An island with a distinct French accent, Martinique is not a traditional destination of North American divers. The majority of the diving activity is geared to French vacationers who wish to perform a few dives during the course of a tropical vacation, or who are experiencing resort or training dives. While trade winds and oceanic swells lash most of the island's exposed eastern shore, the sheltered western shore offers reef, wreck and wall diving opportunities. Heavy fishing pressure has had an effect on the health of some reefs, and the best sites can be found to the north and south of the major town of Fort-de-France. To the north, St. Pierre bay provides a unique opportunity to witness a wreck graveyard caused by the eruption of Mt. Pelee at the turn of the century, while the southwestern region contains the greatest variety of tropical fish life.