The Best Things to Do in Guadeloupe

Steeped in history, untouched by mass tourism and boasting more than its fair share of natural beauty, the islands of this French archipelago offer culture, adventure and, above all, great food. The African roots of the island remain very much part of the Creole culture, which can be explored at the many museums and restaurants. The quiet villages on the five main islands butting the coastline feature rainforests with waterfalls, towering volcano peaks and mangrove-fringed beaches.
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Preserving the memory and voices of those who suffered during slavery, the Memorial ACTe visitor centre is dedicated to telling and conserving the untold stories of the slave trade that shaped these shores, alongside the history of the indigenous people who called the land home. Memorial ACTe is aptly located on the site of a former sugar factory in the capital Pointe-à-Pitre; leave a few hours to walk through and reflect.

You can’t make the Creole cuisine of Guadeloupe without a whole lot of spice and flavour. Head beneath the iron canopy of the Spice Market in Pointe-à-Pitre, a riot of colour and alluring scents, to pick up supplies. Vendors will call to you as you walk through stalls of cinnamon, vanilla, star anise, paprika and saffron – and chillies, piles of chillies. Try homemade rum punch, and ask for cooking tips.

Chartering a yacht for the day is the best way to explore the scenic shores of Guadeloupe – and you don’t even need sailing experience. This means someone will be manning the helm while you sip an ice cold mojito on deck or dive into the clear waters. Make sure you stop at Pain de Sucre Beach. Named after Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, it sits tall out of the water with a sheer rock topped by lush forest and framed by golden sands.

Worth a trip to the island of Marie-Galante in its own right, La Playa has a reputation for serving the best food in Guadeloupe. Combining locally caught seafood with Creole flavours, standout dishes include tuna medallions with sesame seeds and wasabi and whole lobster with Creole sauce. Finish with a nightcap overlooking the ocean.

This homely downtown restaurant serves some seriously fine dining. Choose from more than 100 wines from the extensive cellar, and order classic French dishes with a Creole twist. Try the tuna tartare, crayfish and citrus salad, shrimp tempura with papaya, and grilled catch of the day with passion fruit and orange sauce. Not a fish fan? Opt for the duck breast with tamarind and ginger.

Set your alarm clock. You’ll need to rise early to catch the sunrise from the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles. At almost 1,500m (4,921ft) high, La Soufrière dominates the island of Basse-Terre – on a clear day, offering views out towards the islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and Dominica. The quickest route to the summit takes around two and half hours, winding up through sprawling vines, towering trees and rocky outcrops until the vegetation clears, revealing a craggy, steaming summit. Cool down with a dip in the mesmerising blue waters of the jungle waterfall and the natural pool of Bassin Bleu.

Explore this national park beyond Soufrière. The 22,000ha (54,363 acres) here cover both land and sea, from hiking paths through dense jungle to the glassy waters of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin. It’s a protected Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and you can sail the shallow, clear waters, stopping at white-sand coral islets, mangrove forests and snorkel spots along the reef.

Row to the nearest islet, and swim in the protected cove; then, climb the highest peak to take in the view of the reserve. Surrounding the Pigeon Islands, the Cousteau Reserve consists of a protected underwater reserve, home to vivid corals, wrecks covered with sponges and a number of small islands. While there are several dive schools close to Malendure Beach, kayaking offers a relaxed way to explore.

Love diving? Fancy a snorkel? The waters at Malendure Beach on the west coast of Basse-Terre are known as some of the best in the Caribbean for diving. The protected waters of the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve are home to schools of tropical fish and several sponge-covered wrecks. Find a diving school on the dark grey sands of the beach, or grab a snorkel and drift above the seagrass beds just off-shore, a favourite spot for turtle-watching.

Catch the ferry across to the Îles des Saintes, and make your way to this impressive hilltop fort. Sitting 100m (328ft) above sea level, the canon-thick walls of this stone monument were built in 1867 to replace an earlier structure constructed by the British. Learn the history of the fort and the surrounding islands, or simply admire the view.

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