Petite Terre Islands, Protected archipelago in Guadeloupe, France.
Two small islands, Terre de Bas and Terre de Haut, form this 1.68 square kilometer archipelago surrounded by 842 hectares of protected marine reserve.
The French authorities established the Petite Terre Islands as a national nature reserve in September 1998 to protect both terrestrial and marine environments.
Rangers monitor the islands throughout the year, ensuring the preservation of native species while educating visitors about the local ecosystem on Terre de Bas.
Visitors can reach the islands via catamaran or speedboat from Saint-François harbor, with journeys lasting between 60 to 90 minutes depending on vessel type.
The islands sustain a population of 9,500 Lesser Antillean iguanas and contain an endemic scorpion species found exclusively on Terre de Bas.
Location: La Désirade
Part of: Lesser Antilles, Guadeloupe
GPS coordinates: 16.17083,-61.11528
Latest update: November 20, 2025 17:01
Guadeloupe has many surprises beyond its main beaches and usual tourist sites. The archipelago hosts places where nature and history come together: waterfalls hidden in the rainforest such as Acomat in Pointe-Noire, spectacular geological formations like the Gullet Grand Gouffre in Marie-Galante where sea jets reach over ten meters high, or beaches with distinct features like Anse du Souffleur in Port-Louis with its calm, shallow waters, or Cluny Beach in Sainte-Rose lined with dark volcanic rocks. These lesser-known sites also tell the story of the archipelago. The Slave Trails in Petit-Canal, carved into stone in 1830, bear witness to the island’s painful past. Fort Fleur d'Épée in Gosier, built in the 18th century, offers views over the bay and preserves its old artillery pieces. The Historic Coffee Plantation in Vieux-Habitants showcases the stages of colonial coffee production with its historic water mill. On the natural side, Petite Terre Nature Reserve near La Désirade protects two islands where sea turtles and dozens of fish species live among coral reefs. These sites encourage discovering a different side of Guadeloupe, away from the typical routes.
Habitation Zévallos
25 km
Plage des Raisins Clairs
20 km
Plage des Raisins Clairs
19.7 km
Petite Terre Islands
648 m
Habitation le Maud'Huy
19 km
Anse à la Gourde
14.3 km
Petite Terre Islands National Nature Reserve
447 m
Station météorologique de La Désirade
21.8 km
La Désirade National Nature Reserve
22 km
Moulin de Chassaing
15.9 km
Église Notre-Dame du Bon-Secours de la Désirade
15.4 km
La Désirade Lighthouse
21.6 km
Plage de la douche
15.3 km
Plage de l'Anse des Rochers
21.9 km
Golf International de Saint-François
18.6 km
Plage d'Anse Tarare
13 km
Église Saint-François-d'Assise de Saint-François
19.2 km
Plage d'Anse Champagne
18.2 km
La Roche (bato)
10.5 km
Chapelle de la léproserie de Baie-Mahault
20.7 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Calvaire de la Désirade
16.4 km
Plage d'Anse à l'Eau
22.1 km
Plage d'Anse des Châteaux
10.7 km
Anse à la Baie
18.6 km
Plage à Fanfan
14.9 km
Plage du Mancellinier
17.6 km
Plage des Rouleaux
17.8 km
Plage à Fifi
15.5 kmReviews
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