GREAT BEACH COMES WITH A UNIQUE STORY

It’s hard to improve on paradise but the longest beach on Martinique, with white sand stretching for more than six miles, has a view that comes with a great story.

Diamond Beach, rated as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean by Frommer’s travel guides, faces a small offshore island with a unique claim—Diamond Rock was once officially registered as a sailing ship in the British navy, the man o’ war HMS Diamond Rock. Twenty armed sailors and five cannons were stationed on the island to control access to Fort-de-France and the southern tip of Martinique back in 1804, when the English and French were struggling for control of commerce throughout the Caribbean.

For more than a year, the English blockade of Martinique was so effective that Napoleon himself ordered the conquest of Diamond Rock. The French were successful, although the exact reasons for their victory are clouded by history—

Some accounts say the English were driven away after they lost their supply of fresh water on the tiny island. A more colorful version claims the French sent a raft loaded with barrels of rum floating toward Diamond Rock, then overwhelmed the thirsty and drunk defenders.

Whatever really happened, today you can kick back and enjoy the sun and the breeze on one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, and you won’t have to wait for a raft to bring you a refreshing rum drink.

No one lives on Diamond Rock anymore, but if you feel like getting up out of your hammock, short excursions and scuba diving tours to this historic spot are easily arranged.

For details go on tours and packages