Guadeloupe, known as the island of beautiful waters, is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts and catamaran cruisers. Situated in the Caribbean Sea, this French island offers a diversity of landscapes and a wealth of culture that attracts many travellers every year. If you dream of exploring the hidden treasures of Guadeloupe on a 7-day catamaran cruise, here are a few tips for planning an unforgettable itinerary.
Step 1: Choosing your catamaran and crew
To make your cruise a success, start by choosing the catamaran and crew best suited to your needs. There are several options available to you:
Catamaran rental without skipper: ideal for experienced adventurers
Catamaran rental with skipper: so you don't have to worry about manoeuvres and can enjoy the trip to the full.
Don't forget to compare offers and prices before making your choice!
Step 2: Plan your cruise itinerary
For a one-week trip, you'll have the opportunity to discover many facets of Guadeloupe and even its surrounding islands.
Here's a sample itinerary to make the most of your catamaran holiday:
Day 1: Pointe-à-Pitre - Marina du bas du fort
This modern marina offers comprehensive facilities for yachtsmen, with well-maintained pontoons able to accommodate a wide variety of boats. Facilities include water and electricity terminals, repair and maintenance services, as well as nearby shops, restaurants and bars to cater for all boating needs.
Day 2: Îlet Gosier
This picturesque island is surrounded by crystal-clear waters, offering visitors the chance to swim, snorkel or simply bask on its white sandy beaches. The coral reefs are home to a rich marine biodiversity, making it a popular spot for spotting tropical fish and colourful coral.
Day 3: Marina de St François
The Marina de Saint-François is a hub of social and recreational activity, with numerous restaurants, bars and shops lining the quayside. You'll find a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere here, with sailors from all over the world swapping travel tales and sailing tips.
Day 6: Petite Terre
This uninhabited islet is renowned for its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and exceptional marine biodiversity.
Accessible only by boat, Petite Terre is a popular destination for visitors seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. Its secluded beaches offer ideal conditions for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing in the sun. Scuba divers can explore the colourful coral reefs, which are teeming with marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles and sometimes even rays and sharks.
Day 6: Marie Galante
Marie Galante is often referred to as the "island of a hundred windmills", due to its landscape of historic windmills scattered across its sugar cane fields.
The island offers an authentic and tranquil atmosphere, with quaint little towns, pristine white sandy beaches and lush green countryside. Visitors can explore charming fishing villages such as Grand-Bourg and Capesterre, where they will find colourful markets, historic churches and traditional Creole architecture.
Day 7: Les Saintes
Made up of two main islands, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas, as well as a number of smaller islets, this group offers spectacular scenery, a rich history and a charming atmosphere.
Les Saintes is also renowned for its fascinating history, marked by centuries of French and British colonisation. The remains of historic forts, such as Fort Napoléon on Terre-de-Haut, bear witness to this rich past.
Day 8: Return to the marina at the base of the fort
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime and discover the incomparable beauty of the Caribbean aboard a luxury catamaran for a fortnight. Departing from beautiful Guadeloupe, explore the neighbouring islands, their white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters on this 14-day catamaran cruise. Start planning your trip today with our detailed guide below.
Day 1: Depart Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe - Marina du Bas Du Fort
Arrival at Pointe-à-Pitre international airport
Welcome and transfer to the marina where your catamaran will be waiting for you
Installation on board and briefing on safety and the cruise programme
Dinner and overnight on board
The Marina du Bas-du-Fort is also a lively place, with a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere. In addition, the marina often organises social events and nautical activities to entertain its visitors.
Day 2: Ilet Gosier
Îlet du Gosier is also renowned for its lush vegetation, with coconut palms swaying gently in the wind and shady paths ideal for leisurely strolls. You can explore the island on foot and discover its hidden corners, panoramic viewpoints and maybe even come across a few endemic iguanas.
Day 3: St Anne
This seaside resort is renowned for its magnificent white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Guadeloupe archipelago.
The beach at Sainte-Anne is one of the most famous in Guadeloupe, with its shallow, calm waters ideal for family swimming.
Day 4: St François
This modern marina offers first-class facilities for yachts of all sizes. Facilities include well-maintained pontoons with water and electricity hook-ups, repair and maintenance services, and safety equipment to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors.
Day 5 : Petite - Terre
This uninhabited islet is renowned for its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and exceptional marine biodiversity.
Accessible only by boat, Petite Terre is a popular destination for visitors seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. Its secluded beaches offer ideal conditions for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing in the sun. Scuba diving enthusiasts can explore the colourful coral reefs which abound with marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles and sometimes even rays and sharks.
Day 6 : La Désirade
The island is renowned for its secluded white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, offering visitors an idyllic setting for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing in the sun.
La Désirade's most famous beaches include Plage de Grande-Anse, Plage de Baie-Mahault and Plage de la Réserve Naturelle.
As well as its heavenly beaches, La Désirade is also known for its wild and unspoilt landscapes. Nature lovers can explore hiking trails through green hills, steep cliffs and lush rainforests.
Day 7 : Port - Louis
One of the most striking features of Port-Louis is its magnificent palm-fringed waterfront, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. Golden sandy beaches such as Plage du Souffleur are ideal for swimming, relaxing and water sports such as surfing and kite-surfing.
The town itself has a charming town centre, where you can stroll the picturesque streets, visit the local market to buy fresh produce and handcrafted souvenirs, or sample Creole specialities in the local restaurants.
Day 8 : Deshaie
This charming coastal town is renowned for its natural beauty, beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
As well as the beach, Deshaies offers a variety of activities and sites to explore. Nature lovers will love the hiking trails through the surrounding rainforest, such as the Trace des Falaises trail, which offers spectacular views of the coastline.
The Jardin Botanique de Deshaies is another major attraction in the region. This lush tropical garden is home to a wide variety of exotic plants, colourful flowers and picturesque waterfalls, offering a peaceful escape in the heart of nature.
Day 9 : Cousteau Reserve
The Cousteau Reserve takes its name from the famous oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who did much to raise public awareness of ocean conservation. In particular, he explored and documented the marine riches of this region.
Visitors to the Cousteau Reserve can discover a fascinating underwater world as they dive among colourful corals, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of other marine species. Popular dive sites include Jardin de Corail, îlet Pigeon and Piscine de Malendure, each offering a unique experience.
Day 10 : Les Saintes
Made up of two main islands, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas, plus a number of smaller islets, this group offers spectacular scenery, a rich history and a charming atmosphere.
Les Saintes is also renowned for its fascinating history, marked by centuries of French and British colonisation. The remains of historic forts, such as Fort Napoléon on Terre-de-Haut, bear witness to this rich past.
Day 11 : Marie - Galante
Marie Galante is often referred to as the "island of a hundred windmills" because of its landscape of historic windmills scattered across its sugar cane fields.
The island offers an authentic and tranquil atmosphere, with quaint little towns, pristine white sandy beaches and lush green countryside. Visitors can explore charming fishing villages such as Grand-Bourg and Capesterre, where they will find colourful markets, historic churches and traditional Creole architecture.
Day 12 : Return to Bas Du Fort marina
Ready for adventure? Then book your 14-day catamaran cruise from Guadeloupe now and create lasting memories in the Caribbean.