Guadeloupe Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Guadeloupe’s compact archipelago and varied dependencies make it one of the finest island-hopping cruising grounds in the Caribbean. Every major destination – Les Saintes, Marie-Galante, the Cousteau Reserve, Petite-Terre – lies within three hours’ sailing of the main marina at Bas-du-Fort. The itineraries below are designed to be combined: a guest booking the 3-day and 4-day routes can stitch them together into a comprehensive 7-day circuit covering the full archipelago without repeating a single anchorage. Every itinerary is fully customisable – your Boatcrowd charter specialist and onboard captain will tailor stops, pacing and activities to your group’s interests and the conditions on the day.

Day Charter Routes

Cousteau Reserve and Basse-Terre’s West Coast

Depart Marina Bas-du-Fort mid-morning and cruise west through the Rivière Salée channel, then south along Basse-Terre’s Caribbean coast to the Pigeon Islands – roughly 15 nautical miles, about an hour’s cruise. Moor at a designated buoy in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve and spend the morning snorkelling or diving the Coral Garden: brain coral, staghorn and elkhorn formations in three metres of water, sloping to the bronze bust of Cousteau himself at 12 metres. Your chef serves lunch on the aft deck with the volcanic peaks of Basse-Terre rising behind you. In the afternoon, cruise north to Deshaies – a colourful fishing village with botanical gardens and waterfront restaurants. Return via the coast in the golden late-afternoon light.

Îlet à Gosier and the South Coast

Cruise south from Bas-du-Fort to Îlet à Gosier – a tiny islet just offshore with turquoise water and white sand. Spend the morning snorkelling the reef and swimming in calm, shallow water. Your crew sets up shade and cold drinks on the sand. After lunch on the aft deck, continue east along Grande-Terre’s south coast towards Sainte-Anne – one of the most beautiful beach towns in the French Caribbean, with white-sand bays and excellent swimming. Return to the marina by late afternoon.

Petite-Terre Nature Reserve

Set course south-east from Bas-du-Fort to Petite-Terre – roughly 12 nautical miles, about 45 minutes. Anchor offshore these two tiny protected islets and slip into the turquoise lagoon for a morning of snorkelling among rays, lemon sharks, sea turtles and colourful reef fish. Visitor numbers are strictly limited, so the experience feels genuinely wild. Your chef serves lunch on the aft deck. Return via Pointe des Châteaux, Grande-Terre’s dramatic eastern tip, for panoramic views of the archipelago before cruising back to the marina.

Multi-Day Itineraries

3-Day Guadeloupe Yacht Charter Itinerary: Les Saintes and the Cousteau Reserve

Day 1: Bas-du-Fort to Les Saintes

Board your yacht at Marina Bas-du-Fort by mid-morning. After a welcome briefing and champagne toast on the flybridge, cruise south through the Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin and into open water towards Les Saintes – roughly 20 nautical miles, about two hours. Arrive at Terre-de-Haut by early afternoon and pick up a mooring in the sheltered bay of Bourg des Saintes. Spend the afternoon exploring the village: pastel-painted houses, cobblestone lanes and the 15-minute walk up to Fort Napoléon for panoramic views from 114 metres. Dinner aboard at anchor, with the lights of Terre-de-Haut reflected in calm water, or tender ashore to a harbourside restaurant for Creole seafood.

Day 2: Pain de Sucre, Snorkelling and Cousteau Reserve

Rise early and tender to Pain de Sucre beach before the day-trippers arrive. Spend the morning snorkelling the rocky seabed on either side of the beach: sea turtles, tropical fish, sea fans and sponges in crystal-clear water. Return to the yacht for a leisurely brunch. In the early afternoon, cruise north to Basse-Terre’s west coast and the Pigeon Islands – roughly 15 nautical miles from Les Saintes, about an hour. Moor in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve for an afternoon dive or snorkel: the Coral Garden, the Cousteau bust at 12 metres, and the colourful walls of Pointe Malendure. Overnight at a mooring off Bouillante or Deshaies.

Day 3: Deshaies and Return

Spend the morning at Deshaies – Basse-Terre’s most charming fishing village. Walk to the botanical gardens (formerly the estate of comedian Coluche), browse the colourful waterfront, and provision treats from the local bakeries. Your chef prepares a farewell lunch on the aft deck as the yacht cruises south along Basse-Terre’s Caribbean coast, past the Carbet Falls (visible from the water) and the volcanic peaks of the national park. Return to Marina Bas-du-Fort by mid-afternoon.

4-Day Guadeloupe Yacht Charter Itinerary: Marie-Galante, Petite-Terre and the East Coast

Day 1: Bas-du-Fort to Marie-Galante

Depart Marina Bas-du-Fort mid-morning and set course south-east for Marie-Galante – 20 nautical miles, roughly an hour at cruising speed. Arrive at the island’s western coast by midday and anchor off one of its white-sand beaches. Spend the afternoon ashore: visit Bonne Mère rum distillery (founded 1863, 10,000 oak ageing barrels), explore the 19th-century windmill ruins scattered across the sugar-cane landscape, and taste vintage rhum agricole at the source. Dinner aboard at anchor, or tender ashore for a Creole meal in Grand-Bourg.

Day 2: Marie-Galante Beaches and La Désirade

Spend the morning swimming and snorkelling off Marie-Galante’s north coast – white sand, turquoise water and virtually no other yachts. Visit Père Labat or Bellevue distillery for a second rum tasting. After lunch on the aft deck, cruise north-east to La Désirade – approximately 37 nautical miles, about two hours. Anchor off this quiet island for an afternoon of turtle swimming and uncrowded beach time. La Désirade is also the best base for humpback whale watching during the February–May season. Overnight at anchor.

Day 3: Petite-Terre and Pointe des Châteaux

Cruise south-west from La Désirade to Petite-Terre – roughly 15 nautical miles, about an hour. Anchor offshore these protected islets and snorkel the turquoise lagoon: rays, lemon sharks, sea turtles and colourful reef fish in crystal-clear shallow water. Strictly limited visitor numbers make this one of the most pristine snorkelling experiences in the Caribbean. After lunch, cruise west to Pointe des Châteaux – Grande-Terre’s dramatic eastern headland. Anchor in a sheltered bay and tender ashore for the short walk to the cross at the summit, with panoramic views across the archipelago. Overnight at anchor off Saint-François.

Day 4: Saint-François, Îlet à Gosier and Return

Spend the morning at Saint-François – Grande-Terre’s most elegant resort town. Lunch at Le Zagaya’s lagoon-view terrace (fresh lobster, Creole seafood). After lunch, cruise west to Îlet à Gosier for a final snorkel in turquoise water, then continue to Marina Bas-du-Fort – arriving by mid-afternoon. Time for a farewell stroll through Pointe-à-Pitre’s market or a last rum punch at Le Yacht Club.

Guests looking for a longer voyage can combine the 3-day Les Saintes–Cousteau route with the 4-day Marie-Galante–Petite-Terre circuit for a comprehensive 7-day charter covering the entire Guadeloupe archipelago – from the volcanic peaks of Basse-Terre to the rum distilleries of Marie-Galante, the whale-watching waters of La Désirade, and the protected lagoon of Petite-Terre – without repeating a single anchorage.