About Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is a French overseas territory and island group, part of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea. From above, the two main islands of Basse-Terre and Grand-Terre give the appearance of a butterfly, whilst boasting a mix of quirky beach towns and luxury tourist resorts. The smaller islands of La Desirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante, found just offshore from the main islands, have their own unique character and stunning landscapes, too. In Guadeloupe, take your pick from exploring an incredible national park, relaxing on secluded beaches, hiking a volcano or learning about the world-renowned rum production in one of the distilleries; it truly is one of the most diverse regions in the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is well served by ferry, with ports on both Grand-Terre and Basse-Terre offering frequent routes to and from the majority of the surrounding islands, operated by a couple of ferry companies.

About Marie Galante Island

Marie Galante is a Caribbean island within the Guadeloupe archipelago, roughly twenty five kilometres south of the main island. Stumbled upon by Columbus in 1493, who named it after his flagship, ‘the Marigalante’, this circular landmass has retained a deserted tropical paradise feel, given the lack of touristy crowds on its glorious beaches. The iconic 18th Century Chateau Murat, just outside the capital, Grand-Bourg, showcases the island’s lavish history while offering stunning hilltop views of Guadeloupe. With ten beautiful stretches of sand to choose from, Marie-Galante also has one of the best kitesurfing spots in the Caribbean. The Guadeloupian islands are relatively close-knit, so it’s easy to hop between them by ferry. A couple of crossings are made each week from Saint Francois on the mainland to Saint Louis on Marie-Galante’s west coast.