemic species recently identified: Aechmea reclinata.

The fauna is diverse and this rare species. Six indigenous species, and/or endemic amphibians and reptiles, are identified in the study area. The Gros Ilet and Petit Ilet present a significant interest in terms of conservation of heritage species in the sector.

The presence of protected and endemic species justifies regulatory protection, a ranking of the site, and its recognition as a wetland of international importance.

The Mangrove Bay has an avifaunal diversity (animal wildlife birds) outstanding, with 93 species of birds recorded, including 9 endemic to the Lesser Antilles and one endemic to Martinique. Other vulnerable species in danger of extinction are being observed. Sedentary species are mainly linked to the land domain, they inhabit most of the forest areas or forest edges and the dry savannah tree. This site is the largest migratory staging of Martinique for waterbirds. It is a breeding, feeding and passage for migratory birds.

The whole area is of major interest and is identified as important are for the conservation of birds or crabs.

To get there, you can get to the roundabout of Cocotte neighborhoods and Canal Ducos and continue to the end of the quarter, via Génipa neighborhood near the shopping center, but also the Trois-Ilets neighborhood just before Vatable. Trips canoeing are offered.

Les Salines is "THE" beach in Martinique. In the opinion of almost the entire population, it's the most beautiful beach on the island and is sometimes even described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean archipelago.

We could even talk about twin beaches, as there are Grande Anse des Salines and Petite Anse des Salines, both of which are equally impressive.

Plage des Salines is often used as a poster for postcards and tourist brochures from Martinique. A long beach of white sand lined with coconut palms, with turquoise-blue waters, this beach has nothing to envy the most beautiful beaches on the paradise islands!

It's very crowded during the week, especially with tourists, and even more so at weekends, when tourists mingle with residents. Bathing is pleasant and not dangerous, even if small or medium-sized waves are sometimes encountered.

There are tables and benches in the shaded areas, and showers for rinsing off after a swim. Restaurants are also available on the beach and nearby.

At the end of the beach, you can visit the Etang des Salines, whose protected ecosystem, well explained on the signs lining the route, is special. You'll discover a multitude of crabs during the ten-minute walk along the pontoon, and if you're lucky, migratory birds pass through our island during the North American winter.

Salines beach is also known as the departure point for young Martinican resistance fighters who made their way to Saint Lucia to join the Free French Forces during the Second World War.

Salines beach is the southern tip of Martinique. You can get there by heading towards the commune of Sainte-Anne and following the excellent signposts, which prevent you from getting lost.

A MUST SEE!