Guadeloupe
Introduction
The Guadeloupe Islands of Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Désirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante
constitute an archipelago with outstanding underwater marvels. Wherever you are off the 150 miles coastline, you will always be able to discover a spectacular submarine world – all year round. Thanks to Guadeloupe’s crystal clear waters, visibility often exceeds 30 metres. An outstanding aquatic flora and fauna can be found: Elkhorn, soft and hard corals, sponges and gorgonians, sea fans, as well as reef fish (angelfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish …), but also moray eels, barracudas, turtles, rays, sharks, dolphins, and whales … Shallow reefs, underwater caves, ship or aircrafts wrecks, canyons, slopes and drop-offs down to more than 45 metres – there’s something for all levels of diver.
Dive Sites
Cousteau Marine Reserve
The west coast of Basse-Terre is steep sided and almost every headland would make a good starting point for a memorable diving experience. One of the most popular dive sites is the Cousteau
Marine Reserve located off The Pigeon Islets. This underwater reserve was made popular and named
after diving pioneer Commandant Jacques-Yves Cousteau, co director of the worldwide acclaimed
film “Le Monde du Silence.”
Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin
In the North, between the islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, you will find the natural reserve
of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin. With its barrier reefs, a wonderful lagoon, this very area, hosting the
18 miles great Coral Reef, is part of the UNESCO worldwide biosphere reserve.
Marie-Galante
Marie-Galante offers a vast choice of sites, ranging from 20 feet deep shipwrecks to 148 feet deep
slopes, providing the best of diving experience. During your stay, you can even join the Sea Turtles
Protection Programme.
Le Sec Pâté
Other top sites include the highly rated Le Sec Pâté, off Terre-de-Haut, Les Saintes. For the more
experienced divers, this site is a 40 feet deep row of underwater pinnacles, home of flocks of sea
fans, sponges and black corals.
Petite-Terre
Off La Désirade and the natural reserve of Petite-Terre, there are unexpected sites such as Les
Cathédrales, Les Dalles, Les Woches or La Grotte à requins. These sites will give you the opportunity
to spot, among others, stingrays and nurse sharks.
Facts
Language: French, Créole
Currency: Euro
Dive Season: All year round
Climate: Sub Tropical
Air Temperature: 23°-32°C (73°-90°F)
Water Temperature: 26°-27°C (78°-80°F)
Visibility: 16 – 20 Metres
Skill Level: Beginner – Professional
