Whale Watching Worldwide

Martinique
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditure
Indirect
expenditure
Total
expenditure
1991 Minimal N/A N/A Minimal Minimal Minimal
1994 100+ N/A N/A Minimal Minimal Minimal
1998 Minimal N/A N/A Minimal Minimal Minimal
2008 2,800 27.3% ~2 $191,000 $421,000 $612,000
Capital City: Fort‐de‐France
Despite the opportunities of the mature tourism industry, the many
dive operators, and the presence of whales and dolphins especially
off the west coast of Martinique, there remains only a small whale
watching industry.
However, one dedicated dolphin and whale watch operator
undertakes trips to see a variety of cetaceans, most commonly
seeing Atlantic spotted dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, humpback and
sperm whales, guaranteeing sightings for passengers. These trips
are in a small vessel, with an average ticket price of $68. Other
cetacean sightings occur frequently as part of dive trips, with
dolphins most commonly seen.
Earlier research on Martinique (Hoyt, 1999) found great potential for whale watching, with cetaceans being
accessible to the islands, especially from the coastal village of Le Prêcheur. Sperm whales have been
recorded off the coast, and spinner dolphins are commonly seen. In fact, 14 species of cetacean have been
recorded around the island.
Acknowledgements:
Evasion Tropicale
Main species: Large cetaceans:
Humpback whale, sperm whale
Small cetaceans:
spinner dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin,
Fraser’s dolphin
Tourists:
International > 95%
Domestic
Types of tours: Boat‐based
Average adult ticket price: $68
Estimated employment
2
numbers:
Main whale watch season: N/A
References:
Hoyt, E 1999, The Potential of Whale Watching in the Caribbean: 1999+. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Bath,
UK, 81 pp.
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