An archipelago of French Caribbean islands shaped like a butterfly, in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles — famous for lush rainforest, volcanic peaks, Creole & French culture, and pristine beaches.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago of inhabited and uninhabited islands in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, in the southern Caribbean Sea. Its two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, are separated by a narrow channel called the Rivière Salée, giving the territory its famous butterfly shape. View map →
Guadeloupe is famous for its lush green rainforest and Soufrière volcano, its blend of Creole and French culture, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve national park, and a lively Carnival season running from January through Ash Wednesday. Read the full fact sheet →
Nationality: French · Size: 1,628 km² (629 sq mi) · an overseas department and region of France
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The Network Marine Tortoises of Guadeloupe also called RTMG was constituted in 1999 as a voluntary initiative in order to share the efforts and the data collected on the marine tortoises in Guadeloupe.
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Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, is a butterfly shaped island group in the southern Caribbean Sea. An excellent highway system facilitates getting around Guadeloupe by car, and boasts a network of hiking trails within the lush rain forest.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
Guadeloupe is often called the “Butterfly Island” because its two main islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, form wings separated by a narrow channel called the Rivière Salée.
Guadeloupe National Park, home to the Soufrière volcano and lush rainforest, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve prized for its diverse wildlife.
Guadeloupe's culture blends French, African, Indian and Caribbean influences — evident in its music, dance and cuisine, including dishes like Colombo and accras.
Antillean Creole is widely spoken alongside French, rooted in the island's diverse cultural history and central to daily Guadeloupean life.
Guadeloupe's lively Carnival runs every year from January through Ash Wednesday — parades, music, dancing and elaborate costumes.
Ranked by locals — the Guadeloupe essentials.
See the island before you go.
“La Marseillaise”
When Christopher Columbus visited in November 1493, Guadeloupe — then known as Karukera, “Island of Beautiful Waters” — was inhabited by Caribs who had driven out the original Arawak inhabitants. Columbus consecrated the territory to Our Lady of Guadalupe of Extremadura in Spain; the Caribs held their ground against Spanish troops and settlers in 1515, 1520 and 1523.
In 1626 the French trader Pierre Bélain, sieur d'Esnambuc, drove away the Spanish who had settled the coast. In 1635 Léonard de l'Olive and Jean Duplessis d'Ossonville landed and established a French colony, fighting the Carib Indians until 1640 as the colony kept growing. Slavery became institutionalized in 1644 to work sugar, coffee and other plantations. In 1674 Guadeloupe passed to the French crown and became a dependency of Martinique until 1775.
The island changed hands with Britain twice — occupied 1759–1763 and again 1794 and 1810–1816 — before being restored to France each time. Slavery was abolished for good in 1848. Guadeloupe became a French département in 1946 and a region of France in 1974. Today, as an overseas department and region under President Emmanuel Macron, Prefect Thierry Devimeux, and the presidents of its Departmental and Regional Councils, Guadeloupe's economy leans on tourism, agriculture (bananas, sugarcane and rum) and its status within the European Union.
A major destination on Grande-Terre's south edge — calm, clear water thanks to offshore sandbars, plenty of shade, and lively without being overcrowded.
On Grande-Terre's southwest coast near Gosier — a water sports center and hotel bar on site, shallow water and restrooms make it family- and snorkeling-friendly.
Undeveloped and peaceful, with plenty of palm-tree shade — a steep incline into the water and no restrooms, but great for surfing.
A protected reef on Grande-Terre's southwest edge near Gosier — snorkeler-friendly, quiet and not too touristy.
On Basse-Terre's north edge near Mahaut — a big beach that rarely feels crowded, excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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