Boat Rentals in Guadeloupe
A dream boat rental location, Guadeloupe is a
luscious archipelago of sun-kissed islands,
spectacular sandy beaches and
majestic jungle-wreathed hills, which offers the ideal setting for a family adventure or romantic couple's getaway. The butterfly-shaped island consists of dense green forest, sparkling coastal vistas, waterfalls and national parkland, with a bustling marina lifestyle offering gourmet food, shopping and a casino. You can rent a boat to anchor in gorgeous hidden bays as you
island-hop southern Guadeloupe through
Petite Terre,
Les Saintes and
La Desirade. Choose from a wealth of spectacular vessels here from ports in
Bas-du-Fort or
Saint-Francois.
The best way to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of this resplendent region is by boat, unveiling its secluded beaches, bays and coves. Consisting of a mainland comprised of two large islands perfect for circumnavigating in and of themselves, boat charters for a week also offer unique opportunities to explore tiny offshore islands and islets containing some of the Caribbean's most beautiful sights.
Guadeloupe, a beautiful island in the Caribbean, is an overseas department of France. With sparkling waters, clad in fields of sugar cane and tropical jungles, explore the most voluptuous of the islands in the French West Indies by boat.
How much does it cost to hire a boat in Guadeloupe?
There are a wide range of boats available to charter in Guadeloupe, from motorboats to luxurious catamarans, making Guadeloupe a sailor's dream come true. The price of boat rentals in Guadeloupe can
vary greatly depending on a number of different factors, such as the
number of people, the
duration of your trip, and the
type of boat.
Catamaran rental in Guadeloupe, you should expect prices to start at around
$4356 per week in high season, while
in low season, these prices will drop to around
$2882 per week.
Sailing boat rentals will start at
$400 a day and
$2803 a week in high season, but these prices dip to around
$191 a day and
$1335 a week in low season.
For
trimaran hire prices, you should expect to pay from around
$5945 per week in high season and around
$4792 per week in low season.
Motorboat and
RIB prices tend to remain fairly
consistent all year round.
Motorboat charter prices usually start at about
$207 per day and
$1452 per week, while
RIB rental prices typically start at
$267 per day and
$1868 per week.
Is it possible to find a bareboat charter in Guadeloupe?
Yes,
it is possible to rent a boat both with and without a skipper in Guadeloupe, but you need to
check out the laws regarding whether or not you need a boating license. For
boats with an engine of 6 horsepower or more, you will
need a license and there may also be
additional rules regarding the size of the boat.
Boat rental in Guadeloupe without a skipper is perfect for you if you’re an experienced sailor who is already competent at handling boats as it allows you to explore the island at your leisure. However if you haven’t sailed before, or simply want a more relaxing holiday, you’d be better off renting with a skipper who can guide the boat around this idyllic island while you relax.
What are the weather and sailing conditions like in Guadeloupe?
Guadeloupe is a favourite of Caribbean sailors, owing to its
beautiful year-round weather and a
good mix of sailing conditions to suit all abilities. As with other areas of the Caribbean, you may want to
avoid Guadeloupe between August and September, as this is the
hurricane season. Outside of this window, the sailing conditions are perfect with enthralling line-of-site navigation between islands. Experienced sailors have enough of a challenge to whet their appetite, while beginners should stick to renting a boat with a skipper, so as to avoid the pitfalls of traversing coral reefs amid changing winds.
The
temperature in Guadeloupe doesn’t really tend to vary that much between the months and generally stays between 70 and 88°F (21.1-31.1°C), rarely exceeding 91°F (32.8°C) or dipping below 66°F (18.9°C). The
water temperature is usually reasonably good for swimming all year round. It is at its
warmest in September, when it is 84°F (28.9°C) and the
coldest water temperatures are recorded
in February, when the temperature is usually around 79°F (26.1°C).
There is also
rainfall throughout the year in Guadeloupe, but the
rainiest month is October with an average of 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) of rainfall, and the
driest month is March, with 0.7 inches (1.78 cm) of rainfall on average.
The
wind in Guadeloupe is
fantastic for sailing all year round. The
windiest month is July, with an average wind speed of 16.6 mph (14.4 knots), and the
calmest month is October, with an average wind speed of 12.5 mph (10.9 knots).
When is the best time to go to Guadeloupe for a boat charter?
This really depends on the weather that you prefer and which activities you want to participate in whilst there. For example,
if you want to go swimming and snorkeling, it is probably best to
go in September when water temperatures are around 84°F (28.9°C). The
only drawback of going during this month is that
September falls in Guadeloupe’s official hurricane season.
If you don’t like rain, you should probably also
avoid October, which sees the majority of the year’s rainfall.
Peak season in the Caribbean runs
from December until April and if you want the
best weather, you should probably book your boat charter during these months. However, as a result of the good weather, you can also expect
more crowds and
higher prices on boats during these months, so it
may be better to book a boat rental
in May or June when there are
fewer people and
lower prices.
What are the most popular ports/sailing areas in Guadeloupe?
There are so many amazing ports and sailing areas in Guadeloupe, that it can be difficult to narrow it down to just a short list. Below are some top picks:
This area is at the northern end of Basse-Terre island and is actually a small fishing village. Fast becoming a popular waterfront dining destination, Deshaies also offers great snorkeling opportunities. On the southern side of the bay, there is even a coral reef where you can swim with turtles, sea snakes and tropical fish.
- Malendure, Reserve Cousteau
If this name sounds familiar, that’s because it is named after Jacques Cousteau, a pioneer of scuba diving and underwater exploration! This area is a marine reserve park next to Ilet Pigeon, a completely uninhabited island, which has lots of restaurants and bars on the beach. If you like scuba diving, there are even some shipwrecks in this area for you to explore.
Pointe-à-Pitre is the largest marina on the island and is the perfect place to stock up on supplies, having a local market nearby, as well as most of the amenities you could ever need. There is also an interesting museum not far from Pointe-à-Pitre, where you can learn about the history of the island. There aren’t any mooring buoys here but there is almost always space in the marina.
Le Gosier is a tourist beach town with many places to eat if you fancy going ashore, as well as a long, sandy beach which is ideal for relaxing and working on your tan. There is plenty of space to anchor here, but generally you should do so to the west of the beach where it’s calmer.
Bourg Des Saintes is located about 10km south of the main island of Guadeloupe and consists of two main islands (Terre-de-haut and Terre-de-Basse), as well as several smaller islands. There are around 3000 inhabitants between the two main islands.
Pain De Sucre, on Terre-de-Haut, is a fantastic place to take your boat charter if you like snorkeling or diving. Pain de Sucre rock at this island has been named one of the best places to snorkel or dive in the Caribbean.
Ilet A Cabrit is another great place in Bourg Des Saintes for swimming and snorkeling as it is well protected from the swell. If you don’t mind a bit of a trek, there is an old building at the highest peak on the island which is well worth a visit. This building has been many things over the years, including a fort, a jail, and a discotheque and is now a great place to have some wine and snacks.
Pointe A Negre on Terre-De-Basse, is another fantastic swimming and snorkeling location, and has even been dubbed Turtle Bay because of the opportunities to swim with the bay’s resident turtles. This is another small fishing village, but there are fewer people here than on Terre-De-Haut and the locals are very friendly.
Other anchorages and ports on and around the island include:
- Saint Francois
- Riviere
- Sainte Rose
- Marie-Galante
- Grande Terre
- La Desirade
What to do when you rent a boat in Guadeloupe?
There are many things to do on Guadeloupe, so naturally there will be activities that suit everyone. While, renting a boat in this idyllic French Indies island, travellers can
island-hop some of the
most beautiful nature reserves and coastal bays in the world. The paradisaical islands of
Fajou and
Caret in the north and
Terre-de-Haut in the south hold idyllic volcanic sandy beaches, while
La Désirade and the uninhabited
Petite Terre Islands in the east provide stunning backdrops for quiet afternoons. Other islands you can visit include
Terre-de-Basse and
Marie-Galante.
The region also offers tranquil lagoons and snorkelling with dolphins and turtles from many of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, including Grande Anse, Sainte Anne, and Souffleur beach. While in Guadeloupe, you should definitely visit the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve, which offers you the opportunity to see the underwater world at its finest, with many different species of fish, underwater statues and much more.
If you fancy spending a little time on land, you also have many magnificent options. Maybe you want to visit the Guadeloupe National Park, where there are plenty of hiking trails to suit your desires. You can trek up La Soufriere Volcano or even visit Carbet falls, Guadeloupe’s very own waterfall. Alternatively, you can feed the rainbow lorikeets and admire a large number of colourful plants and birds at the Jardin Botanique de Deshaies, or take in the brilliant views at La Pointe des Chateaux.
One thing’s for sure, you won’t get bored sailing in Guadeloupe!
How to get to Guadeloupe
This little French paradise in the Caribbean is
accessible year-round with flights in and out of
Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport. Several international airlines, including Air France, Air Canada and Air Belgium, provide direct flights, with Air Antilles offering domestic and regional travel throughout the Caribbean. Just some of the destinations from which you can get a
direct flight include
Finland,
Italy,
France,
Ireland, and many cities across
the UK, including
London,
Bristol,
Manchester,
Nottingham, and
Durham. With picturesque waterfalls, mountain vistas and coastal port towns offering the freshest fish, Guadeloupe is an evocative boat charter destination which offers both vibrancy and seclusion in equal measure. From historic ports to world-class surfing, snorkelling and diving, Guadeloupe is one of the top sailing destinations in the world.