The 8 things to do to Marie-Galante

Visit Marie-Galante: What are the best things to do and see in “L’Île aux Cent Moulins”?

This small piece of heavenly land depends on the island of Guadeloupe, located further north, and is therefore a French territory. But the disbursement is guaranteed on the “Great galette”, nicknamed that the island owes to its quasi-circular form and its particular relief! Once almost reserved for sugar cane plantations, the island has an impressive historical and artisanal heritage but is also ideal for enjoying the beauty of its typical tropical landscapes.

In addition to its splendid beaches, astonishing mangroves and coves inviting to swim, there are many different leisure activities. Sporty or not, amateur of culture or not, no doubt that Marie-Galante will seduce you and leave you compelling memories. And maybe even, want to go back!

Are you wondering what to do to Marie-Galante during your stay? Here is the answer with our 8 essentials to visit Marie-Galante, this unforgettable little piece of heavenly land!

1. Explore the island hiking trails

For lovers of large spaces, walking ferus seeking to do to Marie-Galante, we offer you the simplest, most economical activity and of course one of the most interesting ones: swiping the island by surveying one of the nine sublime marked routes that will allow you to give you the joys of hiking.

This activity is one of the most popular of the island, and an illustrated brochure presenting each of the routes in question is available, as soon as you arrive on the island, in the various arrival areas of the visitors -aerodrome or embarcadera. We recommend that you have a good amount of water and leave in the morning to enjoy an ideal temperature!

2. Participate in the November celebrations

For the inhabitants, November is the month of the most friendly local events. Like everywhere in the West Indies, we appreciate the bettings on the cockfights, but especially the spectacular beef competitions that take place all over the island: trails are set up for this purpose all over the island and take place every Sunday.

It’s definitely a cultural attraction that will passion small and large, and will be the ideal opportunity to enjoy a cod acra and, why not but always with moderation, local rum cocktails such as the “ ti-punch”, internationally recognized local specialty!

3. Discover the fabulous coral reefs

When we come to visit Marie-Galante, it is obvious that we must take advantage of the coastline and even dive there: many spots exist off the three major cities that are Grand-Bourg Saint-Louis or Capesterre. To take you there safely and allow you to enjoy your experience in full, clubs welcome visitors and lead them, by boat, to the underwater places among the most sumptuous of the Antillean bow.

In snorkeling (palms and tuba), you can become acquainted with the fabulous fauna that flew the coasts of the island. You can discover multicolored fish, rays and sometimes sea turtles; In addition, the most motivated will be able to pass various dive patents in local clubs and thus acquire recognized scuba diving skills.

4. Preaching on paradise beaches

What to do to Marie-Galante when we... like to do nothing? Leave to relax and sun-drench on the beaches of fine sand licked by turquoise water that belt the island! The white sand of La Feuillère, the ravishing coconut trees of the Anse de Mays , bars Folle Anse or the small market of the Grand-Bourg beach: Whatever your thirst for stuffing, it will be possible if you come to visit Marie-Galante!

In addition, water is perfectly pure and free of waste, and beaches are perfectly maintained on the island. And for those who would favor authenticity, small coves stir up the coast and present the advantage of offering a pure moment of tranquility.

5. Visit the Bellevue distillery

When you come to visit Marie-Galante -and the French Antilles in general - a cultural must be imposed on the tourist of passage: the visit of a distillery, and especially the amazing distillery of Bellevue : inaugurated in 2003, with a pure architecture and an amazing feature, since it is the first completely non-pollutant anti-Laugh distillery.

With a last-cri production unit, it is possible to visit to discover the methods of making this traditional alcohol, it was nevertheless one of the oldest distilleries on the island.

6. Spend in the past at Château Murat

The Château Murat, first of all, was a former sugar house of the 18th century: in fact, it was the most beautiful of the island, and it demonstrated the use of the three energy sources of traditional distilleries: animal, wind, then thermal energy. The architecture of the mill is a work of architectural art, made of stone-cut stones crowned with stone tores.

The immense building, as well as the surprising silly mill that is attached to it, is now abandoned but these sumptuous ruins are an ideal place to discover when we look for what to do to Marie-Galante. It is possible to visit them any season and are a major tourist point for small and large!

7. Gueule Grand Gouffre

A true open-air blower, the site belongs to the commune of Saint-Louis and is absolutely to do if you come to visit Marie-Galante. Gueule Grand Gouffre reserves a majestic landscape on the coasts of Grande-Terre and La Désirade when time permits.

You will also have a dizzying view of a dark hole and the waves of the ocean coming to throw themselves with fracas against the rock. Take your cameras with you!

8. Make a boat ride

Visiting Guadeloupe is also enjoying its coastline. And Marie-Galante is no exception! Indeed, at the departure of the latter, very nice excursions are to be made by boat. For example, you could go to Basse Terre, Sainte-Anne or La Désirade.

It would be a shame not to rent a boat , and thus miss the fairytale setting of the Caribbean waters.

How to get to Marie-Galante?

When you want to visit Marie-Galante, it is almost essential to go through the Pointe-à-Pitre airport in Guadeloupe. We find flights from France to Pointe-à-Pitre every day. Without a stopover, the trip will last between 8:30 and 9:00. The stopovers usually take place at Miami or to the airport Martinique ! Moreover, you will find all flights at the best price on our partner Ulysses .

Once on site, you can take a boat from the Bergevin Maritime Station on the line leading to Grand-Bourg (the main port of Marie-Galante). Of course, we recommend this solution that will allow you to enjoy, during the fifty minutes of the crossing, a soothing ride.

You can also choose the air route, using the Pointe-à-Pitre airport, a small bi-engine to connect the Bass aerodrome. Once on the island, a few companies car rental , located at the Grand-Bourg or at the bass aerodrome, ensure the availability of a vehicle to walk freely along the tarred roads that snake on this beautiful little island. And not just cars: scooters and bikes are also waiting for the most expensive!

Where to stay at Marie-Galante?

The advantage, when you come to visit Marie-Galante, is that you have to make the choice between the different types of accommodation: to select according to your wishes and budget. In addition, this French territory allows... to speak in French, which is a significant advantage for some!

The island includes many hotels, spread throughout the coast, especially on the south coast. The three major cities, Grand-Bourg, Saint-Louis and Capesterre are obviously the place where you will find the most establishments, which you can compare by consulting the offers on this one. Compare hotels . It’s not all, of course, it’s also possible for you to immerse yourself in the Caribbean culture by renting a room in a villa... or even the whole villa, at the week, with many properties available at all times of the year! To help you, you can read our article " In which city house in Marie-Galante? "!

From now on, you know how to best enjoy when you come to visit Marie-Galante, and enjoy your stay on site to the maximum. But will you manage to choose what to do to Marie-Galante and... will you prefer to go there during the dry or wet season?