Originally called Karukera, Guadeloupe is an overseas department of France that consists of six major islands that are inhabited.
These are Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade, IIes des Saintes and IIles de la Petite Terre.
Pointe a Pitre is the city where cruise ships dock on Grande-Terre Island.
In this post, we explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in Guadeloupe on a cruise.
These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island.
La Caravelle Beach is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the Pointe a Pitre cruise port. There are no beaches within walking distance. This location is protected by reefs which makes it perfect for small children and beginner swimmers. Club Med is located nearby for added amenities.
1. La Caravelle Beach
This beach is truly represents paradise with its white sand, turquoise waters and palm trees.
It is located 20 km from Pointe-a-Pitre cruise port and a taxi will take approximately 18 to 20 minutes to arrive.
Protected by the reefs, the waves are gentle which makes it perfect for children. Club Med is within walking distance where you can rent a chair or grab refreshment.
2. Souffleur de Port Louis Beach
Our next recommendation is 32km from the cruise port, which is perfect for tranquility.
Souffleur de Port Louis Beach has beautiful white sand and clear blue waters ideal for swimmers and sunbathers.
If you are passionate, take your gear with you to enjoy snorkeling: This is where you can witness crossbow fish, butterfly fish, starfish, and, with a bit of rare luck, even several Manta rays on the seabed.
3. Raisins Clairs Beach
Raisins Clairs is well-known for being among the most stunning and mystical places of the Antilles, found 35 km from Pointe-a-Pitre.
The waters are tranquil, and you can swim without worrying about the destructive currents you may experience elsewhere.
The absence of palm trees makes the beach a breathtaking site for unique pictures, but it also means the lack of natural shade. Remember to use sunscreen more often and carry a hat.
The coast is stunning just for its pristine nature but there are no amenities such as bathroom facilities in this area.
4. Anse Laborde Beach
Anse Bertrand is a small village, 35 km from Pointe-a-Pitre, in Guadeloupe that must be added to the list of every visitor who has decided to holiday here for some days.
If you arrive here, you must spend some time in Anse Laborde, a stunning coast with turquoise waters with stunning coral reefs.
There are many amenities at this location including plenty of parking, bathrooms, restaurants and changing rooms.
If you are in need of refreshment, Laborde Beach Restaurant serves amazing meals and drinks that you should try.
The Southern region of the beach is a lot rougher and there are rocks on the seabed. We recommend that you exercise some caution especially with small children.
5. Anse a la Gourde Beach
A famous beach found in the Southeast region of Guadeloupe and 43 km from Pointe-a-Pitre.
The beach has easy access to parking and is located near Chez Honore restaurant which is renowned for its sea food dishes.
Anse a la Gourde Beach has strong waves and high tides and will not be our recommended spot for novice swimmers.
Nevertheless, it is a wide expanse of white sand and is usually not frequented by many individuals.
Thus, this location is nice for persons who want to stroll the beach, individuals who love admiring waves or persons who want to sunbathe on the shore while reading a book.
Final Thoughts
As an archipelago, Guadeloupe has many islands and as a result there is a lot to see and experience.
One advantage of visiting this island is the ease of access to neighboring countries.
L’Express Des IIes provides ferry services from Guadeloupe to Martinique and also to the English speaking islands of St Lucia and Dominica.
During periods of festivities, there may be onward connections to the Northern Caribbean island of Antigua & Barbuda.
We trust that your short stay will allow you to sample a bit of Guadeloupe and its unique charm so that you consider booking a longer stay in the future.
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