The 7 best boat rides around Guadeloupe

Discover the wonders of the island with beautiful waters with the best boat rides around Guadeloupe!

Situated in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Guadeloupe has long forged a reputation as a must-see destination for a holiday in the sun. With its exceptional diversity of landscapes and its incredible cultural richness, it has many advantages to attract the greatest number. Adventure in its green forests, enjoy the freshness of its cascades and give yourself moments of ultimate relaxation on its dream beaches.

If you would like to visit the well-known “island with beautiful waters” in a slightly different way, the best thing is to borrow the way to the sea. Amaze yourself in the face of its heavenly coasts and lagoons with translucent waters, explore its wild islands and let yourself be charmed by its exceptional seabed. In sailboat, catamaran or speedboat, prepare yourself for sensational moments. And, who knows, maybe even you'll want to rent a boat to be your own captain.

Here is our selection of the best boat rides around Guadeloupe!

1. Cruise to the islands of Petite-Terre

What’s better for an unforgettable experience than a pretty cruise on a catamaran? Let yourself be tempted by adventure and explore the islands of Petite-Terre where you will rediscover the notion of Paradise on earth. After a crossing of about two hours on the turquoise waters of a sublime lagoon, you will arrive to the destination and quickly give way to the call of a hot and relaxing swim. You want to see more? Put the masks and tubas at your disposal and contemplate the beauty of the seabed where you can cross turtles, fish of all colors, as well as rays.

But the islands of Petite Terre are not just summed up in their extraordinary underwater life. After a delicious Creole lunch, you will be delighted to land to discover the richness of its fauna and its terrestrial flora. Take the direction of the lighthouse, walk between the ruins of old dwellings and watch iguanas, birds and crustaceans move between bayacs and agaves. At the end of the day, it is with memories full of the head that you will take again place on the catamaran, direction the marina of Saint-François.

2. The islands of the Grand Cul de Sac Marin

Treat yourself to one of the best rides around Guadeloupe by heading to the islands of the Grand Cul-de-sac marin. Installed on a catamaran, you will first sail to the Salt River, a sea arm of about five kilometers separating the Bass-Terre and the Grande-Terre. You will then stop at the Isle of the Biche, a small fishermen’s sanctuary away from everything. The feet in the water, and with the pleasant sensation of being cut off from the world, you will be invited to share an apero.

After a good bath, you will continue your excursion to the Îlet Blanc and the Îlet Caret to admire fabulous landscapes worthy of postcards. On your way back, before enjoying the lunch served on the boat, you will mark a stop at the Petite Biche to observe a myriad of colorful fish swim between the roots of paletuviers. To finish in beauty, you will have the chance to dive into the heart of the coral barrier where a stunning show awaits you.

3. La Réserve Cousteau – Underwater boat tour

Ideal if you want to get your eyes full, this excursion is an original way to go to the North of the Basse Terre to discover the National Park of Guadeloupe, a UNESCO heritage site. But that’s not all! This boat ride in Guadeloupe will also allow you to admire the underwater life of the famous Cousteau Reserve.

With its glass background immersed 1.5 metres under the water, you will be able to witness a fantastic ballet of various fish thanks to a 360° panorama. You thought you'd stay dry throughout the visit? What a fool! Put your shirts on and jump into a clear and calm water.

For a little more fun, we advise you to take a look at the back of the boat where you will find a slide. Small and large will be delighted to borrow it for entertaining slippers. At the end of the tour, you will finish on a sweet note by sipping the uncontournable planter — with or without alcohol — served by the crew. So, tempted?

4. Sailing to the Holy

Take a break away from the growing tourist that can take the archipelago by choosing one of the best boat rides around Guadeloupe. Tillez vos souls d’aventuriers en climbing on a superb sailboat and taking the direction of the Saintes, a magnificent rosary of islands that you will love to discover from the sea. Be the sailors of one day by barring, hoisting the sails and helping the captain with the port maneuvers.

After the crossing of the canal, wonderful landscapes will unfold in front of you. From Terre de Haut to Terre de Bas, to Îlet Cabris, you will no longer know where to give head. Don’t forget your cameras to immortalize all this!

At lunch time, you will taste a succulent Creole meal composed of local seasonal products. Are you afraid of having a little warm? Don't worry, an autonomous dive — with masks and tubas — is on the program. Thanks to a mooring on an accessible spot, you will have all the leisure to extasier yourself in front of a parade of tropical fish and much more. On the return, driven by the wind and the sea, you will witness a sunset full of magic that you are not ready to forget.

5. Visit of mangrove by fishing

You want unusual? Do you want to spend a memorable moment with family or friends? Come and admire one of the most beautiful Guadalupian sites by choosing a visit combining fishing and fun mangrove discovery. Accompanied by experienced instructors from the French Federation of Fishing Guide Monitors, you are assured to learn more about the particularities of the mangrove ecosystem.

But, you will have understood, this trip is not just a simple comment. You will also get a good dose of adrenaline by trying to catch fish from different species in the region. After 6 to 9 hours of pure conviviality to ignite different fishing areas, you will emerge memories full of your head and, who knows, you may have managed to ferrate large fish.

6. Marie-Galante en Speed-Boat

With its two 250CV engines each, the Speed-Boat guarantees one of the fastest and best boat rides around Guadeloupe. Attach the coasts of Marie-Galante in a record time and let yourself be dragged into a surprising jump in time by browsing the one that is surnamed the "Great Galette". After having an overview of its rich and unique heritage, you can delight your taste buds with a succulent and rich anti-llean meal composed — among other things — of grilled fish and chicken.

In the afternoon, installed on the boat, you will take the direction of a selection of the most beautiful beaches on the island. And, to crown everything, you will have the opportunity to practice apnea diving with equipment included in the service. On your return to Saint-François, you will be happy to finish the day with a thrilling sunset at the rhythm of local music.

7. Catamaran release to discover the cetaceans

Have you ever dreamed of watching whales or dolphins? This is the time when you never throw yourself in the water! Well, not quite. During this catamaran outing off the coast of Guadeloupe, accompanied by an eco-Baleinier guide, you will go in search of the different cetaceans that frequent the warm waters of the archipelago. If swimming is not on the program, you will not be able to get bored. With no less than 17 species that can be observed in the region, you have a great chance to get full of them.

The day will start quietly with a binocular and hydrophone spotting phase, then will continue with an animation of the whale guide. Prepare yourself to unbelievable sensations because, when you see the silhouette of a cachalot or a tasked dolphin, you will have the breath cut off. If you only have eyes for the spectacular humpback whales, it is best to book this nice visit between December and May. You can see them swim with their little ones, while listening to their singing and the educational information provided by the guide.

So tell us, which one of these boat rides around Guadeloupe tempts you most?