Itinerary in Guadeloupe – The ultimate route to discover the West Indies

by | Mar 9, 2022

This exotic destination is ideal for a boat cruise around the 7 islands of the Caribbean archipelago. We have prepared an itinerary for you in Guadeloupe. You are free to follow this boat route or take it as an inspiration to create your own.

The main island includes Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, which form the famous butterfly. Pointe-à-Pitre, the main marina and city of the archipelago, is located here. We advise you to start your cruise from this point. Easy to access, the port of Pointe-à-Pitre offers all the services and comforts necessary to prepare for your trip. 

Rent a boat in Guadeloupe for having this incredible experience.

The must-sees :

  • The beautiful beaches of Les Saintes, including the Plage du Pain de Sucre
  • Visit the sugar canes and taste the famous rum of Marie Galante
  • The fauna and flora of the islands of Petite Terre.
Sailing route in Guadeloupe

Day 1: Welcome to Pointe-à-pitre

boats in beach Caribbean

Welcome to Pointe-à-Pitre! This city brings together people from all over the Caribbean and Europe. We suggest you stroll through the markets of the dock and Saint Antoine. The colours, the scents and the atmosphere make it a must for all visitors.

And if the city is not your thing, then we suggest you set sail for the islet of Gosier. Easily accessible by boat, and although very busy, expect to be amazed. A heavenly beach and multicoloured fish make this islet a postcard landscape.

Day 2: Pointe-à-pitre Saintes archipelago

20 nautical miles, 4 hours of sailing

boats anchoraged in guadeloupe

The second stage of this itinerary is Saintes archipelago, located about twenty nautical miles from Point-à-Pitre. Leave early in the morning to enjoy the two inhabited islands of this archipelago: Terre-de-bas and Terre-de-haut. It’s up to you to choose which one you want to visit!

Terre-de-haut is the closest island to Pointe-à-Pitre, and it is probably the one that will take you to the Saintes archipelago. This island is the most touristic of the Saintes and has one of the most beautiful bays in the world: La Plage de Pain de Sucre. Get your masks and flippers ready because a real aquarium awaits you: from rays to lobsters and multicoloured fish.

Day 3: Saintes archipelago Marie-Galante

20 nautical miles, 4 hours of sailing

Sailboat in guadeloupe

On the third day of this boat tour, set sail for Marie-Galante. 20 nautical miles separate you from this island famous for its rum and sugar cane. It is also the third-largest island in Guadeloupe.

From the Saintes, you will arrive via the town of Grand-Bourg. You can easily find a mooring in the harbour. If the anchorage in Grand-Bourg is not suitable for you, don’t waste time and anchor in Saint Louis.

Take the time to visit it. 

In any case, don’t miss the “Gueule Grand Gouffre”, located north of Marie-Galante. It is a natural arch, sculpted by the sea. Luminous blue in calm seas, it is the perfect place to take beautiful photos.

Day 4: Marie-Galante Petite-Terre

25 nautical miles, 5 hours of sailing

For the fourth day of this itinerary in Guadeloupe, head for Petite-Terre, a little corner of paradise. Turtles, sharks, rays and multicoloured fish await you in the translucent waters of this small island.

Although very popular, Petite-Terre remains a nature reserve. So remember to respect this idyllic place as much as possible. Once you have explored the turquoise waters of this reserve, set sail for La Désirade.

Day 5: Petite-Terre La Désirade

7 nautical miles, 1 hour 20 minutes of sailing

sailing in guadeloupe

This 5th stage in your Guadeloupe itinerary is one of the shortest on the circuit in terms of distance – only 7 nautical miles to reach port. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the wild and authentic destination, La Désirade.

A haven of peace, a little piece of paradise: there is no shortage of praise for this archipelago. You can explore the interior of the islands, on foot for the uninhabited ones or with the help of a scooter for the other. The few restaurants present will be a good way to enjoy a moment of comfort on this 15 km long island.

By the way, do you know the origin of the name La Désirade? According to legend, it was the first island to be spotted by the caravels during Christopher Columbus’ second voyage. La Désirade then represents the sailors’ desire to find dry land.

Day 6: La Désirade Saint-François

13 nautical miles, 2.5 hours of sailing

anchorage in guadeloupe

The goal of this last stage is to sail to the town of Saint-François, one of the tourist centres of the butterfly. This town has skilfully blended modernity and authenticity. On one side, a fishing port gathers wooden houses and huts, centred around an old church. On the other side, a marina that is very lively in the evening and luxury hotels offer tourists numerous souvenir shops and typical restaurants.

Your Guadeloupe tour ends in Saint-François, with a head full of excellent memories. You can head back to Pointe-à-Pitre during the day or enjoy the late-night entertainment in the marina and sail the next day in the early hours.

Here you can find more itineraries

Set Sail into the New Year

Set Sail into the New Year

Why Sailing is a fantastic way to start 2024 As 2024 approaches and we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, the beginning of a fresh year often inspires us to seek new adventures and embrace novel experiences. If you're looking for a unique and invigorating...

Top Five Winter Sailing Destinations 2023

Top Five Winter Sailing Destinations 2023

Just in time for the upcoming holiday travel season, SamBoat is revealing its top five winter sailing destinations. In this blog, we embark on a maritime journey to uncover the most coveted winter sailing destinations, where azure waters and sun-kissed beaches provide...

Spooky Maritime Mysteries

Spooky Maritime Mysteries

We’re usually focused on sharing fantastic charter offers, destinations, and sailing guides here at SamBoat, but we also love an excellent maritime story. For some Halloween fun, we thought we would share some spooky nautical mysteries. The Flying...

Online boat rental platform all over the world
Set Sail into the New Year

Set Sail into the New Year

Why Sailing is a fantastic way to start 2024 As 2024 approaches and we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, the beginning of a fresh year often inspires us to seek new adventures and embrace novel experiences. If you're looking for a unique and invigorating...

Top Five Winter Sailing Destinations 2023

Top Five Winter Sailing Destinations 2023

Just in time for the upcoming holiday travel season, SamBoat is revealing its top five winter sailing destinations. In this blog, we embark on a maritime journey to uncover the most coveted winter sailing destinations, where azure waters and sun-kissed beaches provide...

Spooky Maritime Mysteries

Spooky Maritime Mysteries

We’re usually focused on sharing fantastic charter offers, destinations, and sailing guides here at SamBoat, but we also love an excellent maritime story. For some Halloween fun, we thought we would share some spooky nautical mysteries. The Flying...

Guide to choosing the right boat to rent in Cabo

Guide to choosing the right boat to rent in Cabo

So, you’ve decided you’re heading to Cabo for vacation. And you want to experience a yacht charter in Cabo to truly enjoy everything the Sea of Cortez has to offer for an afternoon. Let me help you choose the right vessel for your boat rental in Cabo. When choosing...

Top 10 Christmas Destinations for Boating Enthusiasts

As the holiday season approaches, boating enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the opportunity to combine their love for the open water with the festive spirit of Christmas. From charming coastal towns to tropical paradises, numerous destinations around the world offer a...