The 8 best diving spots in Guadeloupe

Discover fantastic water landscapes with the best dives in Guadeloupe!

The archipelago of Guadeloupe is a small corner of paradise, where the diversity of landscapes will charm more than one. A flagship destination for a holiday in the sun, it attracts both fierce visitors on white sand beaches and nature lovers dreaming of lush forests and fresh waterfalls.

The underwater exploration enthusiasts, too, are not in the rest. With a multitude of diving sites spread around the island, it will not be difficult for you to find your happiness. From the Bass-Terre to the Grande-Terre, to the Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade, you will have the chance to swim in coral gardens, descend along the tombs and amaze you in the face of a rich and colourful marine fauna and flora.

So, ready to put your eyes on it? Here is a selection of the best places to dive in Guadeloupe!

1. La Réserve Cousteau

A must-see place for diving in Guadeloupe, a few minutes from the beach Malendure, the Reservation is a marine area composed of Pigeon Isles and 1,000 hectares of fabulous seabed. Part integral to the National Park of Guadeloupe, this protected environment is built in a lovely playground for divers.

Sharing a diversity of places as beautiful as each other, it is the promise of an unforgettable experience and surprising encounters. If it is not uncommon to cross turtles, tropical fish or shrimp, you may have the chance to hear the singing of a humpback whale.

Here, there are for all tastes and for all levels. Here is an overview of what you can find:

• The Japanese Garden
• The Coral Garden
• La Pointe Barracuda
• The Franjack
• The Gustavia

And more!

2. Great sea sock

Recognized as a "Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO since 1994, Grand-Cul-de Sac Marin is a remarkable natural site covering no less than 15,000 hectares. With the largest coral barrier in the West Indies, it is made up of a marine area — of course — but also a terrestrial part consisting of mangroves, ponds and marsh forests.

Off the coast, it is a set of unoccupied islands, herbariums and lagoons that are suitable for snorkeling. From the novice to the confirmed divers, you will enjoy discovering the beauty of a place similar to a gigantic aquarium. Make a jump in its limpid waters and let yourself be seduced by a colorful aquatic life away from the swell of the ocean. An unmissable date if you want to scuba diving in Guadeloupe.

3. Island Gosier

Located in front of the town of the same name, L’ islandt Gosier — this small islet barely 1 kilometre long — is an ideal spot for lovers of snorkeling . Go for a subaquatic hike in its shallow waters and advance between its coral reefs where a variety of tropical fish and some murene live.

If you are looking well, between or under the rocks, you may have the opportunity to find hidden lobsters in the sight of the most curious. On the ground you can see white urchins and black urchins. Be careful not to walk on the latter, their thorns are very painful, and they could quickly spoil your diving afternoon in Guadeloupe.

4. Augustin Fresnel

Built in Canada in the 1940s, Augustin Fresnel had several lives. After serving as a ship for the Phares and Balises in the Mediterranean, he was assigned to the maintenance of the beacon in the Guyana Antilles in the 1990s. He finally completed his journey by becoming an artificial reef during his voluntary immersion in 2003 between Malendure and the city of Basse-Terre.

Situated close to 29 metres deep, this 53-metre-long wreck has grown into a true refuge for aquatic fauna and a dreamy journey for diving enthusiasts in Guadeloupe. Longen its exterior, visit its front deck, enter its rooms and remember to make a crochet by its kitchen and dining room. Who knows what surprises you are waiting for!

5. The Lagoon of Saint-François and the Petite Terre Reserve

It is in the extreme south of Guadeloupe, in the charming fishing village of Saint-François, that you will find this wonderful lagoon with crystal clear waters. Perfect for beginners, this exceptional site will not fail to please the most experienced. Dive into its warm waters protected from the waves of the ocean and enjoy the superb spectacle — of fish of all colors — offering yourself.

A little further from there, you will be delighted to find the beautiful Petite Terre reserve . This small island off Saint-François is a great place where you can practice snorkeling and meet unique species such as the lemon shark or the naughty shark. Nor is it rare to cross green turtles that have come to eat in herbaria.

And if you are lucky, off the Îlet, you will be able to visit a large dolphin bench. In short, a sublime diving spot in Guadeloupe!

6. The Pâté Sec

If you are looking for a place to dive in Guadeloupe, here is one of the most mythical: the Sec Pâté !

Ranked among the 100 most beautiful dives in the world, its access is worthwhile since it is reserved for the most experienced of you. This underwater mountain, nestled between the Saintes and Guadeloupe, offers a spectacular setting where the most fabulous Caribbean specimens evolve.

Around the three rocky pitons forming the top of this mountain, you will be able to observe royal angelfish, oceanic balists and even white-point sharks. All in a breathtaking decor that you are not ready to forget. If diving conditions can be quite difficult, don’t doubt that the game is worth it!

7. L’Avion

If you feel the soul of an explorer and are attracted to the wrecks of all kinds, it should please you. This CESSNA 188, a former agricultural aircraft used to spread pesticides, was immersed in 2000 near coral reefs. Today caught by corals and a diversified fauna, it lends itself perfectly to diving for advanced levels.

After contemplating butterfly fish, angel fish and other tropical species around the Aircraft , you can continue with the coral plateau where gorgones and sponges proliferate. By scrolling the sand, you will see the small heterocongres also called "garden eels".

8. La Pointe de la Grande Vigie

Cape on the extreme north of Grande-Terre, on the commune of Anse-Bertrand, and find a reversing place: the Pointe de la Grande Vigie . Accessible only when conditions permit, this uncommon site still has great surprises. There, at the foot of dizzy cliffs swept by the waves of the Atlantic, you will feel very tiny.

By immersing yourself under water, you will make even more extraordinary discoveries. Go first between the rocky blocks. Then venture into the tunnels and don’t miss the incontournable Cave Amédien . In the Jardin de la Vigie , you can marvel at the face of tree-like gorgones and reef fish slaloming between corals and turtles.