03/04/2025
From the Island of Flowers to the Island of Nature 🌺🌿
Once Carnival was over, it was time to move on. We spent over two months in Martinique and we can honestly say—it’s paradise. Lush greenery, incredible beaches, and some unforgettable adventures. We found some epic trail runs through the mangroves, helped organize a beach BBQ for fellow cruisers, and regularly snorkelled with turtles.
One of the biggest highlights (besides Carnival, of course!) was exploring the island’s forests. On a particularly memorable trip we headed inland in search of some waterfalls we’d heard so much about. The hike started along a river, weaving through dense tropical forest, until we reached the first waterfall—an idyllic spot for lunch while watching people splash around and swim under the waterfall. But the real magic came on the way to the second waterfall. The path led through the river, sometimes knee-deep in crystal-clear water, trying not to splash too much and scare away the lizards sunning themselves on the rocks beside us. The upper waterfall was spectacular and we jumped in for a swim. There was no swimming under this waterfall though as the impressive force of the wind and current from the falls made trying to reach it really difficult! Moments like these make this journey so special.
Next, we made the short hop to Dominica—not to be confused with the Dominican Republic! Often referred to as Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs, this island is 75% rainforest, filled with thermal springs, crater lakes, and more waterfalls than we can count. Unfortunately, Carnival left us both with a brutal cold that took us both weeks to get over, so we barely scratched the surface here. One attraction that really caught our eye though was the Caribbean’s longest hiking trail—the Waitukubuli National Trail- a 180km trek split into 14 segments. Kathryn’s already planning to come back next year to hike the whole thing in one go… camping along the way. If anyone’s crazy enough to join us, bring a hammock!
After nearly two weeks of feeling rough, we finally made it out for a walk. Anchored in Portsmouth Bay, we explored an old English colonial fort in Cabrits national park—some parts restored, others lost to time. There was once multiple fortifications spread around the Cabrits- once island, now peninsula. 10km of exploring later we were feeling really refreshed and energised. It's amazing how some fresh air and forest vibes can improve your mood after being hunkered down onboard a small boat. That was until Duncan managed to twist his ankle on the way down. So much for thermal springs, lakes, and waterfalls this time! Looks like we’ll have to come back.
Next stop: Guadeloupe! Stay tuned for the next adventure. ⛵🌊
