Every quarter, investors from mainland France ask me the same question: “Where should I buy in Martinique to do short-term rentals without making a mistake?” My answer, after years managing furnished rentals on the island, almost never changes: start by looking at Trois-Îlets. On the southern shore of the Bay of Fort-de-France, this tourist town concentrates a level of demand that few others can match — ferry service, marina, beaches within walking distance, activities galore. Investing in short-term rentals in Trois-Îlets means betting on the most liquid and most-booked area in all of Martinique. The catch is buying the right property, in the right neighborhood, at the right price. Here is my hands-on guide, updated for 2026.
This content is educational and reflects my experience as a local property manager; it is not a substitute for the advice of a notary or accountant on your personal project.
Why Trois-Îlets draws so many investors
The town, famous as the birthplace of Joséphine de Beauharnais, is far more than a name in history books. It is the seaside and tourism showcase of southern Martinique, and that translates directly into occupancy rates.
Demand driven by tourism and the ferry
The first engine of Airbnb profitability in Trois-Îlets is location. From the docks at Pointe du Bout or Anse à l’Âne, a ferry connects Fort-de-France in 20 to 25 minutes, whereas the road — gridlocked at rush hour — easily takes 45 minutes to an hour. This advantage appeals to travelers who want to avoid driving to reach the island’s capital, and it reassures guests booking from abroad.
On top of that comes a density of activities rare on the island:
- the Pointe du Bout marina, its restaurants and its nightlife;
- the beaches of Anse Mitan and Anse à l’Âne, within walking distance of many properties;
- the golf course, the Pagerie Museum, the Pottery Village and the Savane des Esclaves;
- a central position that puts both the south (Sainte-Anne, Le Diamant) and the north (Saint-Pierre, Montagne Pelée) within driving distance — and a car is strongly recommended on the island.
A seasonality that favors furnished tourist rentals
Trois-Îlets fully benefits from the island’s two seasons. The dry season, the Carême, from December to April, is the best period: peak bookings, high rates, maximum occupancy. The February–March carnival brings additional clientele, and the southern shore of the bay stays in demand all year round. The hurricane season, from June to November, quieter, is managed with adjusted pricing — more on that below.
How much does a property in Trois-Îlets cost?
Let’s talk concrete figures, because that’s where your Pointe du Bout rental investment calculation is decided. Trois-Îlets is among the most expensive towns in Martinique, a direct consequence of its appeal.
As a rough guide, here are the purchase price ranges I’m seeing on the ground in 2026:
- Studio or one-bedroom (25–35 m²), ideally near the marina or beach: €150,000 to €200,000.
- Two-bedroom (40–50 m²) with a balcony or small outdoor space: €200,000 to €290,000.
- Villa with pool (3 bedrooms), bay view or near the sea: €400,000 to €700,000, sometimes more for exceptional properties in Pointe du Bout.
Per square meter, expect an average of €3,500 to €5,000 across the town, with higher peaks for sea-view or waterfront properties. Add to that notary fees (around 7 to 8% for existing properties), and one point mainland buyers underestimate: furnishing and equipment cost more here. The octroi de mer (local import tax) drives up the price of imported appliances and furniture — a furnishing budget of €8,000 to €15,000 for a two-bedroom is by no means excessive if you’re aiming for a quality rental.
Pointe du Bout, Anse Mitan, Anse à l’Âne: which neighborhood to target?
Not all areas of Trois-Îlets are equal for renting:
- Pointe du Bout: the tourist heart, with marina, hotels and restaurants. The highest prices, but the most liquid location and the best occupancy rate. This is where the bulk of Pointe du Bout rental investment plays out, sought after by travelers who want everything on foot.
- Anse Mitan: a family beach, a more laid-back atmosphere, just steps from Pointe du Bout. An excellent compromise between quality of life, price and rentability.
- Anse à l’Âne: ferry dock, a pleasant beach, a little more off to the side, hence often more accessible entry prices.
My advice: always favor proximity to a beach or a ferry dock. That’s the criterion that drives up the nightly rate and the occupancy rate.
The real profitability of an Airbnb in Trois-Îlets
Here is the heart of the matter. A well-located, well-managed property in Trois-Îlets delivers solid performance, provided you reason with realistic data rather than platform promises.
Nightly rates and occupancy
Based on what I observe for properly managed furnished rentals in the town:
- Studio / one-bedroom: €70 to €110 per night on average, up to €130–150 at the height of the Carême and during carnival.
- Two-bedroom: €100 to €160 per night, with peaks above that in high season.
- Villa with pool: €180 to €350 per night depending on the amenities and the view.
The annual occupancy rate of a responsive, well-rated property hovers around 60 to 70% in Trois-Îlets, versus 45 to 55% for a listing managed remotely without optimization. The gap is decisive: on a two-bedroom at €130 a night, going from 55% to 70% occupancy represents nearly €7,000 in additional annual revenue.
A worked example
Take a two-bedroom bought for €240,000 in Anse Mitan, furnished for €12,000, rented at €130 a night at 65% occupancy:
- Gross annual revenue: about €30,800 (€130 × 365 × 0.65).
- Recurring costs (condo fees, property tax, insurance, energy, air-conditioning maintenance, consumables): €6,000 to €9,000 per year — salt air and tropical maintenance weigh more than on the mainland.
That works out to a gross yield on the order of 12 to 13%, and a solid net after costs and management. Not every property reaches this level, but the order of magnitude shows why Trois-Îlets remains sought after. To refine your projection, compare with the properties listed in our rentals in Martinique.
