Sailing holidays in Guadeloupe

Are you planning a sailing trip in Guadeloupe? A sailor’s paradise in the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe, often referred to as the “butterfly island” due to its unique shape, offers a captivating blend of French and Caribbean influences, making it a truly unique sailing destination. With its diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests and volcanic peaks to pristine beaches and bustling coral reefs, Guadeloupe offers a varied and unforgettable sailing experience. This article presents the best sailing destinations in Guadeloupe, highlighting its hidden gems and must-sees.

Here’s what the article will cover:

• What is the best month to sail Guadeloupe?
• Why Guadeloupe is good for sailing?
• How can you get to Guadeloupe from abroad?
• Where to sail in Guadeloupe? – ports and islands
• Sailing in Guadeloupe – itineraries

What is the best month to sail Guadeloupe?

Guadeloupe offers fantastic sailing conditions all year round. The best time to sail Guadeloupe is from December to February. Dry season (December to May): This peak season is the most predictable, with typically northeast trade winds, at speeds of 10-20 knots. The weather is generally dry and sunny, with temperatures around 26°C. Expect higher crowds and higher charter prices. Wet season (June to November): Winds are generally lighter and more variable, with a higher chance of rain and humidity, especially from July to September. Sailing conditions are still good but be prepared for occasional rain and lighter winds. Hurricane season officially runs from June to November, with the highest risk of tropical storms in August and September. Guadeloupe is located in the southern Caribbean, so hurricanes are less likely.

Why Guadeloupe is good for sailing?

Guadeloupe offers a unique blend of Caribbean charm and French flair.
Varied sailing opportunities: Guadeloupe is an archipelago with two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, which offer contrasting landscapes and sailing experiences. The archipelago is suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors. The sheltered bays and calm waters around Grande-Terre are perfect for beginners, while the open waters around Basse-Terre are more challenging.
Stunning scenery, rich culture and history: Basse-Terre has a lush, mountainous landscape with rainforests, waterfalls and the active La Soufrière volcano. Grande-Terre offers pristine, white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs that are perfect for snorkeling and diving. Discover charming towns and fishing villages with colourful houses and a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Experience a unique blend of cultures with French sophistication and Caribbean warmth, and a vibrant Creole culture through music, dance, cuisine and local traditions.
Delicious cuisine: The unique fusion of French and Caribbean cuisine, with fresh seafood, exotic spices and local ingredients, is truly unique. Als,o try the local Guadeloupe rum made from sugar cane juice.
Excellent location and infrastructure: Guadeloupe International Airport (PTP) has direct flights from Europe and North America. Well-equipped ports and marinas make sailing convenient. Guadeloupe’s location makes it an excellent base for exploring the neighboring islands of Dominica, Montserrat, or sailing in Antigua.

How can you get to Guadeloupe from abroad?

Guadeloupe, a stunning Caribbean island, is very accessible from many parts of the world. From North America, several airlines offer direct flights to Guadeloupe (PTP – Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport) from major cities such as New York (JFK), Miami (MIA) and Montreal (YUL). From Europe, direct flights are available from Paris (ORY and CDG) and other major European cities, mainly with Air France and Corsair.
If direct flights are not available to you, you can connect via major hubs such as Paris, Miami or San Juan (Puerto Rico).

Where to sail in Guadeloupe? – ports and islands

Guadeloupe is made up of 2 main parts:

Grande-Terre

Pointe-à-Pitre: The largest city and main port, with a lively atmosphere, historical sites and a bustling market.
Le Gosier: A popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches, lively restaurants and the small island of Gosier.
Sainte-Anne: Known for its stunning white sand beaches, calm waters and excellent snorkeling.
Saint-François: A charming town with a port, beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. Îlet du Gosier: A small island off the coast of Le Gosier, perfect for day trips with its beautiful beach and calm waters. La Désirade: A less visited island with wild landscapes, secluded beaches and a unique cultural heritage.

Basse-Terre

Deshaies: A picturesque fishing village with a beautiful bay, lush vegetation and a botanical garden. Pigeon Island: A small island off the coast of Malendure that offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities in the Cousteau reserve.
Les Saintes: An archipelago of small islands with stunning beaches, turquoise waters and a charming village.
Marie-Galante: A less developed island with a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches and a rich history of sugar cane production. Petite Terre: A nature reserve with pristine beaches, diverse wildlife and excellent snorkeling opportunities.

The main ports around Guadeloupe

Port of Pointe-à-Pitre/Jarry

This is Guadeloupe’s largest and most important port, handling most of the island’s cargo traffic. It is a multi-purpose port located in Baie-Mahault, close to the island’s main airport.

Port of Basse-Terre

Located on the west coast of Basse-Terre Island. It primarily handles inter-island ferries and smaller cargo ships, but also serves as a base for fishing vessels.

Port of Folle Anse (Marie-Galante)

Located on Marie-Galante Island. It mainly exports sugar and rum produced on the island.

Marina Bas-du-Fort

This is the main port for yachts and pleasure boats in Guadeloupe. It is located in the town of Gosier, near Pointe-à-Pitre. It offers a wide range of services for boaters, including fuel, water and repairs.

Nelson’s Dockyard(Antigua)

Thanks to regular maintenance and restoration, the port has retained its 18th-century appearance. Once the British naval base in Antigua, it is now part of a complex that welcomes visitors with museums, parks, restaurants and cafes. Mooring with your own boat requires a permit, but you can easily anchor in this port via an organized boat trip.

Jolly Harbour Marina (Antigua)

Although Jolly Harboit Marina is not the largest port on the island, it is still the most serviced and best equipped place to anchor. Whether it is a service, storage facilities, bicycle rental or even a hairdresser, the ports here do not lack for anything. It has 155 berths, each with its own water and electricity supply.

Little Bay (Montserrat)

This is the current main port on the island, where cruise ships transport passengers to shore. There are several smaller marinas and yacht harbors around Guadeloupe where you can safely dock. yacht charter Guadeloupe, crewed yacht charter Guadeloupe, sailing charter Guadeloupe, bareboat charter Guadeloupe, catamaran charter Guadeloupe

Sailing in Guadeloupe – itineraries

A One-Week Sailing Itinerary around Guadeloupe

Day 1: Pointe-à-Pitre – Le Gosier

7 km (5 nm), sailing time: 1 hour
Depart from Marina Bas-du-Fort near Pointe-à-Pitre and head to Îlet du Gosier, a small islet off the coast. Have dinner at a beachside restaurant and enjoy the relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.

Day 2: Le Gosier – Saint-François

24 km (15 nm), sailing time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Head north along the coast to Saint-François. Hike to Pointe des Châteaux, the easternmost point of Grande-Terre, for stunning coastal scenery, stunning rock formations and panoramic views. Learn about the rum-making process at the family-run Gwadinina Rum Distillery.

Day 3: Saint-François – Anse-Bertrand

63 km (39 nm), sailing time: 6-8 hours
Take a longer trip north to Anse-Bertrand, a less touristy area with wild landscapes and impressive cliffs. Hike to Pointe de la Grande Vigie, explore the Porte d’Enfer (Hell’s Gate) rock formation, relax at Plage de la Chapelle.

Day 4: Anse-Bertrand – Deshaies (Basse-Terre)

32 km (20 nm), sailing time: 3-3.5 hours
Sail across the channel to Basse-Terre and south to Deshaies, a charming fishing village. Visit the Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, dive, snorkel, explore the nearby waterfalls.

Day 5: Deshaies – Bouillante

20 km (13 nm), sailing time: 3-4 hours
Continue south along the coast to Bouillante, known for its hot springs and diving spots.

Day 6: Bouillante – Rivière-Sens (Basse-Terre)

19 km (12 nm), sailing time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Sail south to Rivière-Sens, a small town with black sand beaches. Hike to the Cascade aux Écrevisses waterfall, explore the rainforest, visit the Domaine de Vanibel plantation.

Day 7: Rivière-Sens – Pointe-à-Pitre

48 km (30 nm), sailing time: 4-6 hours
Enjoy your last morning in Rivière-Sens before sailing back to Pointe-à-Pitre and completing your Guadeloupe cruise.

South of Guadeloupe sailing itinerary

Day 1. Pointe-à-Pitre – Les Saintes 42,23 km (26,24 nm), Day 2. Les Saintes – Marie-Galante 31,67 km (19,68 nm), Day 3. Marie-Galante – St. Francois 33,72 km (20,95 nm), Day 4. St. Francois – Petite-Terre 19,29 km (11,98 nm), Day 5. Petite-Terre – Anse-de-Mai, Dominica 70,64 km (43,90 nm), Day 6. Anse-de-Mai, Dominica – Portsmouth, Dominica 19,06 km (11,84 nm), Day 7. Portsmouth, Dominica – Ilet a Gosier – Pointe-à-Pitre 75,83 km (47,12 nm)

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