• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Visiting the Northernmost Tip of Guadeloupe Islands — Pointe de la Grande Vigie

Last Updated: January 19, 2022 · Guadeloupe

Pointe de la Grande Vigie is the northernmost point of the Guadeloupe Islands that you can visit—and hike!

From atop these seaside clifftops, you can see the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, and Montserrat in the distance. The hike itself is easy and short but loaded with panoramic viewpoints.

I am a fan of bucket-list-worthy landmarks such as the Pointe de la Grande Vigie—a managed Biosphere Reserve comprising of eight forests in one. I have a tendency to venture to off-beat places, just like the time I adventured to the northernmost point of South America!

If you’re searching for amazing places to visit on Grande-Terre that are not yet on the touristy trail, then hop in your rental car and head north to the Pointe de la Grande Vigie. Read more below for getting there, trail details, nearby things to do, and more.

Table of Contents show
Guide: Pointe de la Grande Vigie
Getting to North Grande-Terre
Hiking Pointe de la Grande Vigie in Guadeloupe
Sentier Grande Vigie (Longer Hike)
Is the Drive Worth It?
More Nearby Pointe de la Grande Vigie

Guide: Pointe de la Grande Vigie

  • 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
  • viewpoint of Piton rock in ocean off coast of Grande-Terre Guadeloupe
  • male hiker overlooking Pointe Grande Terre on limestone cliffs in 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+

🚗 Rent a car in Guadeloupe from €17 on Discovercars.com

🏠 Slow down your travels by staying overnight in hotels near Grand Vigie, Grande-Terre

🎒 Pack and wear durable hiking sandals/shoes, sunscreen, and a rugged power bank

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

📸 Bring your best travel camera and drone gear for epic shots

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

☀️ Sunset is at 18:00 (6 PM), make sure to stop hiking at least 1 hour in advance

Getting to North Grande-Terre

To reach the northernmost tip of Grande Terre, Guadeloupe, make sure to rent a car in advance.

While the Kuralis buses do run from town to town along the coast (between PTP and Saint François), the schedule up north is far less reliable. It would also take forever to get there.

La Pointe de la Grande Vigie is located at the tip of Grande-Terre. Take Route de la Lebraire and follow it to N6, N8, and eventually D122.

From Pointe-à-Pitre:

  • 1 hour, 42km/26mi
  • Pass through Les Abymes, Morne à l’Eau, Anse-Bertrand

From Saint-François:

  • 1 hour, 46km/28.5mi
  • Take N5 to and beyond Le Moule
  • Follow D120 to D122, Rte de la Grande Vigie

Hiking Pointe de la Grande Vigie in Guadeloupe

Panoramic view from La Pointe Grande Vigie, the northernmost point of Guadeloupe islands
Viewpoint on the northeastern coast of Guadeloupe from Grande Vigie trail

The parking lot at Grande Vigie is spacious so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot (expect more crowds in the high season).

For now, there’s no entrance fee to loop around the Pointe de la Grande Vigie.

A few informative signs greet you at the entrance (a few stray kitties may be hanging around, too!). After this point, follow the marked pathway and boardwalk which eventually peters out onto a rocky, dirt trail.

Please Leave No Trace! It’s very important to not wander off the path (beyond the railing) as the risk of landslide is possible. Many visitors still pass the railings to get better photos, but the risk is too high.

Trampling off the path also hurts the native flora and fauna unique to this landscape on Grande-Terre.

🥾 In total, the loop hike around La Pointe de la Grande Vigie takes around 20–25 minutes. It’s fairly short and easy, doable even in flip-flops, but it’s better to have proper hiking sandals or closed-toed shoes as rocks are oddly sharp and jagged.

male hiker overlooking Pointe Grande Terre on limestone cliffs in Guadeloupe

From the right side of the trail, you can see panoramic viewpoints of the Pointe du Piton rock (separated from the mainland) and the coastline.

On the left side of the trail, you can see the coast down to Anse-Bertrand. If you look directly in front of you, on a clear day, you can see Antigua and Barbuda. Off to the northwest is the island of Monserrat.

Sentier Grande Vigie (Longer Hike)

  • Trail sign for Sentier Grande Vigie Nord Grande Terre
    Trailhead sign
  • Sentier Pointe Vigie Guadeloupe / Hiking trail of Pointe Grande Vigie in north Grande Terre, Guadeloupe
    Grande Vigie trail

If you’d like to take your adventures a step further, you can also follow the limestone cliffs from the Pointe Grande Vigie down the coast to Anse Laborde.

This hike is suitable for longer day trips, as it takes 8.2km round-trip (5 miles). We didn’t do this hike because of time constraints, but I imagine it’s gorgeous! If you go, don’t forget to pack plenty of water and wear high SPF sunscreen!

On this hike, you’ll get to see the biodiversity of the protected forests. The strong winds and sun make stunt vegetation height, but not growth; there are at least 240 species of cacti, such as the raquette, and other shrubs and trees in the Grande Vigie Biosphere Reserve that make a nice home for marine birds.

Is the Drive Worth It?

viewpoint of Piton rock in Northe Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe
View of Piton rock on our drive up North Grande-Terre!

Is driving up to the north of Grande Terre worth it? I always find these types of questions (and responses) interesting because, like anywhere, it’s a chance to see nature and witness the majesty of the earth—it’s always worth it!

Sure, is it comparable to Pointe des Châteaux that juts out of the southern peninsula of Grande Terre? Maybe, maybe not. It’s different. The plant life is different, the landscape is different. And that all makes it worth it, in my opinion!

More Nearby Pointe de la Grande Vigie

Plage de la Caravelle Beach in North Grande-Terre Guadeloupe at sunset
Plage de la Caravelle

While you’re up here, definitely take time to check out these other beautiful spots in North Grande-Terre!

  • Le Moule — cute town with a colorful Hôtel de Ville
  • La Porte d’Enfer Lagoon hike
  • Anse Bertrand community
  • Plage de la Caravelle
  • Plage du Souffleur (Port Louis)

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them below. Make sure to check out more travel guides to Guadeloupe to help plan your trip! 🌞

gallery images of north Grande-Terre Guadeloupe with text overlay, "Hiking Grande Vigie Guadeloupe Islands"

By: Bri · In: Guadeloupe

you’ll also love

view of the Terre de Haut island bay with sailboats and red roofed Creole housesOne Day Itinerary Exploring Terre de Haut – Les Saintes Islands
1st Carbet Falls framed by rainforest tropical plantsChasing Waterfalls: Hiking to Les Chutes du Carbet
Female hiker on the Sentier de l'Acomat trail in Basse-Terre island in Guadeloupe CaribbeanBasse-Terre Island: Diving, Waterfalls, & Volcano Hikes

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

How We Travel Full-Time With Our Cat

Primary Sidebar

hello!

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!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

puerto vallarta old town romantic and hotel zone

9 Most Charming Boutique Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

colorful arts and textile at market in Panajachel in Lake Atitlan Guatemala

Top 10 Things to Do in Panajachel – The Gateway Town to Lake Atitlán

Nepalese Chicken Curry Recipe

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

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
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • Blog Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

3 shares