Explore Guadeloupe: 13 Exciting Things to Do and See 

Guadeloupe is one of the Lesser Lace Islands, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. The island belongs to France and is estimated to have an area of about 600 square miles. The capital of Guadeloupe is Bay Terry.

The famous traveller Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Guadeloupe on his second voyage to America in 1493. It was named after the Spanish royal monastery. Guadeloupe is an archipelago with seven islands, including Bas-Terre, Grand-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desderai, Iles des Saints, and Iles de la Petite Terre.

Guadeloupe was named Butterfly Island because the shape of its two main islands resembles a butterfly’s wings. The euro is the official currency on the island, and the official language is French.

The island is considered one of the most famous vacation destinations in the world due to the beauty of its sandy beaches. It consists of 5 islands named Karukira, which means the place of beautiful waters. UNESCO considers it one of the 25 biological reserves in the world.

One of the island’s most important industries is fishing, which depends on cultivating crops such as bananas, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee, etc. The economy also depends on industries such as food products, including sugar, and clothes and wooden furniture manufacturing.

Weather in Guadeloupe

The climate on the island of Guadeloupe is tropical, humid, and rainy. There are two seasons. The first is hot and humid and extends from June to December, with an average minimum temperature of 22 and a maximum of 30.

The second season extends from January to May, and the average minimum temperature is 20. The maximum is 29, but the humidity is less than in the first season. The best time to visit the island is between May and December.

Things to do on the island of Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is one of the famous islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is a popular holiday destination for all lovers of sunshine, beaches, and nature. It is also the least crowded and expensive because it is not known among people even during the peak tourist season.

Also, in Guadeloupe, you can do many activities such as hiking, photography, and water sports like swimming, diving, and snorkelling. You will undoubtedly love visiting this island and having a great time there. Now, we will get to know the famous attractions in Guadeloupe and the things to do there, so get ready for our new journey in a new country. Enjoy!

La Grande Soufriere

La Grande Soufriere is a unique place with an active volcano. It is France’s seventh-largest national park and one of the most accessible highlands. This active volcano has erupted eight times since 1660, the last eruption being in 1977. It is the highest park in the Lesser Antilles.

The volcano is located on Bas Terre island and is surrounded by hot springs. Visitors can climb through the Chemin des Dams and take two hours to reach the highest point, which offers an enchanting panoramic view of one of the largest mountain lakes formed in volcanic craters and the Chotes de Carpet waterfall, which falls from a height of 115 meters.

Memorial ACTe in Grand-Terre

The Memorial ACTe is one of the top attractions you will love visiting in Guadeloupe. It is the perfect place for history lovers to know more about Guadeloupe’s history and slavery and colonialism worldwide.

The building’s design is an excellent ravel of crisscrossed metal on a black granite base. It sits on the waterfront in Pointe-a-Pitre. If you visit the museum at night, you will see that the building is lit, and the colour of the light is reflected in the water.

When you enter the museum, you will learn everything about the history of slavery from the beginning until the post-abolitionist era. Some exhibitions show the perspective of the Caribbean artist about slavery through paintings, films, and more.

Guadeloupe National Park in Basse-Terre

Guadeloupe National Park is a lovely place for nature lovers. UNESCO declared it a World Biosphere Reserve full of many great attractions. These attractions are located on 300 km of hiking trails, like La Soufriere Volcano at 1,467 meters, Col de la Madelaine at 1,298 meters, and many plants and animals.

While there, you can tour the park and see beautiful places through the Route de la Traversee, where you will see tropical forests and picnic areas. There is a small waterfall spilling into a pond, and you can stop for a swim in that place.

Grand Anse Beach in Basse-Terre

Grand Anse Beach is one of Guadeloupe’s most famous and beautiful beaches. It is on the northeast coast of Basse-Terre and is well-known for its golden sands, clear water, and shady trees. The beach extends for 1 km.

It is an excellent place for swimming, but sometimes it can be rough on windy days. You can also rent a kayak to paddle around the mangrove lagoon behind the beach. Also, there are restaurants and cafes where you can taste a meal and relax.

Guadeloupe Zoo in Basse-Terre

Guadeloupe Zoo is located just beside the Guadeloupe National Park, on the banks of the Herb River and a famous hilltop garden and reserve. The zoo contains 85 species of animals, including rare and endangered species.

The zoo has many animals, such as monkeys, tortoises, raccoons, snakes, etc. The hiking trails and hanging bridges are lovely, and plants, trees, and lush palms surround you.

Terre-de-Haut Island in Les Saintes

Terre-de-Haut Island is located in the eastern part of Les Saintes. It has a European character that you would love. You will like the coloured houses and painted fishing boats, and you will have the opportunity to take many nice pictures. You can take a ferry for precisely 30 minutes from Point-a-Pitre or Trois-Riviere. After you arrive at the island, you can rent a golf car or a scooter to explore the place.

After you arrive, you can visit the main village on the island and see the volcanic hill that overlooks a curved blue bay. As we said, the houses are European, with red roofs, white walls, and colourful gardens with beautiful flowers. 

You can visit one of the island’s attractions, the 17th-century Fort Napoleon, located on a hill overlooking the bay. You can also go to the highest place on the island, Morne du Chameau, and have a great view.

Marie-Galant Island

Marie-Galant Island is known as the Big Pancake Island because it is round and flat. It is famous for its many wonderful beaches and sugar farming, which can be seen in the ruins of windmills scattered on the island.

While touring the island, you will find Chateau Murat, built in 1839 and the most extensive sugar plantation in Guadeloupe. There is also a restored colonial mansion, ruins of a sugar factory, a windmill tower, and a medicinal garden.

La Pointe des Chateaux in Grand-Terre

La Pointe des Chateaux is a fantastic place to take some great pictures. This attraction is located in the eastern part of Grand-Terre, and there, you will see a castle consisting of rock formations out of the sea. A path takes you from the village to a place where there are back rocks, and you can see the islands of La Desirade, Marie-Galante, and Petite-Terre.

Botanical Garden of Deshaies in Basse-Terre

The Botanical Garden of Deshaies is a beautiful place to spend the day with your family. It is located northwest of Basse-Terre and includes many wonderful flowers and colourful birds.

There are paths through the botanical garden, where you can tour cascades and lily ponds. Also, children can feed the fish, and you can have a wonderful meal at the restaurant on a hilltop where you can see a magnificent view of the garden and the sea.

Terre-de-Bas Island in Les Saintes

Terre-de-Bas island is much bigger than Terre-de-Bas and is on the western side of Les Saintes. It contains small villages, beaches, and hiking trails and is considered one of the most natural islands in Guadeloupe.

On the island, you can visit Grande Anse, which includes a 17th-century church and a beach suitable for swimming and snorkelling. Also, you can go to Gros-Cap, the main village in Terre-de-Bas and includes restaurants, hiking trails, places to stay, and a ferry landing.

Jacques Cousteau’s Underwater Reserve

Jacques Cousteau’s Underwater Reserve is located on the coast of Basse-Terre near Bouillante, where you will find the waters surrounding Pigeon Island. It is one of the best places for diving and snorkelling, where you can discover all the marine life and coral reefs. You can try the glass boat if you cannot swim or dive.

Also, you can see colourful coral and many turtles, parrotfish, and barracuda that swim through the coral gardens. You can try kayaking to the reserve from the island of Basse-Terre.

Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Natural Reserve Boat Tour

The place is located between the north shore of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, and it is an excellent place to see the wild part of Guadeloupe. The reserve is on a 15,000-hectare of coral reefs, tiny islets, mangrove forests, and turquoise lagoons.

UNESCO lists the Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marine Natural Reserve as a Guadeloupe Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and Guadeloupe National Park on Basse-Terre. The reserve has many birds, including frigate birds, herons, pelicans, and more. A reserve tour will let you discover the Moustique River and snorkel to see the coral reefs, sea turtles, giant sponges, and many other kinds of fish.

Plage du Souffleur in Grande-Terre

It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Grande-Terre. It is located on the coast of Port-Louis, a small fishing village on the northwest coast. Its white sands and clear, crystal water make it a great place to relax.