10 Best Islands in Guadeloupe

Two little islets off the west coast of Basse-Terre, the Îlets Pigeon are amongst Guadeloupe’s most popular dive spots. The protected waters of the Réserve Cousteau are home to sea turtles and a wide array of tropical fish, although the magnificent corals the reserve was once known for are largely gone.

Access the Îlets Pigeon by boat or rent a kayak on Malendure Beach and paddle out yourself (it’s less than 2 km). There are several shallow spots around the islets where amateur divers can get accustomed to the water.

45 minutes by ferry from the east coast of Grande-Terre lies La Désirade, the least touristy of Guadeloupe’s main islands. This peaceful place is a poet’s paradise: sleepy towns sprinkled throughout green mountains bordered by long, empty beaches. The Réserve Naturelle Nationale ensures that vegetation and wildlife thrive here, and you’ll come across a number of protected plant and animal species.

La Désirade is hardly developed and villages exude small-town Caribbean charm. Lunch with the locals at a handful of restaurants serving fresh fish and spicy Creole cuisine.

Terre-de-Bas is the quieter of the 2 inhabited islands in the Les Saintes archipelago. Residents here have preserved traditional culture and trades, with many working as fishermen and craftspeople. The island is known for its production of the fisherman’s Salako, a hand-woven bamboo hat.

There is much to discover on Terre-de-Bas, with 4 marked hiking trails running through a mountainous interior. Whether you take the easy 45-minute trek or a challenging cliff trail, expect to meet a colourful variety of natural life, including rainbow eucalyptus and crested partridges with scarlet plumes. Grande Anse is the island’s only beach. While the waters are too rough to swim, soft sands away from the crowds make it a great spot to relax under the sun.

The Îlet à Cochons is the largest of several little islets near the harbour of Pointe-à-Pitre. Named for the wild pigs that used to roam its marshes, today the simple islet is inhabited mostly by birds. On the weekends, fishermen gather here for beachside barbeques.

Just 5 minutes by boat from the marina, this small, green islet is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Do as the locals do: pack a picnic and head to the beach. The islet’s quiet, white-sand beaches offer a charming view of the bay at Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin.

The eastern half of Guadeloupe proper, Grande-Terre is Guadeloupe’s tourism and entertainment hub. While farmland occupies the island’s relatively flat interior, the coasts offer spectacular beaches and vibrant nightlife. A favourite of foodies, Grande-Terre serves up top-tier seafood and both classic and inventive Creole creations.

Protected by offshore reefs, the calm waters of the south coast beaches draw the most visitors. The quintessential Caribbean experience awaits beachgoers here, with coconut palms shading powdery sands and waterfront sellers offering pineapple rum punch.

The laid-back island of Marie-Galante is known for its breath-taking beaches and rum distilleries. Also called the “Island of a Hundred Windmills,” some of these old stone structures still stand in the sugar cane fields. Guadeloupe’s ‘rhum agricole’ gets its distinctive flavour from sugar cane juice rather than molasses and Marie-Galante is home to several distilleries including the well-known Distillerie Poisson.

Explore the island’s 10 beaches, each with its own flavour of the Caribbean dream. The wide, wild Anse Feuillard is best for sunning yourself in seclusion. The shadows of towering palms dot the soft sands of Capesterre, a tropical paradise. The beach at the town of Grand-Bourg is lit up in the evenings, making it perfect for an after-dinner dip.

Les Saintes archipelago is a group of 9 islands connected by turquoise lagoons teeming with coral and marine life. The best way to explore it is by renting yourself a boat. Hop from island to island and discover exciting spots to dive among the wide variety of tropical fish and corals.

Terre-de-Haut is the loveliest and most visited of the islands, with colourful wooden houses and outdoor bistros lining the streets. On a romantic island full of idyllic beaches, Sugarloaf Beach is particularly charming, bordered on one side by a plump, green hill. The Baie des Saintes is recognised as one of the most beautiful bays on the planet.

Basse-Terre is the largest of Guadeloupe’s islands and home to the Guadeloupe National Park. The park offers spectacular hiking, with hundreds of paths in dense rainforest passing glittering waterfalls and ferns of Jurassic proportion. Towering in the south centre are the jagged green peaks of La Soufrière volcano, the highest point in the Antilles. The Guadeloupe Zoo is home to 85 species endemic to the Caribbean and elevated suspension bridges throughout the park offer walks through the jungle canopy.

On the coasts, you’ll find beaches of gold, black and even pink sands. Drawing fewer tourists than neighbouring Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre’s colourful coastal villages offer a more laid-back experience.

Îlet du Gosier is a charming escape from the mainland, a 1-km island off the southern coast of Grande-Terre. Access the islet via a 5-minute boat ride from La Datcha beach, or if you’re a confident swimmer, paddle there yourself in about 15 minutes.

The sandy islet has a lovely little beach, 1 tiny snack bar and a cheerful red lighthouse. The warm waters here are pleasant for wading and shallow enough for children. Spend a day swimming and sunbathing and don’t be surprised if you spot an iguana or 2 in the sands.

Dreamy little Îlet Caret is a low-tide phenomenon, a remote sandbar that emerges from the sea. Visitors to this tiny paradise come for the simplicity of the daily programme: swim, sunbathe, repeat.

Located in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, the islet offers spectacular views of Grande-Terre to the south. To the north, the sea goes on endlessly to meet the horizon. The surrounding waters are calm, kept this way by the bay’s coral reefs, a major draw for divers.