You may not have known it, but the islands of Guadeloupe are not just made up of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre.
It’s true that Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre could be seen as two distinct islands, so different are their atmospheres.
But these two territories are on the same island, so you can get from one to the other easily by road, with no need to take a boat. To give you an idea, Guadeloupe is shaped like a butterfly: one wing would be Basse-Terre and the other Grande-Terre.
Today we invite you to discover the islands around Guadeloupe, some of the most beautiful natural gems in the Caribbean:
- Les Saintes
- Marie-Galante
- La Désirade
- The islands of Petite-Terre.
Islands of Guadeloupe: stop off at Les Saintes
Christopher Columbus named this archipelago “Los Santos” when he discovered it in 1493, shortly after All Saints’ Day. Six centuries later, six of the nine islands remain uninhabited. A charter sailboat is an excellent way to get there.
Of the two inhabited islands of Les Saintes, Terre-de-Bas is a must-see, for the golden sands of Grande-Anse beach.
The main island, Terre-de-Haut, is home to the Baie des Saintes, classified by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Around the bay are three forts, including Fort Napoléon. Today, it’s a museum dedicated to the island’s history and natural environment. You’ll find a cactus conservatory filled with varieties from all over the world.
Pain de Sucre, one of the most beautiful of Guadeloupe’s 350 beaches, may be a little difficult to get to, but – wow! – it’s worth the effort.
One of our top tips is to hire an electric buggy to take you around the island. Especially if you’re accompanied by children.
How about lunch in a seaside restaurant?
Head to Ti Kaz’ La, Ti Bo Doudou or La Pause Créole for a feast of fresh seafood. Remember, everything tastes better with your feet in the sand.
Finish your meal with the local specialty, tourment d’Amour. Tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside, the “tourment d’amour” tart is made with coconut, banana or guava. According to legend, this is what sailors’ wives used to make while waiting for their husbands to return…
Explore Marie-Galante
It was Christopher Columbus who named the island Marie-Galante, after the ship he was sailing on when he arrived in 1493.
It brought with it the cultivation of sugar cane, leading to plantations that were farmed by slaves. To exploit the sugar cane, mills were needed, hence the island’s name: “the island of a hundred mills”.
Today, some mills are tourist attractions, including the well-preserved L’Habitation Murat eco-museum and the Bézard mill in Capesterre. Or the windmill of the Bellevue distillery, which makes award-winning rums.
You absolutely must stop by for a tasting.
And don’t miss Marie-Galante’s perfect beaches:
- L’Anse de Mays in Saint-Louis
- La Feuillère in Capesterre
- L’Anse Moustique in Saint-Louis.
Make the most of your visit to Saint-Louis and take a tour of Le Gueule Grand Gouffre, a natural arch carved into the cliffs by the sea.
Since 2000, the island has also hosted the annual Terre de Blues jazz festival. The festival, which takes place during Pentecost (end of May), welcomes a host of jazz artists including Lauryn Hill, Jocelyn Beroard and Tito Punte Jr.
La Désirade: a haven of peace
Easily accessible by boat in 45 minutes from Saint-François, the island of Désirade is a haven of peace, untouched by mass tourism. A change of scenery is guaranteed on this island, where the locals sport smiles and nonchalance.
If you’re a wilderness enthusiast, you’ll love this little 11 km long and 2 km wide.
La Désirade has opted for ecotourism to protect its flora and fauna. It is a geological nature reserve with unique landscapes.
Here we find the Plateau de la Montagne, or the great central plateau, which rises to 275 metres.
North of Désirade, the landscape is wild, with arid vegetation, volcanic rocks and impressive cliffs.
In the south, you’ll find the locals and some beautiful beaches. Don’t miss Plage du Souffleur, one of the most beautiful on the island.
You can hire a 4×4 to take the “Route de la Montagne” trail, only in fine weather. It’s 10 km long and starts from Beauséjour. It takes you to the heights, with extraordinary panoramas overlooking the island.
Discovering the islands of Petite-Terre
The Petite-Terre islands are a well-kept secret. They lie between Grande-Terre (Saint-François) and La Désirade.
The Petite-Terre islands consist of two tiny uninhabited islands: Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas.
Access to these islands is restricted, as you are entering a nature reserve. You can visit them on an excursion departing from Saint-François. Please note: the number of passengers is limited. We recommend a day trip with Paradoxe Croisières. A large sailing catamaran that allows you to sail at the rhythm of the wind, without too much rocking (as opposed to motorized cigarette boats).
Once there, you’ll be impressed by the beauty of the pristine beaches, dotted with coconut palms. The lagoon is sublime.
Petite-Terre is home to Guadeloupe’s oldest lighthouse (1840). It is the island’s highest point.
Protected species living on these islands include two specimens of lizard (the anolis and the skink). There are also oystercatchers and rare birds: yellow-bellied sugarbirds. Be careful not to step on an iguana! The island is full of them, much to the delight of observers. They’re harmless!
There are several hiking trails where you can catch a glimpse of all these rare species.
Spending the day on the islands of Petite-Terre is an excellent idea and a must-do if you’re visiting Guadeloupe.
