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Visitor Activities and Attractions
Beaches
Guadeloupe has many fine beaches, some of which are of the clothing-optional variety. There are white-sand beaches
in the resort towns of Gosier,  Sainte-Anne and Saint-François. On the northern side of the peninsula leading to Pointe des Châteaux
are a couple of remote beaches: Anse à la Gourde, a gorgeous sweep of white coral sands, and Anse Tarare,
an adjacent nudist beach. While most of Grande-Terre's eastern coast has rough surf, there's a swimmable beach
at Le Moule and a little protected cove at Porte d'Enfer. On the western side of Grande-Terre, Port-Louis is the
most popular swimming spot, with a broad sandy beach that attracts weekend crowds. On Basse-Terre, the best beaches
are along the northern side of the island just north of Deshaies: Grande Anse beach, with its expansive golden
sands, and Plage de Tillet, a secluded clothing-optional cove.
Diving & Snorkeling
Guadeloupe has over 150 miles of coastline, and although not all of it offers good diving, the extent of the coastline
means that there are a number of nice diving areas.
Basse Terre has the most diving and the largest number of operators. Pigeon Island is the site of the Cousteau
Marine Park. Despite its popularity as a dive destination, the marine life is in good condition. All the sites
are buoyed and this has obviously contributed greatly to the preservation of the reefs. There are also 2 wrecks
near Pigeon Island.
Grand Cul de Sac Marin is the area on the north side between the two sides of Guadeloupe. Several miles of reef
have developed in these sheltered waters and much of the area has been declared a marine park but access is restricted.
Surfing
The surf season lasts from October until May, but the other months can offer ideal conditions too. The waves break
on coral, lava or rock reefs. In winter they'll be of 1,5m to 2,5m. The Trade Winds, blowing nearly the whole year,
are more intense in spring/summer, where you'll meet swell of 1m to 2m. The small height difference between the
tides allows surfing the same spot all day long. During hurricane season (September and October), experienced surfers
will enjoy the exceptional swell following or preceeding hurricanes arising in the Caribbean!
Windsurfing
Guadeloupe has good surfing from October to May at Le Moule, Port-Louis and Anse Bertrand, and from June through
August at Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Petit-Havre. Windsurfing is centered near the resorts on the southern
side of Grande-Terre and on the island of Terre-de-Haut.
Hiking
You can hike many short trails on Guadeloupe that take in waterfalls, primordial rainforest and botanical gardens.
Serious hikers head for longer, more rigorous trails in the Parc National de la Guadeloupe, including one to the
volcanic summit of La Soufrière and another to the base of Chutes du Carbet, the Eastern Caribbean's highest
waterfalls.
Restaurants
Gourmet restaurants: French cuisine with local specialities
Traditional creole restaurants: exotic decoration, typical creole cuisine with local specialities
Local restaurants: simple decoration and family cooking
Lolos: small shops with some tables and daily specials
Attractions
Parc National de la Guadeloupe
At the heart of Basse-Terre, this national park makes for a great drive and/or hike through orchid-filled rainforests
and fern-covered hillsides. The large forest reserve is bisected by the Route de la Traversée, a lovely
mountain drive that passes thick bamboo stands, enormous mahogany and gum trees,  heliconia and ginger. Maison de la Forêt, in
the middle of the park at the very centre of Basse-Terre, has an exhibit centre with (French-only) displays on
the forest. A short trail starts at the centre, crosses a swing bridge over the Bas-David River, and proceeds through
a verdant jungle of gommier trees, tall ferns and squawking tropical birds. Cascade aux Ecrevisses, a jungle waterfall
in the centre of the park, is worth a visit, as is the modest zoo at the western edge of the park
Pointe-a-Pitre
Bustling Pointe-à-Pitre is a mix of old and new: largely commercial in appearance, it's peppered with colonial
architecture and West Indian flavor. The city began as a fish market at the edge of the harbor in 1654, and is
now is Guadeloupe's largest city as well as its economic centre.
Pointe-à-Pitre is a small town, and though it may see a lot of traffic, it's not exactly over-endowed with
tourist traps. There are a couple of small museums, but other than that its most interesting sight is the hullabaloo
of the busy harbourside market.
Saint-François
This former fishing village has boomed into the country's second-largest resort area, not always with a high degree
of sensitivity. While the western side of town is still largely provincial in character, the eastern side has been
given over to tourism development. The deep U-shaped, yacht-filled marina is lined with restaurants, luxury hotels,
car rental agencies and boutiques. If a round of golf and sunbathing by the pool are the highlight of your overseas
trips, then Saint-François is probably the place for you. Either way, it's the major jumping-off point for
trips to the smaller islands of Terre-de-Haut, Marie-Galante and La Désirade.
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