Guadeloupe September holidays

Festivals and events in Guadeloupe in September

September is a quiet month for events and festivals. However, there are daily markets to enjoy in Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre, Le Gosier, Saint Anne and Saint-François. Stock up on local arts and crafts, take home some Guadeloupean spices and sample the local street food. Most markets are held in the morning, but several towns have special night markets on Thursday or Friday evenings.

Starting in France in September, the unique Mini Transat is a solo sailing race across the Atlantic. The 4050 nautical mile race sees racers on the smallest offshore racing boats (only 6.5m long) sail all the way to Saint-François in Guadeloupe, with a stopover in Santa Cruz de La Palma, the westernmost island of the Canary Islands. The event lasts about 2 months, finishing in November.

Top places to visit in Guadeloupe in September

During the height of the rainy season, why not seize the opportunity to learn about Guadeloupean culture with a trip to Musee du Rhum in Sainte-Rose, visit Mémorial ACTe museum in Pointe-à-Pitre, or learn more about Guadeloupe's ecosystem at the Aquarium de la Guadeloupe in Gosier. Humidity is high in September, so you will want to avoid sports and other vigorous activities.

During a rainy spell, take cover on a restaurant terrace overlooking the beach. Kick back, relax, order a rum cocktail and sample the delicious French Caribbean cuisine. Our favourite restaurants with a view are Couleurs du monde in Terre-de-Haut, Le Zagaya in Saint-François, Sun 7 Beach in Grand-Bourg, Dantana Café in Plage De La Feuillere.

What’s the weather like in Guadeloupe in September?

In September, Guadeloupe has an average temperature of 28°C, with highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C. It is during hurricane season, so there is 16-19 days of rainfall on average, but these are brief, heavy downpours that clear to make way for beaming hot sunshine. August and September's hurricane season make it a poor choice for a holiday. If you choose to go ahead with a holiday in September, be prepared for frequent showers and watch out for hurricane alerts.

What to pack for a holiday in Guadeloupe in September

General packing tips for September:

• Pack light clothing, swimwear and shoes suited to a summer holiday.
• Smart-casual outfits for the evening
• Bring a light raincoat or small umbrella for downpours and a jumper or cardigan for the cooler evenings.
• Don’t forget sun cream, sunglasses and a hat for protection from the sun.
• Strong bug spray and after-bite remedy.
• Travel plug adapter.
• Prescription medicines.
• Tote bag for shopping and a plastic bag for muddy shoes.
• Hiking shoes if you plan on visiting the rainforest and volcano in Basse-Terre.
• Waterproof shoes for swimming in waterfalls.
• Extra layers for hiking to higher altitudes
• If you wish to snorkel from the beach, bring your own snorkelling equipment. Wear a rash vest to avoid sunburn.