THE GUADELOUPE PEARLS

THE CARNAVAL

The carnival season starts in January and ends with a big parade in Pointe-à-Pitre on the Sunday before Mardi Gras. This celebration, full of colors occurs everywhere in the archipelago during the months of January and February, and should not be missed!

Excursion to the Petite-Terre islands

This coral reef is classified as a nature reserve, and access is strictly controlled. You will travel there with a fisherman (1-hour crossing, and a bit of a wild ride), and spend the day walking the islands, looking for iguanas (which are easy to spot), or swimming and observing the turtles and lemon sharks. You will have a meal prepared by your fisherman. Enjoy a nice relaxing day, and don’t forget to bring your sunscreen!

Hike the Portes d’Enfer 

This corner of the island is aptly named, as the hot sun beats down on the cliffs and rocks surrounding the trail (the Douaniers). To get here you must make you way to the Lagon de la Porte d’Enfer (Anse Bertrand commune), where you will find the Chez Coco restaurant (approximately 40km north of Saint-Francois, passing through Le Moule on the D120). Here, you can dive in the tranquil lagoon, before hiking the many trails available. The Douaniers trail will lead you to the Pointe des Souffleurs (7.5km each way). 

Point of the Grande Vigie and the Chapelle Beach in Anse Bertrand

This lime stone Cliff (80m high, and 500m long) advances into the ocean and constitutes the northern most point of the archipelago of Guadeloupe. A small path will allow you to reach this beautiful point of view on the cliffs, and the tip of Piton. On a clear day, the islands on Montserrat (to the north-west), Antigua (north) and Desirade (south-east) will be clearly visible. Take this opportunity to pass through the quiet village of Anse Bertrand, have a bite to eat at Loceane restaurant, and relax on the beautiful beach of La Chapelle (southernmost exit of the village – N6). 

La pointe des Châteaux – Saint-François

The point is located 11km from the town of Saint-François whose name also comes from the Capuchins who had put the parish of castles under the patronage of Saint-François d’Assise.

At the tip of the peninsula, on the rocky mound of the tip of the hummingbird was erected a first cross in 1951, recently replaced by a monumental cross of 9 tons for 10m high. From there you will have a unique view of the peninsula and the surrounding islands but you will also have the chance to see the whales that cross its shores in spring. Beautiful sunrise and sunset await you.

From the top of the cross you will have a 360° view on the peninsula at the tip of the castles, but also on the Désirade, Marie Galante and Petite Terre. On a clear day, you can even see Basse Terre and the Saintes archipelago. This 2km walk includes the ascent of the belvedere of Morne Pavilion where the cross is located; Nothing difficult with a path and stairs perfectly arranged.

On the way to the point of the Castles, you can of course stop at the different beautiful beaches: Anse à la Gourde, Anse tarare, Anse à plume, Anse des Châteaux and especially the large cove (saltworks) and on the south coast, the shower and the shower beach (before Kahouanne Cove).