Guide to Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe’s two main island’s of Grand-Terre and Basses Terre are connected by a mangrove swamp, and are each diverse in their scenery but equally matched in beauty. Grand Terre is the eastern of the two and is known for its wide expanses of beaches and string of picturesque seaside towns along the coasts.

The western Basses Terre is more mountainous and home to the spectacular Guadeloupe National Park which is surrounded by botanical gardens while being overlooked by the magnificent La Soufrière volcano. It has become popular with charterers looking for natural beauty and outdoor activities, where a day ashore can be spent trekking through jungles and mountain trails before heading back for some well-earned luxury.

South of the two main island’s are a collection of smaller islands, including beautiful Les Saintes, that have still retained a sense of the old charm of the Caribbean and are perfect for day trips and discovering isolated coves and diving spots.

One of the things that all of the Guadeloupe islands are renowned for is their delicious food and drink. The wine is mainly French and the home-grown coffee sweet, strong and black while Ti’punch is the local rum made with sugarcane syrup and fresh lime. The cuisine is a fusion of Creole and French and specialities include fresh lobster, rice and crab and sweet pastries. There is even an annual festival dedicated to food called the Fete de Cuisinieres, or Festival of Women Cooks, where female chefs come together to cater a five-hour Creole banquet for the whole community.

If you are interested in visiting Guadeloupe then view all crewed charter yachts in the Caribbean available to rent for a private luxury vacation around Leeward Islands.