Le François: White Funds Boat Day Trip with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Boat day in Le François with swimming, iguanas and island stops

You’ll drift between islets near Le François by boat, swim in the clear White Funds at Josephine’s Bath, spot wild iguanas on Ilet Chancel, and share lunch with new friends on deck. Expect laughter, salt on your skin, and moments of quiet you might not forget soon.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed stepping onto the dock at Le François was the smell—salty, but also a little sweet, like mangroves after rain. Our guide, Jean-Marc, waved us over with that easy island smile. The boat wasn’t fancy but felt sturdy, and everyone shuffled around finding a spot in the sun or shade. I kept thinking how blue everything looked—almost fake. We set off past fishing boats bobbing quietly and I tried to catch what the older men onshore were joking about (my French is still terrible).

The ride out to Josephine’s Bath took longer than I expected. Wind in my hair, spray on my face—felt good to just sit and watch the coastline slip by. Jean-Marc pointed out each islet as we passed: Lavigne, Frégate, Oscar… names I’d never heard before but now they’re stuck in my head. When we finally stopped at the White Funds, everyone just sort of slid into the water—warm and shallow and weirdly clear. Someone handed me a ti’ punch (rum hits different at 11am) and I floated there thinking how this was nothing like any “day trip Le François” brochure could explain.

Ilet Chancel was next—there’s a bunch of iguanas lounging around like tiny dinosaurs. One stared at me for ages while I tried to get a photo; he didn’t care at all. Lunch happened somewhere between islands (I lost track)—grilled fish, rice, something spicy that made me cough and laugh at myself. The breeze kept blowing napkins away so we gave up chasing them after a while. On the way back we sailed along the barrier reef; you could see all these colors shifting under the surface if you squinted right.

By late afternoon we were sunburned and salty and tired in that good way you get from being outside all day. There was this quiet moment where nobody talked—just water slapping against the hull—and it felt like maybe this is what people mean when they talk about “island time.” Still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat trip exploring Le François treasures

• Depart from François fishing port
• Explore peninsula and mangrove
• Present islets Lavigne, Frégate, Long, Pelée, Oscar, Thierry
• Visit White Funds of Josephine's Bath
• Discover Ilet Thierry and tropical fish
• Sail along barrier reef
• Visit Ilet Chancel and iguanas
• Explore Trapeze White Backgrounds
• Ascend towards Ilet Madame
• Lunch break on board

Top questions

How long does the Le François White Funds boat tour last?

The tour runs from 9am to 5pm—a full day trip.

Is lunch included during the boat trip?

Yes, lunch is provided as part of your day on board.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the fishing port of François on Martinique’s Atlantic side.

Are drinks included on this day trip?

Bottled water, alcoholic beverages (like ti’ punch), and snacks are included.

Can children join this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; not recommended for kids under 3 years old.

Will we see wildlife during this boat trip?

You’ll likely spot iguanas on Ilet Chancel and tropical fish near Ilet Thierry.

Is pickup included for this tour?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the port but not from hotels—you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

What should I bring for swimming?

A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and maybe a hat—the water is warm and shallow at Josephine’s Bath.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at Le François port, all boat transport between islets like Chancel and Madame, bottled water plus local rum drinks onboard, snacks throughout the day, a fresh-cooked lunch served on deck mid-trip—and guidance from someone who actually knows which islet is which (trust me).