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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Guadeloupe with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Guadeloupe with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN GUADELOUPE
DISCOVER THE FRENCH BUTTERFLY ISLAND
Discover Guadeloupe aboard your next Caribbean yacht charter, a splendid retreat formed by two butterfly-shaped islands named Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. In between them, a narrow channel of seawater called Riviere-Salee parts the way. Each half is remarkably different from the other, making for much to behold in this coveted Caribbean destination.
In the arid lowlands of Grande-Terre, you’ll find flat field with sugar cane amidst brightly-colored towns and long stretches of white sandy beaches. On the opposite island, Basse-Terre, it’s a whole new world with rainforests, mountains, black-sand beaches and prime diving grounds.
You’ll find Guadeloupe halfway down the chain of the Lesser Antilles and an equal distance from the Virgin Islands and Grenada. Not bad places to sail off to with your yacht charter after exploring the lands here. Within the Leeward Islands, it’s an island of the French West Indies situated between Dominica and Antigua. Guadeloupe is the ideal yacht charter destination with the charm of France melded with the tropics with brilliant pops of both African and East Indian culture to round it out. Within this archipelago, the smaller islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, and La Desirade also offer more to see in the way of natural attractions.
Thanks to its positioning, Guadeloupe has beaches on both the Atlantic and Caribbean waters. That explains the diversity of from white sandy beaches to black volcanic sands. Looking for seclusion? You’ll find it here scattered about the island at the end of many dirt roads. Wherever you go, you are never far from a beach. Plus, the clear waters teeming with fish and quite a few ship wrecks make it an enchanting place for divers. Among the most popular is La Reserve Cousteau, though others include Jardin Japonais, Jardin de Corail, and Aquarium. Most of these are found in the Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin which is south of Riviere Salee. Another bay, Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin which is north of Salee, is where you’ll find fantastic diving in the islets of Caret and Fajou.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT GUADELOUPE
From December to May, it’s the best time to visit Guadeloupe. The weather is warm and dry, and the high temperatures stay in the mid-80s. It’s the peak of tourist season though so hotel prices are higher and the crowds are drawn to the powdery sands. Basse-Terra is a few degrees cooler than Grande-Terre, but both have dry conditions during this time, making it ideal for visiting. Because it’s extra popular in both December and January, it’s advised that you book your accommodations several month in advance to avoid disappointment.
June to November is the quiet season. Frequent showers are the norm and you should pay attention for hurricane warnings, particularly in August and September. If high humidity and rainfall don’t bother you, you’ll get better hotel rates and have less tourists to contend with. November is right at the end of the rainy season and the precursor to the busy tourist season so if you time things right, you may find this is a great time to come for your yacht charter in Guadeloupe.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: DECEMBER TO MAY
TIME ZONE: GMT−04:00
LANGUAGE: FRENCH AND CREOLE, ENGLISH WIDELY SPOKEN
CURRENCY: THE EURO
REASONS TO VISIT
COUSTEAU RESERVE
GLORIOUS CREOLE CUISINE
ISLAND HOPPING
LA SOUFRIÈRE VOLCANO
NATIONAL PARKS
RICH CULTURE
RUM
THE BAY OF LES SAINTES
GETTING TO GUADELOUPE
You can find international carriers with direct flights to Pole Caraïbes Airport (PTP) in Guadeloupe including American Airlines flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico; Delta Airlines with weekly flights from Atlanta; Air France, Air Canada, Norwegian, Corsair, and Air Caribes. The airport is just 6 miles from Pointe-à-Pitre and is very modern. Additionally, Norwegian Air Shuttle has a low-cost connection flight that runs from Fort Lauderdale and Point-à-Pitre. You can also arrive via other Caribbean islands from Air Antilles Express and LIAT. Another option is the Air Pass that allows travel between most of the islands of the Lesser Antilles through LIAT. For one month, the cost is about $500 for unlimited flights, but you must pay taxes for each airport.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
Ferry companies also provides service to Guadeloupe from Martinique, which takes about 3 hours. From Dominica, it’s just under 2 hours. You can also find service between Guadeloupe and the smaller islands of Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. It takes about an hour for either option.
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN THE CARIBBEAN
WHERE TO STAY IN GUADELOUPE
There are many types of places to stay in Guadeloupe and the neighboring islands. Choices range from inexpensive inns and rentals to family-owned establishments with a fair price, plus there are many exclusive hotels and luxury resorts. You’ll find the most accommodations in Grand-Terre, most of which have beachfront access. Many attractions are in the area too to give you a good time when you want to take your toes out of the sand. The restaurants are also particularly good in this area.
Nearby Ste. Anne also has plenty of beachfront properties. Nature enthusiasts might like this area best for eco-tourism. There are standard hotels and lodgings but the eco-lodges provide a different experience. Another option are the condos or villas nearby.
In Basse- Terre, watersports are most popular. Whale watching, sailing, windsurfing and fishing are all great things to occupy your time while here. Hotels in the coastal city of Deshaies are your best bet. Depending on the length of your stay, your accommodations may be reflective of this. For example, a longer stay is best in a guest house while those seeking full-on pampering should most certainly live the good life in the resorts. Whatever you choose, it will truly be a sweet time on the islands of Guadeloupe.
WINING AND DINING IN GUADELOUPE
The cuisine of Guadeloupe is a reflection of the many cultures it encompasses. Local Créole specialties are a stunning melding of French cuisine with an African flair and exotic hints of East Indian and Southeast Asian flavors. Fresh seafood is everywhere from shellfish to smoked fish. Curry dishes are divine, and eating in Guadeloupe is a treat for the gourmand.
Around 200 restaurants are recommended by the Tourist Office, making it impossible to find a bad meal. They’re in the hotels, along the sea, and even on the front porches of homes. Local rum drinks are the best way to start a meal and plenty of French wine is encouraged to drink with it. For culinary aficionados, the Fête des Cuisinières is held annually in early August.
Whatever time of year you come to Guadeloupe on your yacht charter, you should try these dishes.
Bokit
Similar to a Johnny cake, this street food is great for lunch or late night munchies. It’s a deep-fried type of bread stuffed with meat, cheese, and adorned with a vinegar-based sauce.
Accras
Another Caribbean classic, this fried fritter is eaten as a snack or starter. Usually, it’s filled with lobster, cod, or shrimp. The African influences are unmistakable and totally divine in these hush-puppy-style fritters.
Fresh Seafood
It’s a sure bet that the fresh catch of the day is the best choice. Everywhere you go, seafood is a staple in Guadeloupe. You’ll find grilled mahi mahi, stuffed conch, land crab, and plenty more. The Caribbean spiny lobster is delicious, though not very good-looking. You shouldn’t leave without tasting it hot off the grill with tons of butter.
Ti' Punch
There are nine distilleries in Guadeloupe with Longueteau on Basse-Terre a very popular choice and thus, at every bar, you’re going to find this rum-based specialty. It’s what the locals order. It’s made with strong-proof rum, cane sugar and lime juice. It will get you tipsy in no time if you’re not careful!
Smoked Chicken
Chicken that soaks in marinade is then smoked in a covered barbecue along with sugar cane. It’s served with rice and something called dog sauce, but don’t worry. There are no dogs in any part of it. Gratins or fries are another side that goes well.
Sorbet Coco
With all the coconuts in Guadeloupe, the locals use them in everything from drinks to desserts to breakfast foods. The best way to try it is frozen. Sorbet coco is available just about anywhere from the outdoor markets to around the beaches. It has more of the taste and texture of gelato than sorbet and is utterly divine.
Bokits and Agoulous
The most popular street food in the islands, you’ll find them on mobile trucks. Bokits are similar to donuts but are garnished with meat, ham, egg, cheese, or fish. Agoulou is a sandwich that looks like a bokit but it’s flat and grilled.
Bonifieur Coffee
Local coffee producers around Vieux still produce Bonifieur to enhance coffee blends. If you love coffee, you must try it.
Hot and Tasty Sauces
That dog sauce we mentioned earlier? It’s a condiment that is widely used in Guadeloupe, made from onions, cive peppers, oil, and lemons. It’s amazing on just about everything.
