February brings three things together: the carême, the island's dry season; the school holidays of all three mainland French zones; and the Shrove days of Carnival. It is when people move around the most — and when you need to plan furthest ahead.
February dates
- Shrove days from 7 to 10 February 2027 — Shrove Sunday to Ash Wednesday, calculated from the date of Easter.
- Carnival school holidays in Martinique: 5 to 21 February 2027, per the French Ministry of Education calendar for the Martinique education authority.
- Winter holidays in mainland France: zone C from 5 to 21 February, zone A from 12 to 28 February, zone B from 19 February to 7 March 2027. The three zones overlap across February, so demand does not dip between waves.
Those school dates matter: in 2024, 64.8% of visitors to Martinique came from mainland France (Martinique Tourism Board).
The dry season, and what it changes on the road
Météo-France calls the dry season the carême, running “from February to April, a period when the trade winds carry less moisture”, with 60 to 90 mm of rain a month. In January and February it records around 29 °C by day and 22 to 23 °C at night — the coolest months of the year. In practice: dry roads, clear days, and passable dirt tracks down to the southern beaches.
Getting around during Carnival
Parades close streets for several days, in the villages as well as in Fort-de-France, and parking fills up early. Two habits help: park away from the centre and walk the last stretch, and leave yourself room on vehicle return times. Our guide to driving in Martinique covers the rules that apply the rest of the time.
Which car for this period
A small car is the easiest thing to park in a village on a parade day. If you are travelling as a family, seven-seaters are our rarest category — a single model — and automatics also go early. Mileage is unlimited whatever the category.
Booking for February
The three holiday zones follow one another without a break across the month: the dates you are after are the dates everyone else is after. Book as soon as your flights are set; the booking can still be changed and the deposit is governed by our terms and conditions, set out on the book direct page.
When is Carnival?
The Shrove days — Shrove Sunday to Ash Wednesday — fall from 7 to 10 February 2027. These dates follow from the date of Easter and therefore move each year. In Martinique, the school holidays known as “Carnival holidays” run from 5 to 21 February 2027.
Is Shrove Tuesday a public holiday in Martinique?
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are not on the list of statutory public holidays. Plenty of activity nonetheless organises itself around the parades: check locally for shop and administrative opening hours. Our Le Lamentin branch is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and airport handover runs at any hour.
What is the weather like in Martinique in February?
February falls within the carême, the dry season, which Météo-France places from February to April: the trade winds carry less moisture and 60 to 90 mm of rain falls per month. Expect around 29 °C by day and 22 to 23 °C at night in January and February.
Can you drive normally during the parades?
Streets are closed for several days in the towns that hold parades, and parking fills up early. Plan to park away from the centre and allow longer journey times on those days.
Do I need a 4x4 to reach the beaches in February?
No. The island's roads are surfaced and the beaches are reachable in an ordinary car; the dry season makes them easier still. An SUV buys comfort and boot space, not necessity.