Guadeloupe's beaches: the ones locals actually go to, island by island
No postcard top 10 here: these are the beaches we go to on a Sunday with the cool box, the kids and the snorkelling masks. For each one, what really matters, from the water quality measured in 2026 to shade and currents.
Contents
- Grande-Terre: where are the calm lagoon beaches for a Sunday swim?
- Basse-Terre: where to find golden, grey and black sand beaches?
- Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade: which beaches to go to on the islands?
- Which beach in Guadeloupe is best with children?
- Where is swimming banned or not advised in Guadeloupe in 2026?
- What should you check before you put your towel down?
A beach in Guadeloupe isn’t necessarily the one on the postcards. On Sundays, local families head to Babin, Anse Maurice (an anse is a cove) or Petit-Havre, set the cool box down under a carbet (an open-sided wooden shelter) and spend the day in the water. Here are those everyday beaches, island by island, with what matters: the water quality measured in 2026, shade, calm water for little ones, and the best spots for a mask and snorkel.
Grande-Terre: where are the calm lagoon beaches for a Sunday swim?
Grande-Terre is lagoon country: the reef breaks the swell, the water stays shallow and the sand is white.
Which beaches do locals go to in Le Gosier?
Petit-Havre, between Le Gosier and Sainte-Anne, is the family beach: white sand, easy swimming, worth bringing your mask. Water graded excellent in 2026. Saint-Félix, under the coconut palms, stays away from the tourist beaches, with calm water. It isn’t monitored by the ARS, so it has no grade.
La Datcha is the town beach: a calm lagoon behind the reef, restaurants a stone’s throw away, and it’s lit at night. Water graded good in 2026. Opposite, you can reach the îlet du Gosier (Gosier islet) by shuttle boat, kayak or paddleboard, for its lagoon and the snorkelling.
Bas-du-Fort, Anse Dumont and Pointe de la Verdure also have excellent water. At La Verdure, you get in by a footpath near the casino, shade is scarce and the sunloungers are reserved for hotel guests: bring your own parasol. At Anse Vinaigri, a small beach sheltered by a line of cayes (rocky reef flats), watch out for sea urchins as you get into the water.
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Plage de Petit-Havre
White sand beach between Le Gosier and Sainte-Anne, popular with families for swimming and snorkelling.
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Plage de Saint-Félix
Le Gosier beach lined with coconut palms, with calm water, away from the most touristy beaches.
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Plage de la Datcha
Le Gosier's town beach, lit at night, facing the îlet du Gosier; calm lagoon protected by the reef, restaurants nearby.
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Îlet du Gosier
Islet with a lighthouse opposite the town centre, served by a shuttle boat from the beach. Snorkelling on the reefs around it; mooring is now organised as a ZMEL (organised mooring area).
Where are the shallow lagoons in Sainte-Anne and Saint-François?
In Sainte-Anne, Bois Jolan is the go-to beach for little ones: very shallow water, white sand, paddleboarding and kayaking. The town beach (plage du bourg) has a shallow lagoon behind the reef, with sunloungers to rent, and restaurants and the market next door. La Caravelle is partly taken up by Club Med, but public access is maintained: a calm lagoon and a windsurfing and kitesurfing spot. All three have water graded excellent in 2026.
Gros Sable, at Le Helleux, is for surfers: pebbles, little shade, black sea urchins, and sargassum is possible.
In Saint-François, Raisins Clairs is shaded, with food trucks and car parks nearby. On the road to Pointe des Châteaux, Anse à la Gourde, an Amerindian archaeological site, is sheltered by a coral reef. Just before the point, Grande Anse des Salines stretches between the sea and a salt marsh, behind a reef; the banks of the salt pond are off limits from 1 April to 15 August (nesting season). Excellent water in 2026 for all three, but on this road, car parks and swimming are not supervised.
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Plage de Bois Jolan
Sainte-Anne beach with very shallow water and white sand, popular with families and for paddleboarding or kayaking.
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Plage du bourg de Sainte-Anne
Sainte-Anne's iconic town beach, a shallow lagoon protected by the reef; sunloungers for rent, restaurants and market nearby.
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Plage de la Caravelle
Fine-sand beach at the entrance to Sainte-Anne, partly taken up by Club Med but open to the public; calm lagoon and windsurfing/kitesurfing spot.
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Anse à la Gourde
White sand beach sheltered by a coral reef on the road to Pointe des Châteaux, also an Amerindian archaeological site.
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Plage des Raisins Clairs
Shaded beach at the entrance to Saint-François, with clear water; food trucks and car parks nearby.
Which beaches do locals go to in northern Grande-Terre: Le Moule, Morne-à-l’Eau, Petit-Canal, Port-Louis, Anse-Bertrand?
In Le Moule, l’Autre Bord ticks every box for a family day out: coral reef, carbets, toilets, shady spots, a few minutes from the centre. Excellent water in 2026, as at Les Dauphins. The bay of Le Moule (la baie du Moule), in the town centre, is graded sufficient.
Babin, in Morne-à-l’Eau, is the neighbourhood beach par excellence: grass rather than sand, a calm sea, carbets, and that grey mud some people smear on themselves. Excellent water. In Petit-Canal, Anse Maurice is very popular with families at weekends: white sand, reef, shady carbets, excellent water. Get there early.
In Port-Louis, Le Souffleur is a family favourite: white sand, seafront restaurants, playgrounds, excellent water.
In Anse-Bertrand, La Porte d’Enfer is a calm lagoon between the cliffs, with carbets and a car park. Wear shoes, as the rocks are sharp, and be wary of the mouth of the lagoon when the wind is strong. No 2026 grade, because not enough samples were taken. La Chapelle has a coral reef, playgrounds and excellent water. Anse Laborde is perfect for a picnic, with excellent water, but the current is strong in places.
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Plage de l'Autre Bord
Le Moule beach protected by a coral reef, with carbets (open-sided shelters), toilets and shady areas, a few minutes from the centre.
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Plage de Babin
Grassy Morne-à-l'Eau beach beside a calm sea, with carbets; known for its grey mud that some visitors smear on themselves.
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Plage du Souffleur (Port-Louis)
White sand beach in Port-Louis popular with families; seafront restaurants and playgrounds nearby.
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Plage de la Porte d'Enfer (Anse-Bertrand)
Calm lagoon framed by limestone cliffs, suitable for families; starting point of the cliff trail to the Trou du Souffleur.
Basse-Terre: where to find golden, grey and black sand beaches?
Fewer lagoons, more character: sheltered coves on the Côte-sous-le-Vent (the leeward coast), golden sand in the north, black sand in the south.
What are the beaches like on the Côte-sous-le-Vent: Bouillante, Vieux-Habitants, Pointe-Noire?
Malendure, in Bouillante: grey volcanic sand facing the îlets Pigeon (Pigeon islets), the starting point for kayaking, snorkelling and diving trips to the Cousteau reserve, with turtles often around. Allow about 20 minutes by kayak to the islets. Water graded sufficient in 2026. Quieter, Petite-Anse (Bouillante), between rocks and greenery, is good for snorkelling, with water graded good.
In Vieux-Habitants, Rocroy has the most facilities: pebbles and black sand, toilets, showers, four carbets with tables, a large car park, excellent water. Simaho, near the town centre, has calm water and shady carbets.
In Pointe-Noire, Petite-Anse (Baillargent) is a sheltered cove, reached by a lane off the RN2 road: calm swimming, snorkelling, sometimes turtles, excellent water.
Which beaches are best in Deshaies and Sainte-Rose, in the north of Basse-Terre?
In Deshaies, Grande Anse is one of the busiest beaches on Basse-Terre, with excellent water. For a quieter Sunday, La Perle, facing the Tête à l’Anglais, is sheltered by a coral reef and ideal for snorkelling (excellent). Le Petit Bas-Vent, behind a natural barrier, usually has a calm sea. Avoid swimming at Le Grand Bas-Vent, where the sea is often rough.
In Sainte-Rose, Clugny is shaded and faces the îlet Kahouanne, with excellent water, but the current is sometimes strong. Les Amandiers has facilities (carbets, toilets, showers, car park) and excellent water, but no coral reef: take care. Anse des Îles, with few facilities, is the picnic spot for local families, with excellent water; keep an eye on the currents.
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Plage de Malendure
Grey volcanic sand beach facing the îlets Pigeon, the starting point for diving, kayaking and snorkelling trips to the Cousteau reserve; turtles often around.
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Plage de Grande Anse (Deshaies)
Long golden sand beach lined with coconut palms north of Deshaies town, one of the busiest on Basse-Terre.
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Plage de la Perle
Golden sand beach sheltered by a coral reef, good for swimming and snorkelling, facing the Tête à l'Anglais.
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Plage du Petit Bas-Vent
Small beach sheltered by a natural barrier, usually a calm sea, near the Fort Royal hotel.
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Plage de Clugny
Shaded blond sand beach north of Sainte-Rose, looking out to the îlet Kahouanne. Currents sometimes strong: take care when swimming.
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Plage de Grande Anse (Trois-Rivières)
Long black-sand beach facing Les Saintes, popular with surfers and bodyboarders, and a turtle nesting site. Swimming not recommended. The beach is protected by a biotope order (no. 97-677 of 30 June 1997) for turtle nesting: no fires or lights at night, no dogs within 40 m of the shore, no motor vehicles. At sea, fishing is banned (total chlordecone zone, order no. 2013-057).
Where can you find a black sand beach in Guadeloupe?
In the south of Basse-Terre. Grande Anse in Trois-Rivières, facing Les Saintes, is the most beautiful to look at: carbets, picnic tables, a car park, and a turtle nesting site. But swimming there is not advised (strong currents, unpredictable breakers). The same goes for Bananier, in Capesterre-Belle-Eau, a surfing and bodyboarding beach.
To swim on black sand, go to Rivière-Sens, in Gourbeyre: showers, toilets, a volleyball court, excellent water in 2026. The seabed drops off quickly, so keep little ones close to you. Over in Vieux-Habitants, Rocroy and Simaho mix black sand and pebbles.
On the east coast, Roseau, in Capesterre-Belle-Eau, is a long beach under the coconut palms, divided by jetties into shallow pools: excellent water.
Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade: which beaches to go to on the islands?
Where to swim on Marie-Galante?
In Saint-Louis, Anse Canot is a cove sheltered by cliffs, about 4.5 km from the town: calm sea, snorkelling on the right-hand side, excellent water. Moustique hides behind the vegetation along the coast road: shade, snorkelling, water graded good. Le Vieux-Fort, in the north, has shady carbets and the mangrove for kayaking, with excellent water, but sometimes strong currents and rocks.
North of Grand-Bourg, Folle Anse has shallow, excellent water; hawksbill turtles nest there from June to September. In Capesterre, La Feuillère is a fine-sand lagoon with restaurants and carbets, excellent water and a kitesurfing spot. Anse Feuillard has to be earned: 15 to 20 minutes along a footpath. Stay inside the lagoon, as the currents are dangerous beyond the reef.
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Anse Canot
Cove sheltered by cliffs about 4.5 km from Saint-Louis, calm sea; good snorkelling on the right-hand side of the cove.
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Plage de Moustique
Low-key Saint-Louis beach hidden by vegetation along the coast road; swimming, snorkelling, shady spots.
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Plage du Vieux-Fort (Marie-Galante)
Beach with shady carbets in the north of Marie-Galante, near the mangrove (kayak, pedalo) and the Vieux-Fort trail.
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Plage de Folle Anse
White sand beach with shallow water north of Grand-Bourg; hawksbill turtles nest here from June to September.
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Plage de la Feuillère
Lagoon lined with fine sand and palm trees in Capesterre, a kitesurfing and windsurfing spot; restaurants and carbets on site.
Where to swim on Les Saintes?
On Terre-de-Haut, you can walk to Pompierre from the town: a calm lagoon at the far end of a bay closed to boats, carbets, iguanas and goats, excellent water. Anse Rodrigue is about twenty minutes’ walk away via the airstrip, and Anse du Figuier is shady and often calm: both excellent. Anse Crawen, at the end of a footpath, has no facilities but a rich seabed (sea fans, green turtles); naturism is no longer allowed there. The îlet à Cabrit, 15 minutes away by boat, offers calm beaches and snorkelling.
On Terre-de-Bas, swimming is not advised at Grande Anse because of the currents.
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Plage de Pompierre
Protected bay: boats may not enter or anchor there.
Terre-de-Haut beach at the far end of a bay forming a calm lagoon, on foot from the town; carbets, iguanas and goats. Boats banned in the bay.
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Plage d'Anse Crawen
Isolated grey sand beach reached by a footpath, with no facilities; rich seabed (sea fans, starfish, green turtles).
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Îlet à Cabrit
Islet closing off the bay of Les Saintes, opposite the village of Terre-de-Haut. Dives around it (Pointe à Cabrit) and mooring on permanent moorings.
Which beaches are on La Désirade, and can you visit Petite-Terre?
When you get off the boat at Beauséjour, Plage à Fifi is a 5-minute walk away: a calm lagoon suited to children, excellent water. Le Souffleur, calm and shallow, can be reached by bus (excellent). La Petite Rivière, behind the coral reef, is the family beach, with carbets and a restaurant.
The Petite-Terre islets are a nature reserve: you can only go with an authorised operator, the number of visitors per day is limited and the islet of Terre-de-Haut (not to be confused with the one in Les Saintes) is closed to the public. Check the current rules with the reserve’s managers.
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Plage de la Petite Rivière
Family beach protected by a coral reef, in the Baie-Mahault area, with carbets and a restaurant on site.
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Îlets de Petite-Terre
Nature reserve: go with an authorised operator, the number of visitors per day is limited, and the islet of Terre-de-Haut is closed to the public.
Two uninhabited islets off La Désirade, the largest iguana population in the Lesser Antilles. Lagoon with turtles, rays and lemon sharks. Visit on an approved trip.
Which beach in Guadeloupe is best with children?
What you’re looking for: shallow water, no waves, a bit of shade. The calm or family beaches, with their 2026 grade:
- Bois Jolan (Sainte-Anne): very shallow water, excellent.
- Sainte-Anne town beach: shallow lagoon behind the reef, excellent.
- Roseau (Capesterre-Belle-Eau): shallow pools between the jetties, excellent.
- Le Souffleur (Port-Louis) and La Chapelle (Anse-Bertrand): playgrounds nearby, excellent water.
- Babin (Morne-à-l’Eau): calm sea and carbets, excellent.
- Pompierre (Terre-de-Haut): calm lagoon, excellent.
- Plage à Fifi and Petite Rivière (La Désirade): a calm lagoon at the first, a coral reef at the second.
Where is swimming banned or not advised in Guadeloupe in 2026?
These beaches are listed so that you don’t go into the water there. ARS bans can be temporary: check the beach’s page before you go.
| Beach | Municipality | Reason | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anse à Sable | Bouillante | Swimming ban reported in the 2026 data | ARS, health monitoring |
| Fond Curé | Terre-de-Haut | Swimming ban reported in the 2026 data | ARS, health monitoring |
| Anse Tabarin | Le Gosier | Contradictory: ban for bacteriological contamination reported without a date, but water graded sufficient by the ARS in 2026 | Tourist board and ARS |
| Grande Anse | Trois-Rivières | Swimming not advised: strong currents, unpredictable breakers | Tourist board |
| Bananier | Capesterre-Belle-Eau | Swimming not advised: strong currents, powerful waves | Tourist board |
| Grande Anse | Terre-de-Bas | Swimming not advised: sea currents | Tourist board |
At Anse Tabarin, where the shuttles to the îlet du Gosier leave from, we’re not taking sides: check the signs on site and the ARS page before getting into the water.
Which islets in Guadeloupe can’t you land on?
- Îlet Caret (Sainte-Rose): landing banned since 2023, excursions included, by a municipal arrêté (official order) maintained at least until 30 June 2026. Check with the town hall (mairie). No anchoring: moor on the buoys of zone no. 6.
- Îlet Blanc (Sainte-Rose): closed every year for tern nesting (from 15 April to 30 September in 2026); landing and approaching within 100 m are banned.
- Îlet Kahouanne (Deshaies): landing banned; enjoy the seabed from the boat.
- Îlet à Fajou (Morne-à-l’Eau): nature reserve, landing banned without authorisation.
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Îlet Caret
Landing banned by a Sainte-Rose municipal order, kept in force at least until 30 June 2026: check with the town hall before you go. Anchoring banned: moor on the buoys of mooring area no. 6.
Sandbank of ~4000 m² in the National Park's adjacent marine area, owned by the Conservatoire du littoral (the coastal protection agency) and managed by Sainte-Rose. You stay in the water: coming alongside and setting foot on the islet are banned.
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Îlet Blanc
Closed every year during the bird nesting season (from 15 April to 30 September in 2026): landing and approaching closer than 100 m are banned.
Sandbank in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, closed every year for the terns (2026: from 15 April to 30 September). Outside that period, access is regulated; anchoring is always banned.
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Îlet Kahouanne
Landing on the islet is banned: enjoy the seabed from the boat.
Wild islet ~1.5 km north-west of Deshaies, a refuge for turtles and seabirds (frigatebirds, terns, pelicans). Explore it from a boat, without coming alongside.
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Îlet à Fajou
The largest islet in the lagoon, covered in mangrove and a turtle nesting site; mooring on Park buoys only, no going ashore.
What should you check before you put your towel down?
Check the grade, then look at the sea. Water graded excellent by the health monitoring tells you nothing about the day’s current. Without a coral reef, as at Les Amandiers, the sea can pull hard.
Sargassum. Strandings are possible, for example at Pointe de la Saline (Le Gosier), Anse Maurice or Gros Sable. If the seaweed is there, change beaches rather than settling down next to it.
Unsupervised swimming. Don’t count on a lifeguard post: on the Pointe des Châteaux road, car parks and swimming are officially unsupervised. Swim with others, stay in the lagoon and don’t go beyond the coral reef.
Leave nothing behind. Nothing visible in the car, and nothing on the sand when you leave: bottles, cigarette butts and picnic leftovers go home with you. On nesting beaches, such as Grande Anse in Trois-Rivières or Folle Anse, keep your distance from the turtles.
Sea urchins and rocks. At Anse Vinaigri, Gros Sable or La Porte d’Enfer, wear water shoes.
All these beaches are on the beach map (in French). Next, read our sea guide or the one on waterfalls and river pools.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach in Guadeloupe is best for children?
Aim for the shallow lagoons protected by the reef: Bois Jolan and the town beach in Sainte-Anne, Roseau in Capesterre-Belle-Eau (shallow pools between the jetties) or Plage à Fifi on La Désirade. All four have water graded 'excellent' by the 2026 health monitoring.
Where can you find a black sand beach in Guadeloupe?
In the south of Basse-Terre. Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre is graded 'excellent' in 2026, but the seabed drops off quickly. Grande Anse in Trois-Rivières and Bananier in Capesterre-Belle-Eau are superb, but swimming there is not advised because of the currents and waves.
How can you check the water quality of a beach in Guadeloupe?
Look at the official bathing-water monitoring website (baignades.sante.gouv.fr, in French). Every beach monitored by the ARS (the regional health agency) has its own page there, with its grade for the season (excellent, good, sufficient or not classified) and any bans.
Can you swim at Anse Tabarin in Le Gosier?
The information is contradictory. The tourist board reports swimming as banned because of bacteriological contamination, without a date, whereas the ARS grades the site 'sufficient' for the 2026 season. If in doubt, check on site and on the health monitoring website before getting into the water.
Can you land on îlet Caret?
No. Landing there has been banned since 2023, including for excursions, and the Sainte-Rose municipal order (arrêté) remains in force at least until 30 June 2026. Check with the town hall before you go.
Sources
This guide is based on these sources, checked in October 2026. Rules change: check them again before you go.
- Bathing-water health monitoring (ARS), 2026 season: Sainte-Anne town beach (in French)
- Bathing-water health monitoring (ARS), 2026 season: Anse à Sable, Bouillante (in French)
- Bathing-water health monitoring (ARS), 2026 season: Fond Curé, Terre-de-Haut (in French)
- Bathing-water health monitoring (ARS), 2026 season: Tabarin, Le Gosier (in French)
- Îles de Guadeloupe (tourist board): Anse Tabarin beach (in French)
- Îles de Guadeloupe (tourist board): Grande Anse beach, Trois-Rivières (in French)
- Îles de Guadeloupe (tourist board): îlet Caret (in French)
- Guadeloupe National Park: annual closure of îlet Blanc (in French)
- Guadeloupe National Park (Geotrek): Pointe des Châteaux trail (in French)
