BEACHES & COAST
4Anse Bertrand Beach
Beach
Secluded golden beach on the far north of Grande-Terre, rarely crowded and surrounded by cliffs.
🟢
7Anse a la Barque Beach
Beach
Picturesque small bay beach at Vieux-Habitants on Basse-Terre with calm clear water and fishing boats.
🟢
Anse du Souffleur Port Louis
Beach
Postcard-perfect beach at Port Louis on northern Grande-Terre with crystal-clear turquoise water.
🟡
Grande Anse Beach
Beach
Wide golden-sand beach on southern Basse-Terre, sheltered by palms -- arguably Guadeloupe's most beautiful.
🔴
La Biche Beach
Beach
Wild undeveloped beach on northern Grande-Terre accessible via short path, beloved by locals.
🟢
5Plage de Clugny
Beach
Long wild beach on Basse-Terre's Atlantic coast with strong waves and untouched golden sand.
🟢
Plage de Fajou
Beach
Pristine white-sand beach on Ilet Fajou in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin nature reserve, boat access only.
🟢
Plage de Gosier
Beach
Popular town beach at Gosier with cafes, water sports and a view of the small Ilet du Gosier.
🔴
Plage de Petit Havre
Beach
Sheltered cove beach near Gosier with calm clear water, good snorkeling and a relaxed atmosphere.
🟡
Plage de Saint-Felix
Beach
Calm turquoise lagoon beach near Gosier, popular with families for its gentle shallow waters.
🟡
Plage de l'Autre Bord
Beach
Exposed Atlantic beach near Le Moule with powerful waves and dramatic scenery, popular with surfers.
🟡
Plage de la Caravelle
Beach
Long white-sand beach near Sainte-Anne fringed with palms, partly bordering the Club Med resort.
🔴
3Plage de la Datcha
Beach
Quiet beach east of Sainte-Anne with wild dunes, nudist-friendly areas and strong Atlantic waves.
🟢
6Plage de la Perle
Beach
Remote dark-sand beach backed by rainforest on Basse-Terre's northwest coast -- wild and spectacular.
🟢
Plage des Salines Marie-Galante
Beach
Remote white-sand beach on Marie-Galante's southwest coast backed by salt ponds and casuarina trees.
🟢
Plage du Bourg de Sainte-Anne
Beach
Central town beach of Sainte-Anne lined with restaurants and bars, lively with local beach culture.
🔴
Plage du Helleux
Beach
Calm reef-protected beach near Sainte-Anne, ideal for swimming and snorkeling in shallow turquoise water.
🟡
Pointe des Chateaux
Beach
Dramatic rocky peninsula at Grande-Terre's eastern tip with rugged coves and panoramic Atlantic views.
🟡
20Anse a la Barque Reef
Snorkel spot
Sheltered reef at Vieux-Habitants bay with excellent snorkeling over brain coral and colorful reef fish.
🟢
Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin
Snorkel spot
Vast protected lagoon north of Basse-Terre with extensive coral gardens, sea grass beds and sea turtles.
🟢
Ilet Pigeon Pigeon Island
Snorkel spot
Small volcanic islets within the Cousteau Reserve offering superb diving with turtles and nurse sharks.
🔴
Ilet du Gosier
Snorkel spot
Tiny protected islet off Gosier accessible by kayak or boat with shallow reefs and abundant fish life.
🟡
Les Saintes Underwater Reserve
Snorkel spot
Crystal-clear waters around Terre-de-Haut with rich coral reefs, rays and exceptional underwater visibility.
🟡
Marie-Galante Coral Reef
Snorkel spot
Pristine barrier reef off Marie-Galante's west coast with untouched coral gardens and hawksbill turtles.
🟢
Pointe des Chateaux Reef
Snorkel spot
Dramatic reef system around Guadeloupe's eastern tip with Atlantic currents bringing diverse marine life.
🟡
Reserve Cousteau Malendure
Snorkel spot
World-famous marine reserve declared by Jacques Cousteau in 1960, teeming with coral and tropical fish.
🔴
NATURE
Cascade aux Ecrevisses
Nature
Easily accessible freshwater waterfall near Pointe-Noire with a natural swimming pool and forest trail.
🔴
Chutes du Carbet
Nature
Three-tiered spectacular waterfall cascade in Basse-Terre rainforest, tallest falls in the Caribbean.
🟡
12Deshaies Rainforest
Nature
Lush tropical rainforest above Deshaies village with hiking trails, waterfalls and endemic wildlife.
🟢
Etang des Salines Flamingo Area
Nature
Coastal salt pond near Sainte-Anne attracting flamingos, herons and migratory shorebirds year-round.
🟡
Foret de Montravail
Nature
Ancient tropical hardwood forest in southern Basse-Terre with giant mahogany trees and rare tree ferns.
🟢
Grand Etang Lake
Nature
Volcanic crater lake at 400m altitude in dense rainforest, surrounded by tree ferns and exotic orchids.
🟢
9Ilet Fajou Mangrove Reserve
Nature
Uninhabited island in Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin covered in pristine mangrove forest, a birdwatcher's paradise.
🟢
Jardin Botanique de Deshaies
Nature
Stunning botanical garden in Deshaies with 1,000+ tropical plant species, flamingos and parrots.
🔴
La Soufriere Volcano
Nature
Active stratovolcano at 1467m, the Caribbean's highest peak south of Cuba -- steaming fumaroles on summit.
🟡
10Mangroves de la Grande Vigie
Nature
Extensive coastal mangroves at Guadeloupe's northernmost point, vital habitat for migratory birds.
🟢
Parc National de la Guadeloupe
Nature
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering 74,000 hectares of volcanic peaks, tropical rainforest and mangroves.
🟡
11Pointe du Vieux Fort
Nature
Dramatic southernmost headland of Basse-Terre with sweeping views across to Les Saintes islands.
🟢
8Soufriere Lava Flow Trail
Nature
Guided trail through hardened 1976-77 lava flows on La Soufriere's flanks, surreal volcanic landscape.
🟢
Trace des Cols Hiking Trail
Nature
Challenging multi-day ridge trail crossing Basse-Terre's volcanic spine through cloud forest and peaks.
🟢
CULTURE & HISTORY
19Allee Dumanoir Capesterre
Historic site
Magnificent 19th-century avenue of royal palms leading to Capesterre, one of the most photographed roads in Guadeloupe.
🟡
15Capesterre-Belle-Eau Colonial Church
Historic site
Elegant 18th-century Catholic church in Capesterre flanked by royal palms lining the historic Allee Dumanoir.
🟡
13Fort Fleur d'Epee
Historic site
18th-century French fortress on Grande-Terre coast with well-preserved ramparts and panoramic sea views.
🟡
14Fort Louis Delgres
Historic site
Imposing 1649 fort in Basse-Terre town named after the hero who resisted Napoleonic troops -- national heritage.
🟡
16Morne-a-l'Eau Chessboard Cemetery
Historic site
Unique cemetery with thousands of black-and-white chessboard-patterned tombs -- most distinctive in Caribbean.
🟡
2Musee Saint-John Perse Pointe-a-Pitre
Historic site
Elegant colonial mansion museum celebrating Nobel laureate poet Alexis Leger, born in Guadeloupe in 1887.
🟢
17Musee Schoelcher Pointe-a-Pitre
Historic site
Museum dedicated to Victor Schoelcher, the abolitionist who ended slavery in French colonies in 1848.
🟡
18Saint-Francois Colonial Core
Historic site
Historic town center with a colonial church, old sugar warehouse and covered market by the fishing harbour.
🟡
Sucrerie du Comte Sugar Mill Ruins
Historic site
Atmospheric ruins of a colonial sugar mill estate with original stone windmill tower amid tropical vegetation.
🟢
1Vieux-Habitants Colonial Village
Historic site
Oldest permanently settled village in Guadeloupe (1636) with a beautifully preserved colonial church.
🟢
ACTIVITIES & LOCAL
Cycling Grande-Terre
Activity
Flat terrain of Grande-Terre makes it ideal for cycling -- rental bikes available at Saint-Francois marina.
🟢
Deep-Sea Fishing Charter
Activity
Big-game fishing charters departing Saint-Francois marina targeting mahi-mahi, marlin and wahoo.
🟢
Hiking La Soufriere Summit
Activity
Full-day guided hike to the active summit of La Soufriere, passing fumaroles and volcanic moonscapes.
🟡
Kayak Riviere Lezarde
Activity
Guided kayak descent down the Lezarde River through dense jungle and past natural swimming pools.
🟡
Kite-surfing Saint-Francois Lagoon
Activity
World-class kite-surfing lagoon at Saint-Francois with flat water, trade winds and several rental schools.
🟡
Night Kayak Bioluminescence Tour
Activity
After-dark kayak through glowing bioluminescent plankton in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon.
🟡
Route du Rhum Rum Tasting Route
Activity
Self-guided rum distillery circuit along Basse-Terre linking agricultural rum producers with tastings.
🟡
Scooter Rental Les Saintes
Activity
Rent a scooter on Terre-de-Haut to explore the island's bays, fort and hillside viewpoints car-free.
🟡
Sea Kayak Les Saintes
Activity
Kayaking between the islets of Les Saintes through turquoise lagoons and secluded bays, rentals available.
🟡
Surfing at Le Moule
Activity
Atlantic-exposed beach at Le Moule with consistent reef breaks, popular with local and visiting surfers.
🟡
Zip-line Aventures Tropicales
Activity
Canopy zip-line park above Basse-Terre rainforest offering thrilling rides and treetop aerial platforms.
🟡
Accras de Morue Fritter Stalls
Local producer
Guadeloupe's favorite street food snack, crispy saltfish fritters (accras), served hot with ti-punch.
🟡
Bokit Sandwich Culture
Local producer
Guadeloupe's unique fried bread sandwich stuffed with accras, chicken or salt fish -- found island-wide.
🟡
Boudin Creole Black Pudding Culture
Local producer
Guadeloupe's iconic spiced Creole black pudding, sold at roadside stalls and markets across both islands.
🟡
Bwa Chik Restaurant Area Gosier
Local producer
Cluster of lively open-air Creole restaurants at Gosier waterfront serving fresh grilled fish and accras.
🔴
Carnival of Guadeloupe
Local producer
Spectacular Caribbean carnival from Sunday Gras to Vaval burning on Ash Wednesday with vivid Creole costumes.
🔴
Distillerie Damoiseau
Local producer
Guadeloupe's largest rum producer at Le Moule with guided tours of its cane fields and distillery.
🔴
Distillerie Longueteau
Local producer
Oldest sugarcane agricultural rum distillery in Capesterre, producing award-winning rhum agricole since 1895.
🟡
Distillerie Reimonenq
Local producer
Family rum distillery near Sainte-Rose with a small rum museum and tastings of vintage agricole rum.
🟡
Les Saintes Village Terre-de-Haut
Local producer
Charming Breton-flavored fishing village with colorful houses, outdoor cafes and the famous doudou pastry.
🔴
Marche Artisanal Sainte-Anne
Local producer
Artisan craft market at Sainte-Anne selling madras fabrics, woven baskets, shell jewelry and local spices.
🟡
Marche de Capesterre
Local producer
Busy Saturday market in Capesterre-Belle-Eau with bananas, vanilla, cacao and local Creole prepared foods.
🟡
Marche de Pointe-a-Pitre
Local producer
Vibrant central market overflowing with exotic tropical fruits, Creole spices, madras fabrics and flowers.
🔴
Marche de Saint-Claude
Local producer
Hilltop village market near Basse-Terre town offering fresh mountain produce, herbs and local handicrafts.
🟢
Musee du Rhum Reimonenq
Local producer
Small museum at Reimonenq distillery tracing 400 years of sugarcane and rum history in Guadeloupe.
🟢
Poisson Grille Restaurants Sainte-Anne
Local producer
Row of beach restaurants at Sainte-Anne grilling freshly caught fish over charcoal -- unmissable Creole dining.
🔴
Sucre d'Orge Candy Tradition
Local producer
Traditional barley-sugar candy made by nuns in Basse-Terre since the 18th century -- unique local sweet.
🟢
Ti-Punch Bar Culture
Local producer
Guadeloupe's beloved aperitif of white rhum agricole, cane syrup and lime -- served at every local bar.
🟡
GETTING THERE
ACAJOU Ferry Terminal Trois-Rivieres
Transport
Southern Basse-Terre ferry terminal with frequent crossings to Les Saintes archipelago.
🟡
BRUDEY Freres Ferry Hub Pointe-a-Pitre
Transport
Local ferry operator departing Pointe-a-Pitre serving Les Saintes and Marie-Galante islands.
🟡
Car Rental at PTP Airport
Transport
Major car rental agencies at Pole Caraibes Airport -- essential for exploring both islands freely.
🔴
Ferry to Marie-Galante Pointe-a-Pitre
Transport
Daily ferries from Pointe-a-Pitre to the flat, rum-producing island of Marie-Galante.
🟡
L'Express des Iles Ferry Terminal Pointe-a-Pitre
Transport
Main inter-island ferry hub linking Guadeloupe to Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia and Barbados.
🔴
Pointe-a-Pitre Pole Caraibes Airport
Transport
Main international airport serving Guadeloupe with direct flights from Europe and the Americas.
🔴
Port Louis Harbour
Transport
Charming northern Grande-Terre harbour with fishing boats and ferry connections to Basse-Terre.
🟢
Saint-Francois Marina
Transport
Eastern Grande-Terre marina and hub for boat charters, day trips to La Desirade and Les Saintes.
🟡