What to see in Guadeloupe, where it is located and useful information on the archipelago, which are the most beautiful beaches of the two main islands that make it up, Grande Terre and Basse Terre.
Tourist information
Guadeloupe is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago and represents its largest island, made up of two islands separated by a narrow channel.
Together with other small islands, it is an overseas department of France.
The passage of Guadeloupe to the north marks the border with Montserrat, a territory belonging to the United Kingdom, the Caribbean Sea bathes the west coast of the island.
To the south is the island of Dominica while to the east is the Atlantic Ocean.
The department includes the territories of the Guadeloupe, Marie-Galante, Des Saintes and Désirade islands.
Guadeloupe's climate is tropical, with average annual temperatures around 25 degrees, thanks to the constant winds that cool the air.
Vegetation and fauna are very varied.
Tourism is the main source of wealth on the island, most of the visitors come from the United States, Canada and France, to a lesser extent from Western Europe.
What see
The western island Basse-Terre is the most mountainous and wild, having the shape of an elongated oval, where the tropical forest and banana plantations dominate.
The eastern island of Grande Terre is instead flat, with extensive sugar cane crops that over time have replaced the savannah.
Recommended readings- Haiti (Caribbean): what to see
- Virgin Islands (American): what to see
- Grenada (Caribbean): what to see on the spice island
- Cuba: useful information
- Caribbean: what they are, holidays
Along its southern coast there is a succession of sandy beaches up to Pont des Châteaux, a rocky promontory.
Most beautiful beaches
Raisins Clairs Beach is a beach located on the south-east coast of Grande Terre, which can be reached by taking the national road towards the town of Sainte François.
It looks like an extended curve of very clear sand, surrounded by palm trees and other species of tropical trees, the color of the sea is turquoise, with optimal water transparency, ideal for swimming.
Plage de Bois Jolan is located on the southern slope of Grande Terre, included in Anse du Belley in the municipality of Sainte Anne.
With clear sand, the beach includes on the sides a large number of coconut trees and tropical plants of various types, the seabed is shallow, crystal clear turquoise water.
Gosier beach, on the southern slope of Grande Terre near Point-à-Pitre, is a beach of white sand, with palm trees on the sides and numerous hotels on the seafront.
Equipped with excellent services and equipment, it is well sheltered from the wind, the sea lends itself to swimming thanks to the remarkable clarity of the waters that make this experience even more pleasant.
Petit Havre is located on the southern slope of Grande Terre, between Gosier and Sainte Anne.
It looks like a set of romantic coves inserted in an evocative landscape, small in size and covered with white sand, where you can take advantage of the shade of lush trees and the great quality of the sea water, which is particularly crystalline.
Caravelle Beach is located on the southern slope of Grande Terre, near the town of Sainte Anne.
Very popular beach, especially on weekends, it has a very long coastline, covered with very light soft sand and surrounded by giant palm trees, in the paradisiacal scenario of a beautiful sea with iridescent shades.
Grande Anse is located in the northwestern end of Basse Terre, just 2 kilometers from the pretty village of Deshaies.
Included in a large bay, it stands out for the golden color of the sand, the dense vegetation that surrounds it and the crystal clear sea.
Malendure is located along the western coast of Basse Terre, 3 kilometers away from Les Mamelles.
With dark colored sand, the beach includes palm trees on the sides and a verdant hill in the background, located opposite the small island of Pigeon.
Boat excursions are organized from here, it is also possible to practice water sports in the clear blue sea.
Plage Anse in La Barque is located on the coast west of Basse Terre, in the stretch between the municipalities of Vieux-Habitants and Bouillante.
To appreciate the splendid inlet sheltered from the wind, useful as a safe haven for boats caught in the sea by bad weather.
In this bay a 90 meters long sandy shoreline is perfectly inserted, naturally adorned with palm trees and green hills, gently lapped by a sea characterized by always calm and clear waters.
