An exceptional seaside destination
Here, water sports enthusiasts have everything they need! All kinds of activities are available, whether you're looking for whales, a leisurely sailboat trip, exceptional diving sites, surfing, jet skis, paddling or sea kayaking... Many centers offer rental packages by the hour, half-day or longer, with or without a guide.
Sea excursions. The concept is simple: a day with a guide, often with your own boat, to discover the islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, the islet of Petite-Terre... The day is divided into several stages: swimming and snorkeling stops, lunch on board or in a local restaurant, free or guided visits... Departures are mainly from the marinas at Le Gosier, Saint-François, Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre, Sainte-Rose and Malendure beach near Bouillante. Aboard a maxi-catamaran or sometimes a motorboat, the day begins early in the morning, around 8 or 9 am, and ends before nightfall, around 5-5:30 pm.
Cetaceans to starboard! Whales and sperm whales visit the Caribbean Sea at certain times of the year. Cetaceans first come to breed in the warm waters from December to May. After the mating season, they head up the North Atlantic to build up their fat reserves with krill. They can be seen off the coast (in Basse-Terre, Côte-sous-le-Vent, near Deshaies, Bouillante or Pointe-Noire, or in Grande-Terre, near the Pointe de la Grande Vigie or Pointe des Châteaux). Sometimes, too, mischievous dolphins seem to open the way for boats, but nothing is guaranteed when it comes to observing large marine mammals.
Glass-bottomed boat. For those who don't want to dive, the glass-bottomed boats are accessible to all, and allow you to discover the aquatic fauna and flora while sitting quietly on a bench at the bottom of the boat, with a stop for a swim. Departures from Bouillante and Malendure beach.
Sailing. The Traditour is the Guadeloupe vacation sailing event of the year. It's a traditional Saint-Saint canoe race like few others! The canoeists, organized in teams, take on this local challenge with strength and perseverance. Throughout the year, volunteers and yachtsmen train by taking part in small races, helping to keep Guadeloupe's maritime tradition alive. Numerous events are organized at the finish of each of the 8 stages of the Traditour, spread over 7 days.
And for sailing enthusiasts, the Guadeloupe archipelago offers a wealth of excellent home ports and splendid anchorages in the Caribbean Sea and nearby islands. Introductory sailing courses for young and old are also available at several of the archipelago's sailing centers.
Scuba diving. If Karukera, "the island of beautiful waters", deserves its name for its many rivers, fresh waterfalls and springs, it can also claim it for the beauty of its beaches and underwater world. Divers from all over the world make no mistake! The waters are translucent, warm all year round, the seabed colorful, the flora abundant and the fauna diverse. Two islets (Kahouanne and Tête-à-l'Anglais) to the north of Basse-Terre, a multitude of arches and caves off Saint-François, not forgetting Le Gosier, Trois-Rivières and the extreme south of the island, right down to the mythical Sec-Pâté in the Canal des Saintes: there are so many remarkable dive sites in Guadeloupe, it would be difficult to list them all here! Another must-see site is the Réserve Cousteau, off Malendure beach in the commune of Bouillante. A fabulous setting nestled between the îlets Pigeon, where recreational fishing is prohibited. A bust of the famous commandant, immersed in 13 m of water, now stands eternal watch over the beauty of this world of silence... The area is home to the greatest variety of sponges in the world, over a hundred species with surprising architectures, and no less than a hundred corals including elkhorns, brains and fire coral, scattered among gorgonians and anemones; not forgetting the superb bouquets of sabelles, whose plumes retract at the slightest touch. On the sand, you can observe molluscs hidden in their protective shells, and sea turtles. You'll also discover the imposing lambis, which you'll have the opportunity to taste on Guadeloupean tables, as well as the small, precious Caribbean coins, as delicate as porcelain! The La Soufrière volcano (La Vieille Dame) is active, though dormant for the moment, and you'll be surprised to find resurgences of warm, but fresh, water here!
Surfing. Surfing first appeared on Guadeloupe nearly 30 years ago. And the spots are numerous. On the northern coast, the bay of Le Moule won the majority of votes for best spot, for the regularity of its waves, followed by Anse-Bertrand (plage de la Chapelle) and Saint-François (Anse à la Gourde), with long winter swells from the north and trade winds that provide ideal wind conditions. Other popular spots are located on the south coast, mainly at Petit-Havre, La Caravelle and Le Helleux in Sainte-Anne. In Basse-Terre, the beaches of Cluny in Sainte-Rose and Bananiers in Capesterre-Belle-Eau are also ideal.
Kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is a very fashionable discipline, and involves the use of a wakeboard towed by a kite. After just a few lessons at schools such as Bois-Jolan in Sainte-Anne or Plage des Salines in Le Gosier, you'll be ready for a thrilling ride!
Foil, e-foil, wind-foil. This recent discipline, which gives the impression of flying on water, is becoming increasingly popular in Guadeloupe. There are a growing number of clubs and schools offering lessons or rentals. Don't hesitate to ask their advice to discover the best spots.
Canoeing and paddling. Here's a great way to explore the islets of Pigeon, the Côte-sous-le-vent, the Grand Cul-de-sac marin, the mangrove swamps... It's fun, easy and friendly, and you'll love it!
Big-game fishing. Supervised by professional boaters, big-game fishing is still possible, but it's no picnic. Boaters are not allowed to fish in the Grand Cul-de-sac marin reserve, at îlet Pigeon, in Petite-Terre and north of Désirade (banc du Crabier). Our professionals will be happy to show you the best places to fish, and inform you of any bans in certain areas.
In the lands too, discoveries guaranteed!
But Guadeloupe isn't just about the sea! For those who want to get to know Guadeloupe from the inside out, nothing beats a good hike along the coast or inland. The lush tropical nature, the abundant rivers to cool off in, the natural basins, the agricultural heritage and the eco-museums are the rhythms of the walks, more or less sporty, to suit you. Others will opt for more confidential disciplines such as horse-riding or golf.
Hiking. With its 300 km of marked trails, its various nature reserves spread over almost 1,800 hectares of tropical forest and its picnic areas, Guadeloupe is particularly open to exploration on foot. You'll need to combine coastal paths with those of the nature park and agricultural areas, all punctuated by swimming on the beaches and in the lagoons. In Basse-Terre, you're spoilt for choice, adapting your walk to your physical abilities. In the Guadeloupe National Park, you'll be seduced by the exuberance of nature. Although most hikes are not particularly difficult, some do require a good level of physical fitness. The presence of a guide is recommended to better discover the landscapes and flora. The Parc national de la Guadeloupe has developed an application(www.randoguadeloupe.gp) which allows you to choose the type of hike according to difficulty, location, duration, etc. Another practical feature is that trail conditions are regularly updated on www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr.
Trekking, aquarando, canyoning. There are different levels to consider on the pleasant Trace des Étangs, which will take you between 1h30 and 2 hours to walk between Capesterre and Matouba, or on the truly sporting route from the Carbet Falls to Capesterre, which requires both power and stamina for some tricky sections. Near Goyave, there's the Moreau Falls trail in Goyave (4h), the Soufrière tour (2h30), which is pleasant and not too strenuous, and the mythical Victor-Hugues trail, reserved for experienced hikers, which crosses the whole of Basse-Terre, passing through some of the most beautiful sites. For endurance addicts, there are river swims, jumps and rock slides (with or without a bivouac), and adventure raids to discover the archipelago in adrenaline mode. Don't leave without a guide if you're in any doubt, as this wilderness is unforgiving of the unwary..
Adventure courses. Guadeloupe's growing number of accrobranche courses offer the chance to walk on nets suspended in the vegetation, amidst trees that are sometimes hundreds of years old. A wide choice of original canopy walks is within your reach. An activity for the whole family.
Horseback riding. For horse-riding enthusiasts, there are long rides along the beach, forest walks and escapades through the sugar cane fields. Several clubs offer these services, for experienced riders and beginners alike.
Golf. Saint-François boasts an 18-hole international golf course. The town has benefited greatly from this infrastructure, which attracts a cosmopolitan clientele.
Aerial leisure. Microlights, paragliding, skydiving, helicopters... there are many ways to discover the archipelago from the air. For unforgettable memories!
