The Best Outdoor Spots in Guadeloupe this Winter
Guadeloupe is an island in the Caribbean with a tropical climate. In winter, temperatures are around 30°C, which makes it an excellent alternative if you want to escape the cold and dreariness that can be found in Europe at this time. The paradisiacal scenery will convince you. And if you are also fond of thrills and outdoor activities, then there is no hesitation. In this article you will find our selection of the best outdoor spots in Guadeloupe.
A popular destination for adrenaline-seeking sportsmen and travellers looking for unique adventures, Guadeloupe offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Almost all board sports are represented here (except snowboarding, of course, for which you have to be prepared for the cold), and lovers of underwater excursions will find plenty to do.
But first a little geography. Guadeloupe is a territory of the French West Indies located in the southern Caribbean Sea. It is an archipelago made up of islands, the two largest of which, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, are separated by the Salt River. The islands of Marie-Galante, Grand Anse and La Désirade are also places not to be missed if you visit Guadeloupe.
Let's go for a selection of 8 outdoor spots in Guadeloupe and the activities to do there. Good inspiration!
1. St. Francis by parachute
With this first activity you are sure to have a great time! We are talking about skydiving here. Although this is always a unique experience, no matter where you jump, you have to admit that jumping over the lagoons and heavenly beaches of Guadeloupe is particularly extraordinary.
A 35-second freefall that allows you to reach a speed of 200km/h, completely controlled by your instructor. All you have to do is enjoy the sensations and let yourself be carried away before landing softly. For this tandem jump, you fly over the Pointe des Châteaux, on the eastern side of Grande-Terre, and the nearby islands. If the weather permits, the flight can even take place at sunset... it's hard to beat that!
Skydiving is just one of the many outdoor activities around St. Francis.
2. Port Louis by scuba diving
Located in the northwest of Grande Terre, Port Louis is a leading destination for underwater excursions. During open water dives you will discover countless underwater wonders. The local fauna and flora will leave you with unforgettable memories and it is an opportunity to meet species in their natural environment. Depending on your level and your objectives, you have the possibility to do your first dive or to follow FFESSM or SSI diving courses.
But diving is not the only activity that Port Louis offers. This pretty fishing village has beautiful white sandy beaches and translucent water, the most famous of which is the Plage du Souffleur. The ideal place for a snorkeling trip, an introduction to jet skiing or a session on a Flyboard or Hoverboard. The beach of Pointe d'Antigue is also well known and particularly appreciated by surfers because of the big waves. In Port-Louis there is something for everyone!
3. The Bois Jolan kitesurfing spot
Between Sainte-Anne and Saint-François, the spot of Bois Jolan in Grande-Terre is perfect for kitesurfing in complete safety and in a dream setting with a turquoise sea warmed by the sun, a white sandy beach, surrounded by coconut trees. Thanks to the shallow water, Bois Jolan is ideal for kitesurfing whatever your level. The more experienced among you will find nice waves to test their jumps. The regular trade winds, typical of the Caribbean, create optimal conditions for adrenaline seekers who wish to glide along the surface of the water with their kite.
Sainte-Anne, a tourist town a few kilometres from Bois Jolan, unfortunately lost its charm when it was ravaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. However, it has postcard-perfect beaches which make Sainte-Anne an attractive spot for a wide range of outdoor activities.
4. Le Gosier by jet ski
We remain on the eastern part of Guadeloupe, south of the Grand-Terre. Le Grosier is part of the urban unit of Pointe-à-Pitre-Les Abymes. Try a thrilling experience with a jet ski session. One of the most beautiful spots in Guadeloupe, the crystal clear waters around the butterfly island are ideal for a relaxing jet ski trip. This will be the opportunity to have fun in freestyle or to improve your handling of this sea vehicle in the company of an experienced and smiling instructor.
In addition to jet ski tours to the Grosier, you can also go on beautiful snorkelling trips.
5. Morne-à-l'Eau by stand up paddle
Leave the safety of the shore and explore Guadeloupe's iconic mangrove forests on an unforgettable stand up paddle trip to Morne-à-l'Eau in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin nature reserve.
SUP is an ecological and peaceful way to connect with the island's biodiversity. You will discover all the facets of stand up paddling in flat water, in the most beautiful lagoons of Guadeloupe and around the islets with their lush vegetation. The big advantage is that the weather is good almost all year round, so you can almost certainly practice this activity every day!
6. Cousteau Reserve in scuba diving
Come and discover the underwater ecosystem of the Malendure Cousteau Reserve by diving. This reserve of the famous commander in the red hat is one of the most beautiful diving spots in the Caribbean. This living underwater museum also includes the Pigeon Islands with no less than 1000 hectares to visit!
Whether it's for a first dive or a more advanced diving course, you'll easily find something to suit your level. And if you want to do more than just scuba diving, you can explore the underwater world on a snorkeling trip or on a freediving course.
7. Kitesurfing in Les Saintes
Les Saintes is a chain of islands south of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, the largest of which are Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut, then Grand-Îlet and Îlet à Cabrit. In Terre-de-Bas there is a magnificent large golden sandy beach which stretches for over a kilometre. Swimming is forbidden, but this does not prevent kitesurfing. On the contrary, the beach with its shallow water is ideal for this activity! Supervised by qualified instructors, enjoy kitesurfing lessons tailored to your level and your goals.
Other than kitesurfing, there are many other outdoor activities available in Les Saintes: water skiing, jet skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing or canoeing in search of dolphins and whales. And if you want to stay on land, rock climbing is also very popular as well as trekking in a breathtaking panorama.
8. La Désirade underwater excursion
And here is the last of our 8 best outdoor spots in Gudadeloupe. La Désirade is an island located in the east of Guadeloupe and is 11 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide. Accessible via a shuttle from St. François, this island is a must for all experienced divers because of its particularly rich and still very little visited environment.
The particularity of Désirade and its underwater excursions is that you can dive in two completely different environments: the south coast and the north coast of the island. Discover the corals, turtles, sharks, rays and barracudas that inhabit the seabed.
As you can see, in Guadeloupe there are many places to visit - one as paradisiacal as the other - and activities to do - one as unforgettable as the other. Our selection of the 8 best outdoor spots in Guadeloupe above is here to help you get an idea of what you can do there and to make it easier for you to choose between all our outdoor activities in Guadeloupe.
And if we've made you want to discover more about the overseas territories, then our articles on the 12 outdoor activities to do in Reunion Island and the best outdoor activities to do in Martinique will make you dream!