Water sports in Guadeloupe

The tranquil water of Guadeloupe and awesome facilities presents very good opportunities for water sports. From swimming to snorkelling and from deep sea-fishing to diving, you can try your hands at all the activites that are adventurous and fun-filled at the same time.

Swimming
On the western side of Grande-Terre, Port Louis is the most popular swimming spot. It has open sandy beach that attracts weekend crowds. On Basse-Terre, the best beaches are along the northern side of the island just north of Deshaies. The prominent ones are the Grande Anse beach with its expansive golden sands and Plage de Tillet, which is a beautiful secluded cove.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Blue marlin, wahoo (known locally as thazar), and yellow-fin tuna can be fished throughout the year. The season for dorado is from December through March. The hotels usually recommend a deep-sea outfitter or two, but one of the island's most consistently reliable is Capitaine Valère, who moors his 11m (38-ft) Bertram in the Bas du Fort Marina in Gosier. A full-day deep-sea fishing expedition for up to four fishermen at a time inclusive of a picnic lunch and all equipment costs around 715€.

Windsurfing Guadeloupe has good windsurfing facilities from October to May at Le Moule, Port Louis and Anse Bertrand. From June through August, same can be availed at Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Petit-Havre.

If you want an intensive immersion in the sport, consider enrolling for a week-long course at the Union Nationale des Centres de Sportifs, 97118 St-François. The cost for the seven day long course will be around 390€ to 490€ per person including 7-day lodging with double occupancy, all meals and drinks. Lodgings are within simple bungalows with ceiling fans, each built in 1986, arranged around a swimming pool and dining hall with a beautiful beachfront view. However, they lack in amenities such as television, telephone, air-conditioning etc. On the premises, in addition to windsurfing equipment, -- are extensive facilities for the teaching and enjoyment of golf and sailing.

Snorkeling and diving

The country has many first-rate snorkeling and diving sites. Guadeloupe's top diving site is the Réserve Cousteau at Pigeon Island off the western coast of Basse-Terre. Ilet du Gosier, which can be reached by boat from Gosier on Grande-Terre, is a snorkeler's dream. Spear fishing has long been banned and consequently the island's waters are teeming with fish, sponges, sea fans and corals.<