World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Watersports
Guadeloupe’s beaches are good for swimming, and the sand varies depending on the area: Grande-Terre has white sand, and the sand on the leeward coast is brown, while black-sand beaches can be found on the western end of Basse-Terre. Nude and topless sunbathing is restricted to just a few beaches. Snorkelling and diving can be practised widely, and there are several commercial operators offering equipment hire, courses and diving trips. Snorkellers can usually access coral reefs directly from the beaches. Divers should note that harpoons and artificial lights are strictly prohibited. Glass-bottomed boats operate at several marine nature reserves on Petite-Terre and Basse-Terre. Marine species such as lobsters and sea turtles are protected, and visitors should familiarise themselves with Guadeloupe’s conservation policies upon arrival. There are good facilities (such as boat charters and equipment hire) for fishing, including deep-sea fishing. In maritime reserves fishing is either forbidden or strongly regulated; visitors should enquire locally. Small-boat sailing and water-skiing are both popular. Guadeloupe hosts a number of regional and international sailing competitions and there are sailing schools throughout the islands. Pleasure sailing boats do not require a licence.

Walking
The National Park of Guadeloupe provides around 300km (188 miles) of marked trails leading into the rainforest, where visitors can observe many tropical animals and plants. The scenery on these walks often includes waterfalls (such as the Cascade aux Ecrevisses) or lakes (such as the Grand Etang). On Grande-Terre, hiking trails lead through the mangrove or along the cliffs of the Atlantic coast. For further information, contact the Office du Tourisme (see Contact Addresses section).

Other
Horse riding and mountain climbing are also possible. There is a well-known 18-hole golf course, the Sainte-Franoise, designed by Robert Trent Jones.