With eco-tourism companies too small to be seen in the face of more than 300 competitors, and a sustainable positioning still in its beginnings on the side of the Martinique Tourism Committee, mass tourism is often the most accessible solution when it comes to discovering Martinique from the sea. 

It is to protect her native island that Délice Nouel, a committed captain and founder of the Dénébola eco-sailing tours, is carrying out the Voile Nature project. 

The objective? To structure the sector of the eco-sailing trips by regrouping on the same website, small comitted companies. But also, to give more visibility to these excursions still too confidential in the offer of sea outings.

“The Martinique is beginning to take into account the exponential demand of tourists looking for calmer and nature-oriented experiences. Moreover, the first seminar dedicated to sustainable ecotourism organized by the “Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme” and the Marine Natural Park, took place on October 20, 2022. “

The creation of a natural marine park in 2017 confirms it: Martinique is a mecca of fragile marine biodiversity that we must preserve. 

Délice explains that a few years ago, Martinique did not position itself on ecotourism as Costa Rica was already doing for example. 

The arrival of the natural park has accelerated the machine. Martinique now aims to change its image by playing on its many natural assets: the coastline, the rainforest, the rivers, the waterfalls, an exceptional biodiversity… 

This is the beginning of initiatives in favor of ecotourism.

Within this context and thanks to the financial support of the French Office of Biodiversity and the Martinique Tourism Committee, Voile Nature was born.

In a previous article, we deepen the challenges of tourism in Martinique, based mainly on the case of the mangrove.

The natural marine park with an area of 48 900 km2, integrates the different marine habitats of the island which are dependent on each other for their balance and survival. The deterioration of one leads to the deterioration of the other…  

Without going into details, let us give you a short explanation of these aquatic environments. You can also get information directly on the blog of Voile Nature and on the website of the marine natural park. 

As you can see, poorly managed tourism can weaken or even destroy these ecosystems. 

Taking species out of the water, touching corals, trampling seagrass beds, polluting the mangrove, throwing away waste, using harmful sunscreen… Multiplied by thousands, these actions have a harmful impact on the environment.

But how to stop these bad practices without knowing their impacts? How to know the gestures to adopt? It is not natural, it has to be learned and this is the challenge for the professionals of Voile Nature. 

What if a sea-trip was also an opportunity to learn about the balance of marine biodiversity?! Indeed, it is when we know that we are the most likely to want to protect! 

Unless you are already an expert in life sciences, this learning is possible when the captains are also nature guides. They pass on their expertise and their passion during the navigation.

“This is only phase 1 of the project. In the medium term, the objective will be the mutualization of the costs, the actions and the distribution”, explains Délice.

The founder goes even further. She hopes in the long term to be able to include more nautical activities and to open up to other French overseas territories.

She also mentions the idea of joining an eco navigation network to be informed of the latest developments in the sector. A network would also allow to accelerate the research and to bring solutions to still unsolved problems.

This is the case, for example, of the toxic paint used to prevent shellfish and algae from clinging to the hulls. Just a few alternatives exist today.

Sustainable navigation in Martinique is still in its beginning. 

A project like Voile Nature, supported by public institutions, shows that the tourism industry is gradually evolving towards a more sustainable model, placing awareness and learning at the heart of its actions.

A great example of mutualization that we can only encourage and support, as professionals and travelers. 

“As a child, I had the chance to discover the Atlantic coast of Martinique by sailing. I have the chance to know how to sail. A know-how that must continue.
I lived magical moments with the nature. I would like my daughter and the other children to be able to live this as well.”