7 Best Tourist Attractions In Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe's evocative blend of lush natural beauty and rich Creole and French culture make it a magical place to visit. The archipelago is an overseas region of France, and Guadeloupe's food, language, and culture reflect this strong tie.

If you look at a Guadeloupe map, the main landmass resembles a butterfly in shape, with two main islands: Grande-Terre in the east and Basse-Terre in the west, separated by a narrow mangrove channel called the Rivière Salée.

Palm-fringed beaches rim the coastline, and the interior is lush and mountainous, with waterfalls, hot springs, and an active volcano. Most Guadeloupe hotels and resorts and many of the islands' tourist attractions dot the golden shores of these main islands, and Guadeloupe's largest city and cruise port, Pointe-a-Pitre, lies on the southern shore of Grande-Terre.

Guadeloupe also encompasses the smaller islands of La Desirade, Les Saintes (also called Îles des Saintes), and Marie-Galante, which also offer beautiful beaches and quaint villages. All Guadeloupe's islands boast excellent opportunities for birding; photography; hiking; and water sports such as snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Guadeloupe also hosts many colorful carnivals and festivals, including the five-day Mardi-Gras Carnival ending on Ash Wednesday.

# Guadeloupe National Park, Basse-Terre

Nature lovers of all kinds will find something to love at Guadeloupe National Park (Parc National de la Guadeloupe). Designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the park often draws more than a million visitors a year.

Among its many attractions are 300 kilometers of hiking trails; La Soufrière volcano at 1,467 meters; Col de la Matéliane at 1,298 meters; and a wide range of plants and animals, including 100 species of orchids and 11 species of bats.

Bird-watchers will enjoy the diversity here, with resident species such as the black woodpecker, pearly-eyed thrasher, and Lesser Antillean pewee.

# La Soufrière Hike, Basse-Terre

The highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, La Grande Soufrière is an active volcano, which hikers can ascend on the Chemin des Dames trail. This approximately two-hour strenuous climb offers panoramic views from the highest points of the massif - as long as the weather is clear.

Along the way, you'll see a diversity of otherworldly landscapes. Hot springs, mud pools, and fumaroles punctuate the volcano's barren, black sides, and the triple waterfall of Chutes du Carbet flows down the eastern face of La Soufrière massif from a height of 115 meters. You can view the falls from lookouts.

Hikers who follow the trail to Etang As de Pique will find one of the largest of the mountainside lakes formed in craters on the volcanic massif, surrounded by lush hillsides.

# La Pointe des Châteaux, Grande-Terre

La Pointe des Châteaux is a photographer's dream. This scenic isthmus lies at the easternmost point of Grande Terre, with castle-like rock formations jutting out of the sea. The windy, wave-battered point exudes a rugged beauty reminiscent of Brittany.

A botanical path leads from the village to a vantage point among great black rocks. Here, you have a clear view to the islands of La Désirade, Petite-Terre, and Marie-Galante.

# Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Natural Reserve Boat Tour

Cradled between the northern shores of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Natural Reserve (Réserve Naturelle du Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin) is a great place to soak up the wild side of Guadeloupe on a boat tour.

This 15,000-hectare reserve is a mosaic of mangrove forests, mudflats, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, turquoise lagoons, and tiny islets. It also encompasses transitional zones where sustainable human activity is permitted. Together with Guadeloupe National Park on Basse-Terre, it forms the UNESCO-listed Guadeloupe Archipelago Biosphere Reserve.

# Plage de Grande Anse, Basse Terre

On the northeast coast of Basse-Terre, near Deshaies, Plage de Grande Anse is a picturesque slice of palm-lined sand and clear waters. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Guadeloupe. Flanked by lush headlands, the beach stretches for more than a kilometer, with soft golden sand and plenty of shady trees.

Plage de Grande Anse is a wonderful beach for a stroll, and the waters are usually great for swimming, although the surf can be a little rough on windy days. It's not the best place for young children to swim, as the sea floor drops off suddenly beyond the shoreline.

# Jacques Cousteau's Underwater Reserve

Off the coast of Basse-Terre near Bouillante, the waters surrounding Pigeon Island comprise the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve (Réserve Cousteau). Dive operators cater to all skill levels, and you can snorkel along the shallow-water reefs or view the coral and marine life from a glass-bottom boat.

The health of the reef here has declined in recent years, but you can still see fairly large schools of fish, as well as some colorful coral. Turtles, parrotfish, trumpetfish, and barracuda swim among the coral gardens here, and the area offers good wall and wreck dives. You can also kayak over to the reserve from the mainland.

# Sainte-Anne Beach, Grande-Terre

Palm-fringed Sainte Anne is one of the most popular beaches in Guadeloupe. The seaside promenade skirting the shore is a lovely spot for a stroll, and the beach is busy but beautiful, with white sand and shallow water in dreamy shades of blue.

Basking on this beach is one of the top things to do in Grande-Terre. It's also a great spot for a swim, with typically calm waters. Near the beach is a selection of restaurants and market stalls selling local crafts.