Martinique's high season follows two calendars: school holidays and the climate. Knowing when to book is no trade secret — you only need the dates, and to know which categories we hold in small numbers.
What makes the high season
Two calendars overlap. The climate: Météo-France places the carême, the dry season, “from February to April”, with 60 to 90 mm of rain a month — the opposite of the wet season, July to October. And the holidays: the end-of-year break, then the winter holidays of the three mainland French zones, which run back to back across February.
Dates for the coming season
- End-of-year holidays: 15 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 — see our page on car rental over the holidays.
- Carnival school holidays in Martinique: 5 to 21 February 2027; Shrove days from 7 to 10 February 2027 — see February and Carnival.
- 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.
- Easter holidays in Martinique: 23 to 31 March 2027, shorter than in mainland France, where spring holidays run from 2 April to 2 May depending on the zone.
What we know about our own fleet
We will not claim to tell you whether the whole island will be full: no public statistic says so. What we do know is our own fleet. It runs to more than 130 vehicles, and two categories are thin: we have a single seven-seater model, and automatics make up a limited share of the fleet. Every year, those are the first to run out on the most sought-after dates.
Booking early without locking yourself in
Booking early is only worth it if the booking stays flexible. With us, a deposit holds the vehicle, the booking can be changed, and the cancellation terms are written down: they are in the terms and conditions and explained plainly on book direct. The security deposit is taken as a credit card pre-authorisation, or through Swikly, which holds no funds.
On arrival
Handover at Aimé Césaire airport is free, at any hour, seven days a week — which matters when high-season flights land late. Our Le Lamentin branch is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. We deliver neither to homes nor to accommodation.
If you come in low season
The quiet months have their own advantages: fewer people at the sites, and a fully available fleet. Our guide on the best time to visit Martinique compares the periods without selling you anything.
When does high season start in Martinique?
There is no single official date. Two solid markers: Météo-France places the carême, the dry season, from February to April; and the school holidays — the end-of-year break, then the winter holidays of all three zones, covering the whole of February. That is where demand concentrates.
How far ahead should I book?
It depends on the category. For a small car or a saloon, our fleet is broad. For a seven-seater — we have a single model — or an automatic, book as soon as your dates are set: those are the first categories to run out.
Are rental cars really all taken in high season?
We do not know that for the island as a whole: no public statistic counts the rental fleet available in Martinique, and we would rather say so than wave around a scarcity we cannot prove. What we do know is our own fleet and the categories we hold few of.
Can I change or cancel a booking made months ahead?
Yes, under the conditions set out in our terms: changes and cancellation are governed there by specific deadlines and fees. The “book direct” page sets them out before you pay anything.
Is the deposit higher in high season?
No. The security deposit depends on the vehicle category, not the season. It is taken as a pre-authorisation on a credit card in the main driver's name, or through the Swikly service, which holds no funds.