Guadeloupe from island to island

Begin your holiday with a morning lazing about on one of the idyllic beaches in the south of Grande-Terre, lined with coconut trees: Bois-Jolan. Explore the Grands Fonds region with Kontakaz. You can expect a rustic journey back in time as you venture off the beaten track across the hills and farmland. 

Where to eat: At Widy Grego where all the homemade sweet and savoury options are made with cassava. Gluten free. 

Where to stay: At La Toubana, nestled in the highlands with a breathtaking view of the ocean, you are in for a luxurious stay in this tropical paradise. Private entrance to the beach, intimate bungalows and high-end cuisine. 

Saint-François is a fishing village with beautiful, traditional coloured houses, and it is one of the biggest and most festive seaside resorts of Guadeloupe. We recommend the superb lagoon there, which is perfect for surfing, kitesurfing or just lazing in the sun. There are also plenty of restaurants to enjoy before heading to the spectacular Pointe des Châteaux where you’ll feel like you’ve gone to the ends of the earth. 

Where to eat: Cap sur l’Océan, an exquisite fusion of local and international flavours, showcasing fresh seafood and local products in a stunning setting facing the sea. 

Where to stay: two nights at Aqua Lodge, accommodation on the water with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea! A unique and original moment of relaxation. 

Off the coast of Saint-François, the Petite-Terre nature reserve covers a vast 200 hectares and also boasts a superb lagoon, several species of migratory birds, sea turtles and thousands of iguanas. It’s not possible to stay overnight in this nature reserve but there are several boat companies that will take you on snorkelling day trips. 

You'll always need to go via Saint-François to get to La Désirade. Life on this little island still revolves around fishing today. We love admiring the little wooden huts at Beauséjour, relaxing on Souffleur beach, and walking along the deserted cliffs battered by the swell, surrounded by wild goats in the geological reserve. 

Where to eat: At the restaurant Lagranlag, with a welcoming atmosphere and creative cuisine that showcases fish and seafood in authentic, innovative dishes. 

Where to stay: At the hotel Oasis, a real haven of peace for a complete change of scenery in the Caribbean sun. 

We get back on a boat to Saint-François early in the morning to admire some natural sites in the north of Grande-Terre: the Porte d’Enfer, Pointe de la Grande Vigie, Souffleur beach and many more. In Port-Louis, we visit the Domaine de Beauport to learn all about sugar cane, and the ACTe Memorial in Pointe-à-Pitre devoted to the slave trade. 

We go and take a look at the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral, pick up some souvenirs from the Saint-Antoine market, and then go for an early evening drink at the Bas-du-Fort marina. 

Where to eat: The restaurant Chez Dolmare provides a blend of tradition and innovation in a welcoming atmosphere. The very best of local cuisine!  

Where to stay: In the centre of Pointe-à-Pitre, La Maison Victoire is an extremely welcoming boutique hotel with 5 rooms and typical decoration for a unique experience. 

We take to the exotic Route de la Traversée to visit the Parc Zoologique des Mamelles in Basse-Terre, the kingdom of rainforests. 

Where to eat: The restaurant Poisson d’Or, facing the crystal-clear sea in Port-Louis. On the menu, you’ll find Creole-style black pudding, cod accras, chicken colombo and of course the famous plantains... Delicious! 

Where to stay: At the Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, a bed & breakfast with undeniable charm since it is in fact a Colonial style, former coffee plantation standing at 300 metres above sea level. There’s a breathtaking panoramic view to admire.

Between Deshaies and Sainte-Rose, visit the Botanical Garden and then go and relax on the beautiful Leroux, Grande Anse, La Perle, Cluny, Les Amandiers, or Nogent beaches, before exploring the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, a superb nature reserve that separates Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre

Where to eat: The restaurant La Savane with a sea view in the centre of Deshaies! We recommend the salmon tartar with citrus fruit and green salad as a starter and the monkfish tail with saffron, vitelotte mash and vegetables as a main dish. Bon appétit. 

Where to stay: At the Habitation du Comté where you can expect a peaceful getaway in the spacious rooms of this unique historic establishment.  

Follow the road that runs along the south-east side of Basse-Terre. In a setting worthy of an adventure film, you’ll be able to go and see Guadeloupe’s most beautiful waterfalls: the Carbet falls and Moreau falls, both 100 metres high.  

Where to eat: At the Kalinago Carbet where you can try Creole and Native American cuisine in calabash gourds just like the Native Americans. 

Where to stay: At the Jardin Malanga, a Colonial house in exceptional surroundings! There’s a swimming pool overlooking the sea and set in the midst of a lush tropical garden. 

On the southern tip of Basse-Terre, spend the morning strolling around Trois-Rivières, a wonderfully authentic place in Guadeloupe  with black sand beach, bountiful nature and Roches Gravées archaeological park. After lunch, take a boat to the Saintes islands.

Where to eat: At Le Fétou Kreyol, where the hearty dishes showcase the very best of Creole cuisine and celebrate local products. Bookings are compulsory. 

Where to stay: At the Bois Joli hotel for the peaceful atmosphere, exotic setting, private beach and breathtaking views!

Terre-de-Haut is the most populated of the Saintes islands and there is a wide range of water sports to do there, including snorkelling at Pompierre beach, sailing, kayaking, diving at Pain de Sucre, and much more. The bay with turquoise-blue waters is overlooked by Fort Napoleon and is a stunning place. 

Where to eat: The restaurant Ti Kaz’ La on the beach serves high-end, traditional French cuisine with an original touch, using local products. The cocktail menu is also worth a look... 

Where to stay: The Bois Joli hotel just like the previous night. 

Explore the peaceful Terre-de-Bas, a secret and unspoilt island that can be reached in just a few minutes by boat in the morning. Then you can hire an electric car to get to the hiking trails and explore the fascinating botanical diversity.

Where to eat: at Eugenette where you’ll find some fantastic dishes such as the accras - tried, tested and approved by the locals - and lobster at very affordable prices... Make sure you book a table. 

Where to stay: at the hotel Les Hauts de la Baie! Go for a dip in the sunny pool, enjoy a change of scenery overlooking the sea from the wooden decking, and make the most of a relaxing overnight stay thanks to the comfortable mattresses. 

In the morning, head back to Terre-de-Haut to explore the hills on a fantastic walk, on a moped or in an electric cart. Then board the boat to Marie-Galante. You'll be visiting Grand-Bourg, then the Habitation Murat before rounding off the day with a rum tasting at the Bielle distillery. 

Where to eat: the restaurant O’Vivier 

Where to stay: in one of the rentals at La Kaza Marie-Galante! Choose from the bungalows on the beach, cabins, Creole houses, eco-lodges or villas with a pool. There’s something for everyone. 

Around Saint-Louis, head to the beaches of Trois Ilets, Folle Anse, Moustique and Anse Canot and just relax and unwind. Then drive to Gueule Grand Gouffre and Caye-Plate where you can watch the birds swooping through the rocky archways and across the staggering cliffs towering above the sea. End the day at the Domaine de Bellevue distillery and stunning Feuillère beach in Capesterre.

Where to eat: at the Caribbean restaurant La Playa for the tasty dishes that are so beautifully presented. A delight from starter to dessert.

Where to stay: the same place as the previous night. 

Back to Pointe-à-Pitre by boat in the morning, then go along the new road, Route de la Traversée, to Bouillante and Malendure beach where you can go diving and kayaking

in the famous Réserve Cousteau and admire the Pigeon islets.

Where to eat: La Touna. 

Where to stay: Restaurant on the beach, ‘floating’ breakfast served in a private pool, high-end restaurants, wellness massages, and so much more. Les Galets Rouge Hotel & Spa has so much to offer, it would be a shame not to miss it! 

For your last day, head to the 200,000 year-old Soufrière volcano! Early in the morning, we recommend climbing up to the peak as it is an extraordinary experience, accessible to all and takes less than 3 hours there and back. After that, relax in the Bains Jaunes, thermal springs that take their source from the volcano, before visiting the Bologne distillery.  

Where to eat: For this last meal, make your way to the fine-dining restaurant Habitation Desmarets, to enjoy the high-end products, elegant atmosphere surrounded by a tropical garden, for an all-round culinary voyage.  

Where to stay: At the base of the volcano, the Les Bananes Vertes  eco-lodge is the perfect, peaceful place for a well-deserved rest. Added bonus: the heated pool is treated using magnesium which is good for both nature and your skin. Choose to stay in the studios or lodges. 

Visit la Guadeloupe