Sea trips

…Sailboats, often 10 to 15 meters long, allow for quiet and more environmentally friendly navigation.

The average cruising speed varies between 6 and 8 knots for a sailboat, and can exceed 20 knots on a speedboat.

Discovering the islands of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin

The Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin area, north of Basse-Terre, is a vast marine protected area covering approximately 15,000 hectares. It features small coral islets, dense mangroves, seagrass beds, and a coral reef. Boat trips to these islets often include a visit to Caret Islet, a sandbank measuring a few dozen meters, and Fajou Islet, a nature reserve that is home to seabirds and endemic species. Once there, the shallow waters of around 1 to 3 meters make it easy to observe colorful tropical fish, sea cucumbers, diadem sea urchins, and gorgonian corals. The trips usually last half a day and sometimes include a Creole meal served on board, made with local products. Access is subject to strict rules, so the excursions allow you to discover a preserved environment while respecting the ecosystems.

Cruise to the Petite-Terre Islands

The Petite-Terre islands, classified as a Nature Reserve since 1998, are located between La Désirade and Marie-Galante. The excursion often departs from Saint-François, on Grande-Terre, and lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour by boat, depending on sea conditions. The Petite-Terre archipelago comprises two islets, Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut, separated by a lagoon. It is home to Caribbean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima), sea turtles, and butterflyfish. Boats anchor in shallow waters, offering the opportunity to snorkel above sandy bottoms and around corals. The marine flora, dominated by seagrass beds, and the shallow depth (generally 2 to 4 meters) provide excellent visibility. Excursions often include a barbecue meal on the beach, and the return trip takes place in the afternoon, taking advantage of the trade winds that generally blow between 15 and 25 km/h.

The Cousteau Reserve and the underwater viewing boat

The Cousteau Reserve, located around the Pigeon Islets, opposite Bouillante, is a protected area covering approximately 400 hectares. The waters are clear, and the underwater topography offers depths ranging from 0 to over 40 meters. Underwater viewing boat trips are popular here: part of the boat is equipped with large portholes, allowing passengers to observe colonies of staghorn coral, schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish, and green turtles without getting wet.

Other iconic species include the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) and the Caribbean spiny lobster. Excursions often last 1.5 to 2 hours, with frequent departures in the morning. They are particularly suitable for families and visitors who do not dive, offering a rich insight into underwater biodiversity. Guides provide information on ecosystems, underwater geology, and conservation initiatives.

Sailing trip to Les Saintes

The Saintes archipelago, consisting of 9 islets including Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas, is renowned for one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Baie des Saintes, recognized by UNESCO. Sailing trips from Trois-Rivières or Pointe-à-Pitre take between 1.5 and 2 hours to reach the archipelago, depending on wind conditions. The journey often offers encounters with spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) swimming in small groups.

Once there, visitors are free to organize their own activities: snorkeling, discovering coastal wildlife, sampling tourments d'amour (local pastries), or watching frigatebirds and pelicans. The return sail, pushed by the trade winds, often allows you to navigate through channels with depths ranging from 50 to 200 meters. Les Saintes is less crowded than more touristy areas, guaranteeing a more peaceful experience.

Marie-Galante en speed-boat

Reaching Marie-Galante, nicknamed "the big pancake" because of its rounded shape, is quick from Saint-François, thanks to powerful speedboats. The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on sea conditions. Once there, the waters around Marie-Galante are clear and shallow in the lagoons near the beaches of Folle Anse and La Feuillère, with sandy bottoms between 1 and 3 meters deep.

Excursions often combine swimming, snorkeling, and visits to rum distilleries (Marie-Galante is renowned for producing around 3 million liters of rum per year). Fast navigation allows you to make the most of your time on site. Speedboats, thanks to their shallow draft, can easily dock near beaches, providing direct access to swimming areas without disturbing the seabed thanks to regulated anchoring.

Catamaran trip to discover cetaceans

Guadeloupe is a migration route for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between January and April, their breeding and calving season. Catamaran trips in search of cetaceans, led by guides trained in responsible observation, sometimes also allow visitors to spot pilot whales and sperm whales offshore, in areas where the depth quickly reaches 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Dolphins, on the other hand, are more frequently encountered throughout the year. Regulations impose a minimum approach distance of 100 meters for whales, so as not to disturb them. Listening to whale songs through hydrophones is sometimes offered, providing a unique auditory experience. These excursions often last 3 to 4 hours, with a limited number of passengers to minimize environmental impact and ensure comfort.

Environmental characteristics and regulations

Guadeloupe is home to dozens of marine protected areas, governed by the National Park, nature reserves (Petite-Terre, Fajou, Cousteau) and prefectural decrees aimed at preserving biodiversity. Anchoring is often regulated, limiting damage to seagrass beds and coral reefs. Ecological mooring buoys are installed at certain sites to protect sensitive seabeds.

Marine tourism operators must comply with strict specifications, including limiting the number of visitors, managing waste on board, and prohibiting the feeding of marine wildlife. Frequent inspections ensure that environmental quality is maintained. Sea excursions raise visitors' awareness of the fragility of ecosystems, the threats posed by global warming, and local efforts to restore coral reefs and mangroves.

Observation conditions and practical advice

Underwater visibility varies depending on weather conditions, rainfall, and season. During the dry season, visibility often exceeds 20 meters around the reefs, while during the wet season, sediment carried by rivers sometimes reduces clarity. For snorkeling, a simple mask and snorkel are sufficient, and the water temperature between 26°C and 29°C often means that a wetsuit is not necessary, although UV-protective lycra suits are recommended. Sailors benefit from constant trade winds, generally blowing from east to west at speeds of 15 to 20 knots, providing welcome coolness. Life jackets are mandatory on all boats, and safety instructions are given before each departure. Children aged 4 or 5 and above are generally allowed, depending on the operator's policy, and reduced rates often apply to children under 12.