Room 1
Best Beaches in Basse Terre
The mountainous island of Basse Terre is bordered by stunning beaches in shades of white, gold, black and pink. Discover beaches to suit every type of beach-goer, from untouched bays to watersport havens to peaceful waters, ideal for families with young children. This postcard-perfect tropical island has emerald waters, soft sands, long days of sunshine and plenty of things to do.
Boasting a mile-long stretch of golden sand, Grand Anse is one of Guadeloupe finest beaches. Located on the North Coast of Basse Terre, this majestic beach sits at the foot of the lush verdant mountains and is a magical spot to watch the sunset. Wait till you read about the rest! Here are Basse Terre’s best beaches for your sun-soaked Caribbean bucket list.
Beaches in Basse Terre
Malendure Beach, Bouillante
Not all Caribbean beaches have white-gold sands, and Malendure is a case in point. Here the sands are a volcanic black sand, looking out to the Pigeon islands. Excellent for snorkelers and divers, the waters are fabulously clear – and you also have the incredible islets to explore.
Petit Anse Beach, Bouillante
Rocks, pebbles and light sand make up the Petit Anse, a beach of warm, deep blue waters with great opportunity of snorkelers.
Anse Thomas Beach, Bouillante
A pebbled beach, popular with swimmers. The main attractions are the natural hot springs at foot of the cove – enjoy them in the evening when the sunsets are ridiculously pretty.
Plage de Bananier, Capesterre-Belle-Eau
Surfy Banana Beach has the only beach break around, creating forgiving waves for beginners and hours of fun for body-boarders. Black sands, coconut trees and a rocky edge make the scene wild and beautiful.
Plage de l'Anse La Perle, Deshaies
In Deshaies, on one side of Plage de l’Anse Rifflet, Anse la Perle played home to the Detective Inspector’s beach house in the TV series Death in Paradise. It’s a lovely long stretch of golden sand (perfect for beach walks), dotted with beach restaurants run by local families. A coral reef protects the waters – the waves can pick up a bit near the shore (great for watersports) though it’s calmer further out for swimmers. Trees provide shade on the sand, while mountains and mangroves make up the surroundings.
Grande Anse Beach, Deshaies
Thought to be one of the best beaches in Guadeloupe, and the biggest too at over a kilometre long. Grande Anse’s bright golden sands, palm trees and hilly backdrop - not to mention its reputation for incredible sunsets - make it a must-visit beach if you’re in the area.
Petite Anse Beach, Deshaies
As the name suggests, this is a pintsized bay between Deshaies and Pointe Noire that comes complete with light sands, palm trees and a diving centre.
Plage des Amandiers, Sainte-Rose
Named ‘Almond beach’ after the almond trees along the golden sand. Not one for swimming due to the rough sea conditions, but a cracking spot for lunch with picnic tables and lots of shade from the trees.
Plage de Clugny, Sainte-Rose
If Grand Anse beach is too busy, head up the coast to Clugny (sometimes spelt Cluny) - a big beach with pink-beige sand and clear waters, looking out to the Tete a l’Anglais and Kahouanne islets. The water conditions don’t lend themselves to swimmers, but you can often see locals' bodyboarding in the waves.
