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Top 10 Things to Do on Grande-Terre Island

Last Updated: January 26, 2022 · Guadeloupe

Grande-Terre is Guadeloupe’s main island teeming with white sand beaches, coastal towns, sugarcane fields, and craggy cliffsides. What’s more, the island’s turquoise clear water, dramatic landscapes, and colorful spice markets all ooze Caribbean postcard vibes that make you want to jump inside and sail away.

But as picturesque as it may be, Guadeloupe’s Grande-Terre island is far less lush and tropical, idyllic, or calm as it seems.

After living in Guadeloupe for two months, we quickly discovered that Grande-Terre is very different from its sister island, Basse-Terre, and the other islands belonging to Guadeloupe as a whole (Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, Petite Terre, Îlet Cabrit).

Despite its differences (some of which are not so pleasant), there are many amazing things to do on Grande-Terre island; from hiking the Hell’s Gate Trail on a road trip around North Grande Terre to hiking to Pointe des Châteaux to windsurfing and surfing off its sugary-soft beaches in Saint-François.

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know to visit Grande-Terre including the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and more. I’m sharing all my best tips so you can make the most of your time exploring Guadeloupe!

Table of Contents show
Ultimate Guide to Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe
Getting to Grande-Terre Island in Guadeloupe
Transport & Traveling Around Grande-Terre
Where to Stay on Grande-Terre
Top 10 Activities & Things to Do
1. Visit the Pointe des Châteaux Peninsula
2. Lounge on Grande-Terre’s Beaches
3. Hike the Hell’s Gate Trail
4. Grab Lunch on the Saint-François Marina
5. Taste Artisanal Rum at Gwadinina Distillery
6. Kayak to Gosier Islet Lighthouse
7. Tour the Memorial ACTe (Slave Trade Museum)
8. Enjoy Delicious Açaí at Sainte-Anne Beach
9. Road Trip North Grande-Terre
10. Visit the Northernmost Point of Grande-Terre

Ultimate Guide to Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe

  • Woman in yellow bikini overlooking Caribbean ocean on Grande-Terre island in Guadeloupe
  • Creole woman holding bottle of artisanal rum made in Guadeloupe
  • Run down traditional creole windmill in Guadeloupe
  • palm tree and kite from kite surfer
  • The Hotel de Ville colorful building in Le Moule Guadeloupe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

✈️ Find cheap flights to Guadeloupe on KAYAK from $99+

🚗 Book your rental car well in advance on Discovercars.com

🏠 Stay at one of these top-rated hotels in Grande-Terre

🎒 Pack reef-friendly sunscreen and a travel power bank

💧 Remember to hydrate—fill a reusable water bottle and take 1L per person

📸 Bring your travel camera and drone gear for epic shots

🛡 Protect your adventures with SafetyWing, the global travel medical insurance for nomads

☀️ Sunset in Guadeloupe is around 18:00 (6 PM), turn around on any hikes before dark

Getting to Grande-Terre Island in Guadeloupe

Exterior building of Pointe-à-Pitre airport in Guadeloupe
Arriving in Pointe-à-Pitre

The Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) is the only international airport that serves the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe.

The airport is located in the western part of Grande-Terre, nearby the popular town of Le Gosier and the highway connecting Grande-Terre to Basse-Terre island.

Right now, there are direct, non-stop flights each week from New York (JFK) and Miami (MIA). If you are traveling from Canada or France, you can get direct flights from Montréal (YUL) and Paris (CDG).

Transport & Traveling Around Grande-Terre

Once you land in Grande-Terre, your only convenient option for getting around the island is by rental car. You can either:

  • Rent a car at Pointe-à-Pitre airport (highly recommended)
  • Take the Karu’lis bus line to/between coastal towns

However, note that the bus system in Guadeloupe isn’t very reliable. We took the bus from Pointe-à-Pitre to the airport and back (to drop off our rental car) and from Le Gosier all the way up to Saint-François and back. Beyond that, we were stuck without a car.

If you don’t have a rental car for your time in Guadeloupe, you’ll find it very difficult to get around and do anything, especially if you want to travel from Grande-Terre to Basse-Terre. A rental car in Guadeloupe is simply a must for vacationers!

That said, short-term living in Guadeloupe isn’t very ideal for slow travelers or digital nomads like us.

Where to Stay on Grande-Terre

lagoon with yacts in saint francois
Saint-François Lagoon

The best places to stay will be along the southern coast—in the towns of Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne, and Saint François (from left to right on the map).

  • Le Gosier: Park, beaches, outdoor market, nightlife, Gosier islet with lighthouse
  • Sainte-Anne: Turquoise beaches, cute shops, markets, restaurants, Club Med, Plage de la Caravelle
  • Saint-Francois: Upscale marina with restaurants, private beaches, diving, windsurfing, Pointe des Châteaux

Staying in the center of Point-à-Pitre is another option, but not one I would recommend; it’s a bit dodgy and far from the beaches.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path in Grande-Terre, consider these other places to stay in the North Grande-Terre, such as in Le Moule, Anse-Bertrand, and Port-Louis.

Top 10 Activities & Things to Do

As I mentioned above, Grande-Terre is all about white sand beaches, sugarcane fields, coastal towns, and dramatic cliffsides. Here are the best things to do and see on the island!

1. Visit the Pointe des Châteaux Peninsula

sunrise over the Pointe des Chateaux craggy peninsula in Guadeloupe
  • cross on hill overlooking Caribbean sea
  • girl sitting on cliff overlooking Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Atlantic Ocean

Grande-Terre’s top attraction is the craggy peninsula located at the easternmost tip of the islands. With incredible rock formations, La Pointe des Châteaux is unlike other places to visit in Guadeloupe.

Its jagged, pointy rocks jut out of the Atlantic and a tall cross atop its hill dons panoramic views all around you.

In short, it’s one of the best things to do on Grande-Terre Island. You won’t be disappointed! Go early, preferably at sunrise, for an extra special experience.

Read more details in my Pointe des Châteaux hiking guide.

2. Lounge on Grande-Terre’s Beaches

  • palm trees and waves crashing on sandy beach in Saint-François Guadeloupe
  • white sand beach with turquoise water in Guadeloupe

No doubt you’ve already seen drool-worthy images of Grande-Terre’s long, white-sand beaches.

Indeed, there are plenty of beaches to discover on the main island, stretching from Le Gosier to Saint-François, up past Le Moule, and around the northern tip to Anse Bertrand, Port-Louis, and beyond.

Beaches to particularly take note of on Grande-Terre:

  • La Caravelle (Club Med beach)
  • Plage du Souffleur (Port-Louis)
  • La Datcha (Le Gosier)
  • Plage d’Îlet Gosier
  • Plage du Bourg Sainte-Anne
  • Petit-Havre Beach
  • Plage de Salines
  • Plage des Raisins Clairs (Saint-François)

Beware, the beaches just off the towns tend to be crowded—especially on weekends and at sunset!

3. Hike the Hell’s Gate Trail

  • green brush and view of Piton rock on Hell's Gate trail in Guadeloupe
  • woman sitting on edge of rock at Porte d'Enfer trail in Guadeloupe

If you enjoy hiking, you’ll love the Porte d’Enfer trail which hugs the cliffsides and Atlantic coastline. It offers incredible, jaw-dropping views of the ocean and cliffs iconic of North Grande-Terre.

You can do it round-trip in a couple of hours, or simply take 30 minutes to walk out to the first impressive hole at Trou de Madame Coco!

4. Grab Lunch on the Saint-François Marina

  • bag of coffee from Cafe Corail in saint francois guadeloupe
  • restaurants on the saint francois marina in guadeloupe
  • yachts in the saint francois marina in guadeloupe

Out of all the towns in Grande-Terre, Saint-François is the cutest and has the best places to eat.

The marina is lined with restaurants, ranging from brasseries to brunch cafés, and pizzerias to sushi shops. It has the nicest atmosphere as well, with views right on the marina and incoming boats. (It’s a lot calmer than the Bas-du-Fort Marina.)

For breakfast and brunch, you won’t want to miss grabbing a seat in the boho-chic, airy café called Café Corail. They are more than just a juice shop—enjoy organic and plant-based ingredients, locally sourced, that make for a hearty, healthy brunch. Think deluxe avocado toast-style with fresh fruit and salad!

5. Taste Artisanal Rum at Gwadinina Distillery

  • Creole woman holding bottle of artisanal rum made in Guadeloupe
  • Barrels of rum at Gwadinina Distillery near Saint Francois Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is famous for its rum and sugarcane fields. But don’t tour just any rum factory you find! Instead, spend the morning or afternoon visiting the family-owned rum distillery called Gwadinina.

They offer daily tours (cost €5 – lasts around 30 minutes) that walk you through the entire artisanal rum-making process, with the option to do a tasting of all their award-winning rums inside the shop. (€5)

You can find them located just 10-minutes outside of Saint François, en route to Le Moule.

6. Kayak to Gosier Islet Lighthouse

Woman in yellow bikini overlooking Caribbean ocean on Grande-Terre island in Guadeloupe

Just across from Le Gosier and the Datcha beach lies the Le Gosier Islet on which stands a beautiful white and red lighthouse, visible from the mainland.

You can reach the island in 15–20 minutes by the seat of your kayak (or water bike), and enjoy fresh lunch at the restaurant on the islet.

Kayak, SUP and canoe rentals (from Kaya’kool) are available right on Plage de la Datcha.

You can even rent a clear, glass-bottom kayak to see the underwater world beneath you as you go. Snorkel masks are included as well for snorkeling and swimming once you reach the islet. The rental cost for a half-day is €20 or €15 for 2hours.

🛶 Check out even more activities and tours in Guadeloupe.

7. Tour the Memorial ACTe (Slave Trade Museum)

The Memorial ACTe* is a contemporary museum showcasing historical exhibits of the Caribbean’s indigenous population and the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. If you’re breezing through Pointe-à-Pitre, you can’t miss it, even if it’s just to marvel at it from the outside.

*Currently closed due to the ongoing global health situation.

8. Enjoy Delicious Açaí at Sainte-Anne Beach

  • Açai shack beach bar at Sainte Anne Beach in Grande-Terre Guadeloupe
  • açai bowl on table with map of guadeloupe

On Sainte-Anne beach, you’ll find a colorful outdoor market and beachfront restaurants and cafes. Among them is the quaint Les Givrés shack offering delicious homemade açaí bowls with organic and local ingredients. (Add the organic cashew butter—you won’t regret it!)

One of the first places we visited in Grande-Terre was Sainte-Anne beach. It immediately invited us in, with its turquoise clear waters, sailboats, and palm-lined golden beach. Definitely carve out some time in your Guadeloupe itinerary to slow down and enjoy a frozen treat in Sainte-Anne!

9. Road Trip North Grande-Terre

  • Car window and view of coast on a road trip in Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe
  • Run down traditional creole windmill in Guadeloupe
  • viewpoint of Piton rock in ocean off coast of Grande-Terre Guadeloupe

One of the best things to do in Grande-Terre is to simply hop in your car and drive. As you go, you’ll be enamored with the changing landscapes.

While the southern coast features plenty of white sand beaches and calm, lapping Caribbean waves, the east, north, and western coastlines of Grande-Terre island feature dramatic, craggy cliffs with turbulent Atlantic wind and waves.

The contrast is quite amazing! It almost feels as if you are in the Caribbean one minute, and scampering around somewhere in the UK the next (except the weather’s much warmer year-round!).

Places to visit on an epic Grande-Terre island road trip:

  • The towns on the southern coast
  • Pointe des Châteaux peninsula
  • Le Moule — cute town with colorful Hôtel de Ville
  • La Porte d’Enfer Lagoon hike
  • Pointe de la Grande Vigie — northernmost point
  • Anse Bertrand community + public beach
  • Plage du Souffleur (Port Louis)
  • Lac de Gaschet
  • Anse du Canal & Les Marches des Esclaves
  • Kayak trip out to the Îlet Rat and Îlet Macou
  • Boat trip out to Îlet Fajou
  • The Hotel de Ville colorful building in Le Moule Guadeloupe
  • palm trees and white sand beach in Guadeloupe

10. Visit the Northernmost Point of Grande-Terre

Finally, on your road trip, don’t miss out on a journey to the northernmost point of Grande-Terre island at Pointe de la Grande Vigie.

Here, you can find a handful of hiking trails that don incredible panoramic views on the ocean and the surrounding islands! It’s definitely worth the drive out there (and isn’t too far even to do a round-trip on the same day).

  • Female hiker overlooking ocean off coast of North Grande-Terre Guadeloupe
  • Sentier Pointe Vigie Guadeloupe / Hiking trail of Pointe Grande Vigie in north Grande Terre, Guadeloupe

Overall, Grande-Terre is a beautiful island with plenty to do and see.

But, for me, it just doesn’t compare to lush Basse-Terre and its amazing natural gems like the Jacques Cousteau Reserve, Carbet Falls, or Les Saintes Islands.

If you have any questions about Grande-Terre, drop them in the comments below!

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By: Bri · In: Guadeloupe

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Complete Guide to Saint-François: Guadeloupe’s Sleepy Coastal Town

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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