Set in the heart of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, Guadeloupe is washed by the Atlantic to the east and the Caribbean to the west. It is made up of two main islands: Grande-Terre, flat and calcareous (585 km2) and Basse-Terre, volcanic and hilly (943 km2), which is the site of the national park.

Administratively, the French département of Guadeloupe comprises eight islands and numerous small islets : Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre make up Guadeloupe proper, around which lie the islands of Marie-Galante, Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas), La Désirade, and, further north, Saint-Barthélemy and the French part of Saint-Martin.

Like the rest of the West Indies, Guadeloupe is the emerged part of a submarine range of mountains which arose from the clash of the Atlantic and Caribbean tectonic plates 55 million years ago.

The island has a varied relief, dominated by Soufrière with moon-like landscapes culminating at a height of 1,467 metres and still volcanically active. A striking testimony of this igneous activity are the many hot springs spread throughout the mountainous massif. Further to the north are the equally spectacular, though less accessible, Mounts of Matéliane (1,298 m) and Sans-Toucher (1,354 m).

Located in the centre of a cyclonic area, Guadeloupe has a humid tropical climate. The mean annual temperature of 26°C is constant from one season to the next. The easterly winds bring heavy rainfall which feeds the many torrents and rivers that flow in the dense hillside vegetation.

Thus the famous Carbet falls and the Ecrevisses cascade are a fine illustration of the name Karukera (Island of Beautiful Waters) given to Guadeloupe by its original inhabitants, the Amerindians.

“Continental” Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre: dominated by the imposing silhouette of La Soufrière, Basse-Terre is covered by a magnificent tropical rain forest at its center (42000 acres). It has been classified as a National Park since 1989. The Park is crisscrossed by numerous, marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. The luxuriant vegetation of the forest (there are more than 3,000 species of trees) is home to exotic fauna (but no poisonous or dangerous animals), waterfalls, cascades and natural basins.

Nature lovers will be thrilled :
in addition to the forest, Basse-Terre also offers a botanical garden, a floral park and a fabulous underwater reserve renowned the world over.

Basse-terre is also a place of great cultural diversity with cathedrals, a Hindu temple, archeological remains of the island’s first inhabitants, a military fort from the 17th century, and a museum dedicated to Ecology.

Grande-Terre: flatter than Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre offers countryside perfectly adapted to the production of sugar cane whose fields cover a major portion of the island. Visiting a distillery (sampling included) or the Rum Museum will give you a good idea of the importance of the sugar cane industry to the island.

But the principal wealth of Grande-Terre is found along its coast. Indeed,the island is surrounded by magnificent, white sand beaches, peaceful lagoons and “spots” that will delight surfers. A variety of hotels and restaurants are loçated on Grande-Terre, guaranteeing a wide range of nocturnal activities to choose from: dancing, shows, casinos…

During the day, Pointe-à-Pitre unfolds the charms of its diverse architecture and market. Filled with the scents of spices and flowers, while the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea clash in a perpetual, grandiose battle at the Pointe des Châteaux.

7 Days in Guadeloupe

Day 1:  Arriving after your flight, you get to settle in, enjoy a stunning cocktail on board your boat whilst your captain takes you through the safety procedures.  A quick light lunch in the marina before setting sail to Ilet Gosier, a short 3 mile cruise to a beautiful anchorage for your first night.

Day 2:  After a good breakfast and morning swim, up anchor and cruise the 19 miles to Marie-Galante for lunch, swimming and an afternoon of relaxing before enjoying another night dinning under the stars at anchor.

Day 3:  Exploring the island is a must.  There are Rum Distilleries and the Murat Plantation, which is one of the oldest.  Either enjoy lunch ashore sampling the local cuisine or dine onboard.  Spend another night here before heading off the next morning.

Day 4:  An early start after breakfast, head out to Portsmouth, Dominica.  This cruise is 25 miles so a good time to catch up on your reading and relax.  After customs clearance it is a good time to tour the Indian River and explore your surroundings before anchoring for the night in another exquisite anchorage.

Day 5:  An 18 mile cruise to Les Saintes will give the Scuba Divers an opportunity to explore the wonders underwater.  Another perfect opportunity to tour the island and enjoy all it has to offer.  Enjoy another perfect night at anchor.

Day 6:  A slightly longer cruise to Bas du Fort, which is 20 miles away, is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.  More beautiful anchorages to be discovered, swimming, snorkeling and unwinding.  Spend your last night under the stars enjoying the cuisine that your personal Chef prepares for you.

Day 7:  Returning to your starting point where you will disembark with memories of a life time and hopefully a plan to return.