Hidden spots in Guadeloupe: Unknown places to visit

This site is notable for its large crack in the rock. When the waves surge in, water gushes out in high jets several meters tall, like a natural geyser. The water pressure can force seawater up to 10 meters high.

The Anse du Souffleur offers a sand beach protected by a natural bay. The waters remain shallow for several yards, which makes swimming easier and renders this location particularly suitable for families with children.

At the eastern tip of Grande-Terre, this peninsula offers a striking view of where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea. There is a charming small lighthouse and trails along the cliffs.

Les Marches des Esclaves is a stone staircase dating from 1830 that connects the port to the town center of Petit-Canal. The steps were carved and assembled from stone by enslaved people. This staircase now serves as a memorial site, recalling the history of slavery on the island.

This reserve includes two small protected islands. It hosts coral reefs, turtles, and dozens of species of tropical fish.

This waterfall plunges about fifteen meters into a basin surrounded by bamboo and heliconias. It is a popular spot for swimming after a walk to reach it.

Pearl Beach extends along the northwest coast of Basse-Terre and offers fine gray sand of volcanic origin. Coconut palms provide shade along the shoreline. The calm waters allow safe swimming for families. The beach is located near the Botanical Garden of Deshaies and remains undiscovered by many visitors. In the late afternoon, the horizon over the Caribbean Sea takes on various shades of orange.

Fort Fleur d'Épée dates back to the 18th century and stands above the bay of Le Gosier. The fortification houses historical cannons and offers views of the nearby islands and the Caribbean Sea. The fort once served to defend the coast against attacks from the sea.

This historic coffee plantation is a colonial estate in Vieux-Habitants that features a working water mill. The facility documents traditional coffee production methods and presents all steps from bean harvest to roasting. Visitors can tour the historic buildings and follow the complete production process.

Plage de Cluny extends over 800 meters along the coastline and is bordered by black volcanic rocks. The sea presents strong currents here that make swimming dangerous and require particular caution.

These Basse-Terre Petroglyphs comprise 230 symbols carved into stone by Arawak peoples before the arrival of Europeans in 1492. The archaeological site is located within the Parc des Roches Gravées in Trois-Rivières, surrounded by dense tropical rainforest. The rock carvings depict geometric patterns, human figures, and animal representations that held religious and ceremonial significance. A designated trail guides visitors through the vegetation to the main engraved stones.

Gosier Island extends approximately 100 meters in width off the coast of Le Gosier. A functional lighthouse dating from 1890 marks this small island, which is surrounded by white sand. The shallow water between the island and the mainland allows wading or swimming across when the sea is calm.

Crayfish Waterfall is located in Guadeloupe National Park and can be reached via a short trail from the parking area. The water drops 10 meters into a round basin carved from volcanic rock, surrounded by tropical vegetation. The river is home to three species of freshwater crayfish that give this natural site its name. The cool water offers a refreshing spot for swimming on warm days.

The Parc des Roches Gravées presents 23 rock engravings created by pre-Columbian peoples of the Caribbean. These petroglyphic representations depict human and animal figures as well as geometric patterns, testifying to the cultural presence of the Arawak and Carib peoples on the island. The archaeological trail winds through a botanical garden featuring native plant species and allows observation of these historical testimonies from different periods of settlement.

Pointe de la Grande Vigie marks the northernmost tip of Grande-Terre and rises with its limestone cliffs to approximately 80 meters above sea level. From this viewpoint, visitors can spot the silhouettes of the neighboring islands of Antigua and Montserrat on the horizon on clear days.

This cascade in Guadeloupe National Park falls over three tiers across a height of 25 meters. The water collects in several natural pools surrounded by tropical vegetation, suitable for swimming.

The Piton de Sainte-Rose is a former volcanic cone with marked trails through its vegetation. The path crosses lava formations and reaches a viewpoint overlooking the coast and the sea.

Anse à la Barque served as an anchorage for pirates in the 17th century. This coastal section features dark volcanic sand and is lined with palm trees. The bay is located on the west coast of Basse-Terre and offers a quiet beach away from the main tourist routes.

The Dolé Gourbeyre Thermal Baths are fed by forest springs with a constant water temperature of 32 degrees Celsius. The water contains numerous volcanic minerals originating from the surrounding rock. These natural pools are located within tropical vegetation at the foot of the Basse-Terre mountains.

Îlet Caret is a sandbar located between mangrove forests in the sea. The coral reef beneath provides habitat for numerous coral species and tropical fish. This small island is accessible only by boat and attracts visitors who wish to snorkel and explore the underwater environment.

Fort Napoléon was built in the 19th century on a hill overlooking the bay of Terre-de-Haut. This fortification offers panoramic views of the Saintes Islands and now houses a historical museum documenting the military and maritime past of the region. The exhibition displays weapons, uniforms, maps and objects from the colonial period. The fort's garden presents a collection of cacti and other tropical plant species adapted to the Caribbean climate.

Plage de l'Anse Laborde is a white sand beach lined with coconut palms. Trade winds blow regularly here, creating favorable conditions for windsurfers. The sea is often animated, and the cove remains free from major tourist development.

The cemetery of Morne-à-l'Eau features Creole tombs in black and white arranged in a checkerboard pattern. This site documents the traditional burial rites of the local population and serves as evidence of Guadeloupean Creole culture. The graves extend across a hillside and provide insight into the religious practices and social history of the region.

Habitation Murat is a former sugarcane estate on Marie-Galante that now serves as a museum. The property houses a restored 19th century sugar mill along with several historical buildings that provide insights into the colonial era and sugar production. Visitors can walk through the grounds and learn about the plantation economy and the lives of the people who lived there.

Anse Bertrand Beach is located on the northern coast of the island in a small fishing village. The village hosts a market where local producers sell their regional products. This coast has black sand of volcanic origin. The waves and winds create conditions that attract surfers. The community maintains its maritime tradition through fishing activities.

Îlet à Cabrit Island is uninhabited and contains the ruins of a French military fort from the 19th century. Walking trails cross the terrain and lead through native vegetation to different areas of the historical site.

The Carbet Waterfalls are located in the Guadeloupe National Park and comprise three falls with heights of 110, 85 and 20 meters. These waterfalls lie on the La Soufrière volcano and are accessible via marked hiking trails that lead to various observation points. Access to the first two falls requires a hike through the tropical rainforest.

Anse à la Gourde Beach stretches along the eastern coast of Grande-Terre with its fine white sand and offshore coral reefs. Nearby sits an archaeological site displaying objects and remains from Caribbean populations predating European arrival. These excavations document the life of indigenous communities who inhabited this coastal region centuries ago.

Trou de Madame Coco is a natural freshwater pool set in the mountain forest near Deshaies. The basin receives water from streams flowing down from the surrounding hills. Banana plants and mango trees grow along the approach to the pool. Visitors can swim in the cool water and explore the forested setting.

The Vieux-Fort Lighthouse was constructed in 1880 from stone and rises 21 meters above the southern coast of Guadeloupe. This structure serves as a navigation aid for vessels traveling through the Caribbean Sea. The construction marks a strategic point along the coastline and supports maritime safety in this region.

La Porte d'Enfer is a coastal formation on the northern shore of Grande-Terre, bordered by limestone cliffs that rise approximately 30 meters above sea level. This natural site faces the Atlantic Ocean, where strong currents create distinct water movements through the narrow passage. The geological structure of the cliffs and the ocean dynamics produce the varied blue hues visible in the waters below.

Grande Anse du Petit Havre extends 200 meters along the coastline with fine white sand and shade-providing coconut palms. An offshore coral reef creates calm conditions for swimming and forms a natural bay. The beach sits away from main routes and receives considerably fewer visitors than the beaches in central Le Gosier.