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Cailly Bruno
Cailly Bruno

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Ilet à Ramiers is a small uninhabited rocky island located at the southern entrance to Fort-de-France bay. This spot, which is not easily accessible, is still wild and uncrowded. Although the reef bordering the islet is in relatively poor condition, snorkelers can still spot a great diversity of Caribbean fish.

Spotted drum at Ilet à Ramiers
The spotted drum is a beautiful fish that can be seen around the islet.

How to go snorkeling at Ilet à Ramiers

Ilet à Ramiers is located along the bay of Fort-de-France southern coast, near Anse à l’Ane. The easiest way to reach the islet is by kayak or boat. Good swimmers can consider walking to Anse Bellay by the hiking path which goes from Anse à l’Ane to Anse Noire (one of Martinique‘s most popular snorkeling spot).

From there, go swimming towards the islet, located just opposite the cove (about 300m, take a diving flag/swimming buoy with you). The start of the hike is located in a cul-de-sac (location here), between two fences.

Ilet à Ramiers snorkeling map, Martinique

Water entrance for snorkeling Ilet à Ramiers

The islet’s shore is rocky and steep, except at its southern end, where there is a small sandy cove and a pontoon.

Ilet à Ramiers snorkeling exploration tips

We especially recommend the area which extends from the east coast of the islet. It is the most sheltered and shallowest area, ideal for snorkeling.

Coral reef at Ilet à Ramiers
Ilet à Ramiers has beautiful reef areas.

Near the shore, explore the large boulders (↕1-3m) around which live French angelfish, blue tang and sergeants majors. The lionfish – native to the Indo-Pacific, which has become invasive in the Caribbean – are often seen here. At the foot of the rocks, in the sand, snorkelers can sometimes encounter a cushion starfish.

Lionfish at Ilet à Ramiers
The lionfish, an invasive species in the Caribbean, is pretty common at this spot.

30-40m from shore, deeper reef areas (↕3-5m), covered with corals, sea fans, sponges and Sabella, can be snorkeled. The reef is home to a great diversity of fish, such as the bluehead wrasse, the spotted drum and the harlequin bass. Reef squids are also common on this spot.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

The Island is wild, and the only building on it is a former military fort. The closest restaurants are in Anse à l’Ane beach.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth12ft/4m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach or rocks
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.