Nature of Guadeloupe - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Guadeloupe looks like a butterfly from high above. Its two main islands, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, look like wings, and the international airport and the biggest city in the country, Pointe-à-Pitre, are located in the middle. Even though the name Grande-Terre translates as “the Big Land”, this island is smaller than Basse-Terre. Grande-Terre is big in comparison to two small islands situated nearby. Basse-Terre, which translates as “Low ground”, mostly has mountain terrain with a 1,500 m dominant – Soufrière Volcano, which is the highest mountain peak. Grande-Terre is the real “lowland” in Guadeloupe.

Tourists become confused when they compare these two islands and their names, but first sailors in this region didn’t look at the islands from high above. They were sailing mostly from the Atlantic and were looking at the islands from east to west. They first saw small islands, then a big island (Grande-Terre) and then, downstream, one more island – Basse-Terre. If looking at the islands from this angle, their names become understandable. If you decide to enjoy backpacking in Guadeloupe, consider yourself a lucky person as this is a true paradise for an eco-tourist. Basse-Terre is the best destination for backpacking. The two main islands are very different, just like two parts of different continents, and it is very interesting to see them in comparison.

Grande-Terre is a lowland island with its east side facing the Atlantic. Winds are strong here, so it is usually not clouded. The local terrain is great for golf courses; there are countless sugarcane plantations, numerous beaches with almost mandatory sunny weather, the majority of hotels, and the most popular resort cities. Sun is intensive in spacious lowlands, and the wind is always strong on the east coast. In the north-west, in Morne à l`Eau, consider making an unforgettable kayak ride to mangrove forests and Canyon Aqua Rando. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Basse-Terre is a completely different island. It has lush flora, botanic gardens, nature reserves with giant flowers, and incredibly attractive trees. Tropical forests are dominant on this island, and Soufrière Volcano creates a unique local microclimate that is humid and cool. When the sun shines brightly on the beach island, it can be misty and even rainy on Basse-Terre. When going upwards, it can become cold, so you will need a warm sweater or even a jacket.

There are three falls that form a cascade in the Carbet River. The fantastic landmark attracts roughly 400,000 visitors every year. The middle waterfall, which height is 110m, is the most popular, so there are always excursion groups near it. It is not easy to reach the first and third waterfalls, so only experienced tourists see them. Only physically advanced travelers can walk on long trails to these landmarks. Of course, it is impossible to get to these landmarks alone, so you will need a guide. Some guides prove that it is possible to move like Tarzan by jumping from one liana to another. They can even teach you to do that if you also want to become a Tarzan.

Local botanic gardens usually have work hours, but tropical forests are always open for visitors. There are specially marked hiking trails for tourists. They are added to the map, so tourists can explore them without a guide. The total length of these trails is several hundred kilometers. There is no need to be scared of large predators because there are none on the island. The biggest local animal, the raccoon, is the emblem of the national park. There are mosquitos and other insects, so don’t forget a repellent.

Not all beaches in Guadeloupe look the same. One of the most beautiful, Grande Anse, is located not on the beach island but on the tropical one. It is very interesting to explore local beaches, moreover, some of them have white sand and some – volcanic. Divers from all over the world dream of visiting the Jacques-Yves Cousteau Park. This resort is formed around the Pigeon Islands where Cousteau filmed famous “The Silent World”, his first film about the beauty of the ocean, in the middle of the 20th century. This film made the world curious about diving, and so scuba diving has become one of the most popular activities. There is a Cousteau monument in the middle of the “coral flowerbed”. Visitors can see this monument only if they put on the equipment and go underwater.

The islands got their current name from Columbus who chose the title after Virgin Mary de Guadalupe. The islands had another name for centuries before Columbus – Karukéra, which means “the island of beautiful water”. Indeed, many modern tourists arrive in Guadeloupe to see its beautiful water. There are mountain lakes, several dozens of hot spring, waterfalls of a different size, flood jungles, and coral lagoons. Thanks to its unique nature, Guadeloupe is an important French biosphere reserve.