François bay tour: Josephine's Bath and Chancel islet

Mangrove, turquoise shallows and wild iguanas on the Atlantic coast

A 3-hour boat tour departing from François fishing port explores the Fonds Blancs shallows, mangrove passages and two historic islets on Martinique's Atlantic coast. You swim at Josephine's Bath in shallow turquoise water, visit Chancel islet to observe rare Caribbean iguanas living free, and hear local stories and natural history from a bilingual guide. Drinks, snacks and all fees are included. Groups stay under 15 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Fonds Blancs and îlets

• Depart from François fishing port
• Explore mangrove and Fonds Blancs
• Swim at Baignoire de Joséphine
• Visit îlet Chancel and see iguanas
• Enjoy drinks and traditional snacks onboard

The experience

The boat leaves from the main dock at François fishing port and heads into the Fonds Blancs, the shallow turquoise waters that define this stretch of coast. A local guide narrates the route in English or French, sharing knowledge of the islands, the mangrove ecosystem and the Atlantic-facing shoreline. The pace is built around three stops: a swim in the shallow water at Josephine's Bath, a landing on Chancel islet to look for the rare Caribbean iguanas that live there unprotected, and passages through mangrove channels that frame the natural and cultural heritage of the area.

Refreshments happen on board: bottled water, traditional snacks and drinks served in a casual, shared atmosphere. The whole outing runs 3 hours, which leaves the rest of your day free in François or elsewhere on the island. Groups are kept small, capped at 15 people per booking, so the boat does not feel crowded and the guide can answer questions as they come up.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or French.
• bottled water.
• traditional snacks and drinks served on board.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Cote au Vent

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided boat tour with swimming stops and cultural storytelling rather than a self-guided island exploration. The small group lets the guide answer questions about Martinique's history and coast as they arise.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Josephine's Bath and what will I do there?

Josephine's Bath is a shallow turquoise swimming spot in the Fonds Blancs where you stop to swim during the tour. The water is calm and clear, and the depth stays manageable for most swimmers.

Can I see the iguanas on Chancel islet?

Chancel islet is home to rare Caribbean iguanas that live in the wild there. The tour stops at the islet so you can observe them in their natural habitat, though sightings depend on the animals' movement and behavior on the day you visit.

How much time do we spend swimming versus traveling?

The 3-hour tour includes time in the water at Josephine's Bath, the stop at Chancel islet to explore and look for iguanas, passages through the mangrove, and travel between stops. The guide paces the day so you have a real swim break without the boat sitting idle.

What happens if I'm traveling with a cruise ship?

If you're docking at a cruise port, you'll need to provide your ship's name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book so the tour can be timed to get you back before departure.