Diamond Rock

Two kilometres off the south coast, Diamond Rock spikes 175 metres of basalt out of the channel - and owns the Caribbean's oddest naval history: in 1804 the Royal Navy garrisoned it with cannon and commissioned the islet as a sloop-of-war, HMS Diamond Rock, harassing French shipping for seventeen months until a determined siege (rum-assisted, legend insists) retook it. Today the rock is a seabird colony and one of the island's celebrated dive sites, while the shore facing it does the visiting: Le Diamant's long beach, the Morne Larcher headland walk with the classic panorama, and the Anse Cafard memorial's white statues holding their solemn watch nearby.

What you actually see

• The rock itself - the 175-metre stack in its channel light.
• The Morne Larcher walk - the headland climb to the panorama.
• Le Diamant beach - the long southern strand facing the rock.
• The Anse Cafard memorial - the white stone watchers by the shore.

When to go

December to May for clear channel views and the driest headland path; sunset lights the rock from the beach's western end. Dive trips run on sea state - book with the Diamant clubs.

Honest expectations

Landing on the rock is not a tourist option - it is viewed, dived or circled by boat; the famous history lives in the telling and the silhouette. The Morne Larcher trail is steep and slick in shade. Diamant beach's swimming varies with swell - respect the flags and locals' judgement.

Nearby

Les Anses-d'Arlet's coves, Sainte-Luce and the south's rum stops.