Top spots: Deshaies and Bouillante.
Discover a hidden underwater world. Armed with a reliable lamp, you'll spot nocturnal wonders like copper lobsters, spider crabs, decorator crabs, astrophytons, and white-spotted octopuses—creatures active only after dark. Truly unforgettable for seasoned divers and newcomers alike.
Beginner-friendly: Sheltered sites with shallow depths make it accessible.
Get started: €50 per person for a night dive with Archipel Plongée on Malendure beach in Bouillante. Level 1-3 courses from €150.
Location: Soufrière volcano, Guadeloupe's highest peak. Trek starts at Bains Jaunes—perfect for a refreshing swim on the descent.
The reward: After 7 km of challenging trail (steepest in the final 500m), reach 1,467m for a stunning 360° panorama of mountain ranges and nearby islands like Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. Nearby, the Tarissant chasm vents sulfurous clouds. Continue via marked Guadeloupe National Park trails to Piton Dolomieux, the Antilles' second-highest peak at 1,464m.
Spots for all levels: Beginner-friendly Bananier beach with its black sands. Turquoise waves at Port-Louis (Grande-Terre). Experts only: Anse Salabouelle at Le Moule on the Atlantic side.
Ideal conditions: 27°C water and quality waves year-round across renowned spots—a surfer's paradise.
Lessons: No Comply Surf School offers half-day privates from €100; Shaka Surf School group sessions from €35.
Trailhead: Pointe Doublée, east of La Désirade.
Highlights: Catch an exceptional sunrise while exploring the geological nature reserve. Marvel at dramatic landscapes and pristine beaches in this protected haven.
Details: More information here.
Launch point: Saint-Louis bay.
Experience: Paddle through Vieux-Fort's mangroves, spotting turtles, moorhens, and tropical fish. Follow the riverside path to an ornithological observatory—ideal for nature enthusiasts.
Details: More information here.
Destination: One of the world's most beautiful bays.
Why go: UNESCO-listed archipelago offers serene sailing with sheltered anchorages. Itinerary: Sail the canal, relax onboard, explore colorful village homes, snorkel accessible reefs, spot dolphins, and enjoy Creole lunches.
Book: Philavoile provides cruises on request.
More on this paradise: Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Committee, www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com.
