A French department in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe seems to attract most of the tourists coming to the region. It does not only have stunning beaches and warm waters but also beautiful colonial style and rugged jungle outback. It really is a gorgeous destination for yacht charter.
General info
With its shores washed by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Guadeloupe archipelago provides a perfect setting for the sailing holiday of your dreams. This country is actually a French department that is located in the Eastern Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico. It’s also known as Butterfly Island.
The first European to land here was Christopher Columbus back in 1493 and he was the one who gave it the name of Santa Maria de Guadalupe de Extremadura. After the settling of the island in 1635 by the Company of the American Islands, fighting between the French and the British ensued for centuries over who got the lucrative sugar trade. Rum distilleries still provide most of the industry here and are a major attraction for visitors on a yacht charter.
The Guadeloupe archipelago is made up of the islands of Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre (both separated by Salt River, actually a narrow sea), La Desirade, Les Saintes and Marie Galante. On your boat rental you can admire the wild volcanic relief on Basse-Terre or the hilly landscape on the island Grande-Terre.
Some of the most important cities and attractions for visitors on a yacht charter in Gouadeloupe are Pointe-a-Pitre, the financial capital of the country, Gosier, renowned for its nightlife, St. Francois, St. Anne with its fantastic beaches, Morne á l’eau and Anse Bertrand. Also a very popular spot are the amazing jungle waterfalls in Basse-Terre, some more accessible than others, but all worthwhile and breathtakingly beautiful.
Law & Order
Being a French department, the law system in Guadeloupe is pretty much the same as the one in France. There aren’t that many restrictions and the rules for yacht charter are even simpler since there are no permits required to sail a pleasure boat. The only exception to that rule is for boats with motors over 6 hp (4.5 kW).
As far as entry in the country goes, there’s nothing out of the ordinary. Except maybe that French citizens don’t need a passport to get into Guadeloupe, just a valid ID card and a birth certificate. For the other nationalities, a valid passport and a copy of the return ticket will be required at customs services.
Some of the stricter rules apply to fishing in Caribbean waters, so sailors who brought their rods and tackle better watch out. There are some protected species such as lobsters, white sea urchins, sea turtles and conches that have certain “no capture” periods. Just make sure to check with the local port authority before casting your line. There’s also a quota (3 fish per person) for most fish species, the only exception to that rule being a fishing competition. Nets and other traps are also prohibited, as is fishing at night with artificial lights.