Island of Guadeloupe, French Antilles
November 18, 2022 - December 28, 2022
After 3 long years navigating and living in the crazy and unpredictable new world with Covid, we are finally on the road again! Desperate for some sun and warm waters to soothe our body and minds, we decided to explore the islands of the Caribbean with our first stop the French island of Guadeloupe. The island is shaped like a butterfly with each side of the "wing" being quite different. The eastern wing known as Grand Terre, is more populated, sunnier and beachier containing the majority of white sandy beaches. The western wing known as Basse Terre, is less populated, more wild and lush and contains a combo of golden and black sandy beaches. The capital city of Pointe a Pitre lays in the centre of the butterfly and is the islands main hub. The island is almost entirely French which is a challenge but we're trying! Guadeloupe is a great first stop on our Caribbean adventure!
Accommodations
After researching the various areas to stay on Guadeloupe, we decided to start our time in the eastern half of the island known as Grande Terre in the small village of St Francois set along the marina. It's generally a low key village and easy to walk. The marina area is lined with restaurants and the small local beach is popular with kite surfing.
We're situated in a small airbnb apartment with a nice view of the ocean in the distance. It's central to the village and reasonably priced so it fits the bill!
Area of St Francois and The Marina
Plage de Raisins Clairs - Our Closest Beach
A 25 minute walk from our apartment is the local hangout beach. A very long strip of sand with lots of palm tree shade, a restaurant and vendors selling quick food. The water can be a bit wavy but its a nice place for a dip and a picnic.
Side note: About 10 years ago due to coastal erosion, locals found human bones on this beach leading to the discovery of a cemetery buried under the sand containing some 500 tombs.
Plage de Bois Jolan
A 25 minute bus ride away is a pretty beach with a long stretch of soft white sand, one lonely restaurant, and lots of shade along the shoreline. Its waters are calm and clear
Pointe des Chateaux and Plage de Salines
Just a short 20 minute bus ride away is Pointe des Châteaux, a protected natural and heritage site, is one of the most unusual landscapes in the Caribbean region. This rocky, craggy peninsula which includes singular rock formations jutting out of the ocean facing a wide-open, turbulent Atlantic Ocean. There is a trail leading you on a 20-minute hike to the top of the hill where a 33-foot cross towers over Guadeloupe. The million-dollar panoramic view reveals nearly all of Guadeloupe’s archipelago, including the nearby islands of Marie-Galante, Basse-Terre, and Les Saintes.
Just down the road from the point is a beautiful beach named Grand Anse de Salines. A beautiful stretch of white sandy beach with calm clear waters and some pretty good snorkeling. Shade is hard to find.
Plage de Caravelle
This beach is home to the Club Med property but open to the public. Its located just outside of the town Saint Anne, a 30 minute bus ride away from us. It is said to be "the most beautiful beach" in Guadeloupe but we think the others we've visited are better. Still, it was a nice afternoon for sure.
After riding the bus to Saint Anne, we walk along the promenade 30 minutes to Plage de Caravelle
Sargassum - A Brown Algae Filling the Shores of the Caribbean
You'll notice in many of our photo's the dark sea grass lining the shores. This brown algae known as sargassum has in recent years, become a big problem throughout the islands in the Caribbean. Its more than usual blooms is thought to be a byproduct of climate change, human waste and fertilizer runoff. The local authorities are doing what they can to clean it up. Not all beaches are effected by it, thank goodness.
There's a short article here if you'd like to read more.