Trois Ilets, Martinique Cruises

Trois Ilets, Martinique Cruise Port

Les Trois-Ilets is both a town and commune on the French-owned island of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. It has a population of around 8,000 people who fill out the eleven square miles on the larger island’s eastern point. Historically, it’s probably best known as the birthplace of Empress Josephine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Located on what is known as the Diamond Peninsula, the commune overlooks the marvelous Bay of Fort-de-France and many visitors take advantage of the numerous ferries that go across the bay from Les Trois-Ilets to the commune of Fort-de-France. In the past was a large producer of cocoa, rum, sugar, and tobacco and had a set of batteries and forts along their coast to prevent the English from invading between the 17^th and 18^th century. Today, the economy is focused on tourism and has many hotels and beaches to allure travelers to their tropical paradise.

• In the Bay of Fort-de-France, a number of private companies rent out jet skis so cruisers can explore the decadent waters and experience a fast-paced thrill while doing so.
   
• Les Trois-Ilets has more diving companies than can be counted on two hands. Scuba is particularly popular in this region because the clear waters make for a great viewing canvas for tropical fish, shellfish, and mollusks.
   
• The Notre-Dame de la Bonne-Delivrance Church is a beautiful, old Catholic church and cemetery. Construction began in the 18^th century and it has been enlarged and restored numerous times over many years.
   
• For an interesting oral and visual history on the production and sale of sugar cane, the House of Cane is a practical, mostly outdoor museum with great views and demonstrations.