Planning your trip to the West Indies and want to know where to dive in Guadeloupe? Find out quickly about the island’s best diving spots. Scuba diving is undoubtedly the best way to discover Guadeloupe’s natural riches.
Guadeloupe’s best-known diving spots are to be found on the “leeward” coast to the west and south of the island, in Basse-Terre. The advantage of “l’île aux belles eaux” is that you can dive in a wide variety of conditions and environments:
- The most accessible dives are in sublime lagoons,
- and in the passes and drop-offs for the most experienced divers.
There’s bound to be the perfect spot for you in Guadeloupe, whether it’s a few meters deep or several dozen meters, so get ready to be amazed!
Where to dive in Grande-Terre
South of Saint-François: diving in the Petite-Terre reserve
The Petite-Terre reserve is an idyllic spot for diving. It is in fact a nature reserve with a protected area of 1,000 hectares. It encompasses the two islands of Petite-Terre. In fact, it’s in the channel separating the two islands that you’ll find a wonderful playground.
It’s such an accessible spot that you can enjoy the seabed with just a mask and snorkel. You’ll swim in transparent, shallow waters, where you’ll be lucky enough to spot large rays, turtles, barracudas or lemon sharks.
A diving experience in the Saint-François lagoon
The island’s largest diving club is located in Saint-François. It’s the ideal place for your first dive, in a magnificent, safe setting. Discovering the coral reef for the first time is every diver’s dream!
L’îlet Gosier: easy diving
L’îlet Gosier lies just opposite Le Gosier, to the east of Pointe-à-Pitre. The islet is barely a kilometer long. It offers easy diving in shallow waters with beautiful coral reefs. In this protected natural area, you’ll see underwater species typical of the West Indies.
Where to dive in Basse-Terre
A must-see site in Bouillante: the Cousteau Reserve
Located between Bouillante and Pointe-Noire, west of Basse-Terre, îlet Pigeon and Réserve Cousteau offer a variety of diving spots, including :
- The Aquarium
- La Piscine
- The Coral Garden
You can descend to depths of between 0 and 15 metres to discover the area’s rich underwater life.
In 1959, Captain Cousteau discovered the beauty of the Malendure and îlets Pigeon seabeds. Having literally fallen under the spell of this magical place, he pointed out the need to protect such biodiversity.
For more experienced divers, with dives of over 40 metres, there are three choice spots:
- Barracuda Point
- La Pointe Carangue
- Hot Springs
From Plage de Malendure, don’t miss Pointe Malendure and the Jardin Japonais. You’ll come across tropical fish, swim alongside turtles and enjoy excellent visibility all year round.
Diving in Guadeloupe’s National Park: the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin
The Baie du Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin is a diving spot suitable for novices and experienced divers alike. It lies between the islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, with a surface area of 15,000 ha. It is home to an exceptional biodiversity: sponges, coral, fish… a wide range of habitats. You can admire them by snorkeling, underwater trekking or scuba diving.
Sublime diving in Les Saintes and Marie-Galante
The Sec-Pâté site in Les Saintes: from 15 to 300 meters!
More precisely located between the Saintes archipelago and Guadeloupe, Sec-Pâté is a must-do if you’re diving in the Caribbean. However, you’ll need at least a Level 2 to access it, as this spot starts at 15 meters and ends at 300!
The Sec-Pâté site is a mythical spot where some of the finest specimens in the Caribbean can be found: king angelfish as wide as a 33 rpm record, grey angelfish, oceanic triggerfish, predatory fish and moray eels the width of a tree trunk. All in a sumptuous setting.
As soon as you’re in the water, you head off into the depths, at 40 meters, to tour the massif, a veritable underwater mountain. The faults and cavities reveal astonishing fauna in a unique setting: tubular sponges, vibrantly colored gorgonians, coral and crinoids.
But it’s a spot that has to be earned, and it’s best to choose your day carefully. Otherwise, swell and currents can make things difficult.
Exploring almost untouched dive sites in Marie-Galante
Marie-Galante is quite simply the best family diving spot in Guadeloupe. The sites are all within easy reach: 10 to 15 minutes by boat.
If you don’t know where to dive in Guadeloupe, look no further. Marie-Galante promises a unique experience, both human and underwater, in a confidential atmosphere far removed from mass tourism.
The dive sites on Marie-Galante, also known as Les Cayes, are made up of long, gently sloping plateaus. They are home to lobsters, spotted moray eels, flatfish and schools of lutjans…
On this unspoilt island, you’ll have the soul of a discoverer as you explore dive sites that are virtually untouched, but emblematic of the Caribbean.
Don’t miss the impressive diversity of the Capesterre seabed, the Coral Garden, Tico and Grande Ancre.
Guadeloupe, a diver’s paradise
“L’île aux belles eaux” promises a colorful diving experience. Its seabed is a veritable aquatic garden where you’ll have the time of your life. Each time you dive, you’ll be accompanied by a myriad of tropical fish, corals, sea anemones, crinoids, gorgonians and colorful tubular sponges.
