Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe navigation area

On the other side of the ocean, in the Caribbean sun, but still in Europe. The butterfly island and its magnificent sisters are an expat strip of France, a distant province beyond the sea. Sailing in Guadeloupe requires very little formality, and in return only the desire to explore fantastic bays and beaches, green hinterland, villages and towns where you can enjoy the famous joie de vivre in tropical sauce. Mondovela offers cabin crew and charter hire to sail between the islands in complete freedom, choosing every day, on the coast or on land, where you can rub your eyes in front of unique and amazing shows.

The two wings of the butterfly have exotic but deceptive names. Basse-Terre, to the west, is actually much more mountainous and rugged than its sister, while Grande-Terre is much smaller. On Basse-Terre rises majestically the Soufrière volcano, covered by thick forests that descend steeply towards the sea almost to the water, while towards the interior they degrade and dissolve into large plantations. A vast mountain area is part of the Guadeloupe National Park, a valuable ecosystem with more than 3000 species of plants, of which about 100 are orchids, and then rivers and magnificent waterfalls. Interesting historical testimonies are the pre-Columbian rock carvings of Trois Rivière and Plessis, the fort Delgres, built in 1650, and the surprising Hindu temple of Changy. Several fascinating habitations from the colonial period can now be visited or enjoyed after conversion into tourist facilities. Bays and bays with beautiful beaches are scattered everywhere.

A special place are the wild islets in the lagoon protected by a more than 20 km long coral reef within La Réserve Grand Cul-de-sac Marin. The reserve embraces the stretch of inland sea that takes us to Grande-Terre. A little further offshore, the ilet Caret is a little paradise to enjoy outside the daily excursion hours. The main town is Pointe à Pitre, modern and rather chaotic, but pleasant especially in the old town centre where there are several traditional Creole buildings. Here it is not difficult to find the right places to sift through the mestizo gastronomic heritage, where spices play an essential role. On the south coast of Grande-Terre are the major tourist centres of Guadeloupe, Gosier, Sainte Anne, Saint François, with clear waters, enchanting sandy beaches sheltered from the barrier, discos, casinos, bars and fashionable lounges.

The northern area is quite different, characterised by picturesque landscapes, small and little frequented beaches. The navigation takes us to the small archipelago of le Saintes, made up of 9 islands, known for the beautiful bay of Anse du Bourg, considered the third in the world for its beauty. The two main islands, the only inhabited, are Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas. For the rest only white beaches, marine fauna and scenic seabed, to the delight of divers. A separate chapter for the island of Marie-Galante, a name that cannot be missed in the booklet of every sailor in love with the Antilles. It stands still in time, amidst sugar cane plantations and extraordinary landscapes; crossed by traditional kabwé - carts pulled by oxen, and dotted with 106 ancient mills that served the sugar mills. The rum, however, is still there and does not disappoint. Dreamlike beaches, many deserted, and living nature. Another island, another environment. Poorly inhabited, wild looking, with little vegetation and groups of iguanas, Désirade is a dreamlike place, perhaps the most authentic and intact of the Guadeloupe archipelago. It has everything to make you love it.