In the middle of Le François bay, the sea suddenly turns turquoise: welcome to Joséphine’s Bathtub (la Baignoire de Joséphine), one of Martinique’s most famous spots. You step off the boat and find yourself standing on white sand, in the open sea.
What is Joséphine’s Bathtub?
It is a sandbank on the white sandbanks of Le François (les fonds blancs). These shallows cover about 1 km² between Îlet Thierry, Îlet Oscar, Îlet Métrente and Îlet Long, and the water is never deeper than 2 metres.
The sand is made of tiny fragments of coral. A barrier reef running from Le Robert to Le Vauclin shelters the bay from the Atlantic swell, which lets the sand build up. White sand and shallow water give the sea its bright colour.
Where does the name come from?
The name refers to Joséphine de Beauharnais, born in 1763 in Les Trois-Îlets, on the other side of the island, who became Empress of the French. Legend says young Joséphine loved to bathe here. A less romantic version credits a dredger named “La Joséphine” that came to collect sand. Neither is documented.
How to get there
Joséphine’s Bathtub can only be reached by boat, from Le François, on Martinique’s Atlantic coast. Approximate driving times to Le François, without traffic:
- 25 minutes from Aimé-Césaire airport;
- about 30 minutes from Fort-de-France or Les Trois-Îlets;
- about 40 minutes from Sainte-Anne.
With MOWATA, the Bathtub is the highlight of our 4-hour guided boat tour, together with Îlet Thierry, Îlet Long and the mangrove — 11 guests maximum. Want the whole day? Choose our full day with lunch on Îlet Oscar.
When to go
- Season: the dry season (carême) runs roughly from December to April. The rainy season (hivernage) runs from June to November, which is also hurricane season.
- Time of day: it gets busy at weekends, during holidays and in the afternoon. Weekday mornings are calmer.
- Sargassum: this brown seaweed can reach the Atlantic coast, mostly from March to September. Météo-France publishes forecasts; we adapt the route when needed.
Tips
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses and water.
- Use reef-friendly sunscreen or a UV shirt.
- Keep an eye on children: even where you can stand, you may feel a light current when it’s windy.
Cruise passenger? Read our guide to visiting Le François on a cruise stop.
Updated
FAQ
Where is Joséphine's Bathtub?
In Le François bay, on the Atlantic coast of Martinique, on a sandbank between Îlet Thierry and Îlet Oscar. It can only be reached by boat.
Why is it called Joséphine's Bathtub?
Legend has it that Empress Joséphine, born in Les Trois-Îlets in 1763, liked to bathe there. Another story links the name to a dredger called "La Joséphine" that collected sand on the bank. Neither version is documented.
How deep is the water?
Across Le François white sandbanks the water is never deeper than 2 metres. At the Bathtub you can usually stand, depending on the tide and the spot. To confirm with the captain
Can I visit from a cruise ship?
Le François is about 30 minutes' drive from the Fort-de-France cruise terminal without traffic. Check your all-aboard time first and message us on WhatsApp so we can advise on the best slot. Port pick-up to confirm
