What to Do in Guadeloupe?

White sandy beaches, palm trees, crystal-clear waters... Guadeloupe is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations to explore when you want to discover the French Caribbean. This archipelago offers diverse landscapes ranging from the volcanic heights of Soufrière to the peaceful atmosphere of Marie-Galante, along with coastlines brimming with activities. If you're looking for adventure, this guide outlines the best things to do during your stay in Guadeloupe and the must-visit places!

Located on the island of Grande-Terre, the city of Pointe-à-Pitre is a must-visit, and although it is not the official capital of Guadeloupe, it remains its economic center. During your stay, I recommend exploring the city starting from the Darse Market and the Saint-Antoine Market! Also, discover the city's historical heritage by visiting the Mémorial ACTe museum dedicated to the history of slavery.

The Victory Square is also one of the most animated and popular spots in Pointe-à-Pitre! It's surrounded by cafes and colonial houses.

Are you heading to Guadeloupe soon but haven't booked your activities yet? Between hiking, biking, boat excursions, water activities, culinary tours, or simply lounging on paradise beaches, you'll have plenty to fill your days! Make sure to check the range of available activities on-site and book in advance for a stress-free departure

Click here to see all the activities to do in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is a beachfront paradise for those who want to enjoy the beaches exclusively! You'll be charmed by numerous spots renowned for their exceptional beauty, with Guadeloupe boasting no less than 400 km of beaches!

Caravelle Beach in Sainte-Anne features an expanse of white sand dotted with palm trees, making it the most famous, while Malendure Beach is a wild paradise ideal for snorkeling in the Cousteau Reserve. There are also other locations such as Raisins Clairs Beach for its translucent lagoon and Grande-Anse Beach in Deshaies, voted the most beautiful in the Caribbean!

Located in Trois-Rivières, this park is sure to interest history enthusiasts as it offers a glimpse into the pre-Columbian era of Guadeloupe! You can discover nearly 230 ancient rock engravings belonging to the Arawak Native American culture, depicting faces and animals

This park, classified as a historical monument since 1974, is also the perfect opportunity to explore lush flora and various tree species: cacao, vetiver, calabash, castor, cassava... along with stunning viewpoints of the Saintes archipelago. Plan for about a 45-minute visit with a guide, and entry is free.

The botanical garden of Deshaies is a peaceful haven that houses an incredible variety of tropical plants, ranging from hibiscus and orchids to bougainvillea. This natural richness is further enhanced by waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful fish, as well as many other animals encountered along the way, such as pink flamingos and lorikeets Additionally, the park is situated on the heights of Deshaies at 500 meters above sea level with a spectacular view of the Caribbean and a panoramic restaurant on-site

Expect to pay €17.50 for an adult entry ticket and €12 for a child aged 5 to 12. Access is free for children under 5. Taking your time, plan for about 1.5 hours for your visit For more information and to prepare your visit, feel free to check out the official botanical garden website!

If you're unsure what activities to do during your stay, then it's worth noting that Guadeloupe is a land of exceptional rum! Therefore, I suggest adding a distillery visit to discover the secrets of rum production, the different methods, and the entire process from cane harvesting to distillation.

Among the best distilleries in Guadeloupe, I recommend visiting the Damoiseau distillery located in Moule, and the Longueteau distillery, which is the oldest in the world!

The Saintes archipelago represents a great getaway to the south of Guadeloupe! These paradise islands located west of Marie-Galante and north of Dominica are teeming with idyllic beaches such as Sugar Loaf Beach and a stunning bay lined with palm trees One can also visit remarkable sites like Fort Napoleon on Terre-de-Haut Island or engage in water activities such as snorkeling!

Accessible by boat, I recommend booking this day trip aboard a sailing boat! For €150 per person, you will be picked up at the Marina Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre! This excursion includes boat transport, snorkeling, an appetizer, and a Creole meal, along with a sailing initiation course. This cruise is designed for a small group of 9 people, which is a big plus!

Click here to book your Saintes excursion with snorkeling and meal

Dubbed the island of a hundred mills, Marie-Galante is an authentic paradise perfect for those seeking tranquility. It is the third largest island in the French Caribbean, located about 30 kilometers southeast of Guadeloupe...

Deserted beaches, remnants of windmills, old sugar houses, Marie-Galante offers a peaceful atmosphere. It is also a great spot to visit rum distilleries as both the Bielle distillery and the Habitation Bellevue distillery are located here!

To reach Marie-Galante, note that several ferry services operate regular crossings from Guadeloupe. For example, the Express maritime company offers crossings from Pointe-à-Pitre to Grand Bourg from Monday to Sunday. So, be sure to book your tickets online in advance to be fully prepared!

Hiking on the Soufrière volcano is an unmissable experience if you love long treks and exploration! This active volcano rises to 1,467 meters and offers breathtaking panoramas of Guadeloupe and even the Saintes archipelago if the skies are clear.

Taking the Lady's Path, expect about 1 hour and 15 minutes of walk time compared to 1 hour and 30 minutes via the Col de l'Echelle. Ideally, join a 5-hour guided hike, taking your time with an expert to soak in the beauty of the island!

More info on the guided hike by clicking here

Stretching 17 kilometers, the Route de la Traversée winds through the national park and offers a total immersion in the rainforest... Along the way, there are stops to admire waterfalls, rivers, and beautiful viewpoints.

For example, you can stop at Mamelles Park to meet iguanas and raccoons. Other remarkable sites include the Ecrevisses Waterfall, the Corossol River, the Forest House, the Bras David site, and Petit Bras David site

What to do in Guadeloupe? Well, try paddle boarding in the mangroves of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marine, kayaking in the beautiful Cousteau Reserve, or sailing to explore the lagoons

Even better, I recommend scuba diving in the Cousteau Reserve which is famous for its rich marine biodiversity

Click here to book your scuba diving session

For those who prefer thrilling activities, you can try canyoning at Bassin Bleu, with a 40-minute hike and lots of exciting activities!

Visiting a cemetery is not necessarily the first thing one thinks of on vacation! However, I think you should discover the Morne-à-l'Eau cemetery, which stands out for its graves adorned with black and white mosaics, colors symbolizing mourning, and the oldest tomb dates back to 1847! The cemetery is located about fifteen kilometers from Pointe-à-Pitre and is a must-see during All Saints' Day!

Flying is undoubtedly the fastest and most comfortable option to get to Guadeloupe. If you're traveling from New York City or Los Angeles, there are numerous flights operated by airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines to the Pôle Caraïbes Airport in Pointe-à-Pitre. Expect about 8 hours of flight time and a budget of at least $500 for a round-trip ticket, possibly more depending on the time of year! To find the best rates, I invite you to check flight comparison sites like Ulysse ✈️

To see flight prices to Guadeloupe, click here

That's all for this article, now you know what to do in Guadeloupe! If you're looking for a place to stay in Guadeloupe, continue reading my excellent guide in which I share my favorite addresses for a stay on the island