Guadeloupe Yacht Charter

Guadeloupe is a region between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the West Indies and the French Overseas Department, about 6,200 km from mainland France. Grande Terre and Basse Terre make up Guadeloupe, which is administratively connected to the territory by many neighboring regions.

The Guadeloupe Islands (Grande Terre, Basse Terre, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, Petite Terre, La Désirade) offer various routes and stops, each more spectacular than the other. With the stormy season lasting from June to November, the trade winds make sailing especially ideal from December to April. Be alert, however, since navigation on the coasts can be relatively easy, but swells between the numerous islands can be wide in the open sea, and storms are frequent. Be cautious in August and September, which are favorable months for cyclones and stormy seas.

Guadeloupe Yacht Charter

You can find Guadeloupe, situated in the Antilles, among the regions people dream of sailing. This clutter of heavenly islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea draws many visitors. People come to see the island’s beauty worldwide, go scuba diving or snorkeling, do some kitesurfing, or enjoy their time with family or friends. Some beaches, such as Saint-Anne Beach (one of the most popular cities globally), are white-sand beaches. In the center of Guadeloupe, the town of Pointe-a-Pitre connects the more significant land to the lower ground. Because of its butterfly shape, it is easy to locate the island on a map.

Sailing Guadeloupe

The Guadeloupe Charter Area is part of the Caribbean Leeward Islands and is an overseas department of France. There are two major islands in Guadeloupe-the eastern Grand Terre and the western Basse-Terre. The Rivière Salée channel divides them, and together they form a butterfly-like shape. The Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and Îles des Saintes islands are all part of Guadeloupe and can be reached by ferry. Guadeloupe is an island paradise that offers an unforgettable sailing trip.

Thanks to its excellent facilities and proximity to the airport, the Bas du Fort marina in Pointe à Pitre, the islands’ vibrant center, is a strong starting point for yacht charters in Guadeloupe. In Bouillante on Basse-Terre and Saint Francois on Gran-Terre, healthy marinas are also found. You will sail from Pointe à Pitre to Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne, and Saint-Francois along the beautiful southern coast of Grand Terre, where you can find several pristine, unspoiled beaches. South of Saint-Francois lies the island of Marie Galante, and the charming town of St Louis is well worth a visit. There is a serene atmosphere on the island, and it is renowned for its delicious rum. There are some excellent snorkeling spots in the Iles-des-Saintes Islands west of Marie Galante.

The National Park surrounding La Soufrière Volcano and the Galion Waterfalls is part of Basse Terre. It is possible to hike in the rainforest to the top of the volcano and along the walking trails to discover the tropical wildlife. There are ‘Roches Gravees’ near Trois Rivières at the Parc Archeologique, ancient rock carvings marking early signs of man in the Caribbean.

There is the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve on the west coast of Basse Terre in Bouillant, a perfect place for scuba diving and snorkeling, as natural hot springs flow into the waters and attract colorful marine life. The Ministry of Rum is located in Saint-Rose, on the northeastern tip of Basse Terre, where you can see how it is made, and there will be plenty of opportunities to taste local rum in Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe has an exciting national cuisine inspired by African, East Indian, and French cooking, and there is the Women’s Cooks Festival or ‘Fête des Cuisinières’ during August. The festival is a Creole and French food celebration and is open to everyone. There are dances, parades, and, of course, delicious foods to sample during this period.

Guadeloupe History

The Arawaks, an island group dispersed across the Caribbean islands, were the first known individuals to inhabit Guadeloupe. They named the island Karukera, or “The Island of Beautiful Waters.” The Caribs migrated to the island to stake their claim on the bounty and fertile grounds abundant in Guadeloupe as the Arawak culture began to decline.

In his second exhibition, Christopher Columbus discovered Guadeloupe and named it “Santa María de Guadalupe” after the Virgin Mary. However, the Spanish lost control of Guadeloupe to the French as more nations began to colonize North America and the Caribbean islands. The French settled on Guadeloupe until the island was captured by the British in 1759. The Treaty of Paris, which gave France possession of Guadeloupe once again as it ended the Seven Years War, was signed by the French and British in 1763. However, before the Treaty of Vienna was concluded in 1815, the British, French, and even the Swedes battled over the island.

Much focus was placed upon the sugar trade during colonization. Hundreds of plantations emerged, and Guadeloupe became the largest sugar and rum exporter. More sugar was exported by Guadeloupe than all the British islands combined. In general, Guadeloupe’s sugar trade was worth around £6 million ($8.01 million) a year during the 1700s. While sugar is produced on the island, bananas and other local fruits are Guadeloupe’s main export items.

Guadeloupe Weather

Such waters provide perfect sailing line-of-sight and receive very calm trade winds. The average temperature in Guadeloupe is consistently around 27-30°C (80-86°F). Guadeloupe has two main seasons, like most tropical areas; you can expect a dry season to last between January and June and a rainy season from July to December. The northeastern trade winds blast at an average of 20-25 knots during the peak rainy months.

To stop rain and thunderstorms and experience calmer waters, we suggest you schedule your yachting trip with Yachtco for the first half of the year. If you are a novice, to assist with navigation and learn more advanced sailing techniques, we suggest you employ a skipper for your yacht charter.

Guadeloupe’s sailing conditions

Guadeloupe, due to its beautiful year-round weather and a decent mix of sailing conditions to suit all skills, is a favorite of Caribbean sailors. You will want to avoid Guadeloupe between August and September, as with other areas of the Caribbean, as this is the hurricane season. With enthralling line-of-site navigation between islands, the sailing conditions are ideal outside of this window. To avoid the dangers of crossing coral reefs amid shifting winds, seasoned sailors will find a challenge to whet their appetite, while beginners can stick to renting a boat with a skipper. An accomplished skipper will give travelers a chance to relax and soak in the fantastic scenery while chartering for a week without the concern of sailing themselves.

How to get to Guadeloupe

With flights in and out of Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, this little French paradise in the Caribbean is accessible year-round. Direct flights are operated by several international airlines, including Air France, Air Canada, and Air Belgium, with Air Antilles providing domestic and regional flights across the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is an evocative boat charter destination with picturesque waterfalls, mountain vistas, and coastal port towns offering the freshest seafood. Guadeloupe is one of the world’s best sailing destinations, from historic ports to world-class surfing, snorkeling, and diving.