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A multitude of activities to enjoy as a family

With the waters of the caribbean and the tropical rainforest,  guadeloupe is the ideal destination for children  to enjoy a wide range of activities.

Children aged 2 to 3 years

The crystal-clear shallow water at the beach of Sainte-Anne is, without a doubt, the best place for toddlers to splash around while their parents live the dream.

Tropical plants and flowers, multicolored birds and pink flamingos… the Botanical Gardens of Deshaies are a sight to behold! The visit is perfectly suitable for young children in strollers.

A trip by boat to the Nature Reserve of the Bay of Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin is well worth the effort. You will discover the mangroves and explore the seabed. This lagoon of 15,000 hectares is home to a unique fauna of sea birds, fish, turtles and shellfish… As well as around fifty species of coral and over 150 species of mollusks that are found in this open-air aquarium!

Children aged 4 to 10 years

When it’s too hot outside, they will enjoy a visit to Gosier Aquarium. There are around fifty tanks displaying the local ecosystems. The Aquarium recently added a touch tank where visitors learn the respectful way to approach some of the marine species. It is also equipped with the latest technology, providing a fun, interactive exploration of the marine world.

An introduction to scuba diving is possible, at the Cousteau reserve for example… from the age of 8! A children’s dream.

Kids absolutely must visit the zoo at Les Mamelles. The zoo covers 4 hectares of tropical rainforest and houses 85 Caribbean species of wildlife. Children will jump for joy and squeal with delight at the sight of parrots, monkeys, the big cats and the rhino beetle, one of the biggest insects in the world!

For fun in the water, we highly recommend the waterslides at Valombreuse gardens in Petit-Bourg.

Nearby, the Cascade aux Ecrevisses (Crayfish waterfall) is easy to reach. If the children are well-behaved, treat them to a picnic and let them take a dip!

Individually or in groups, exploring new horizons by canoe-kayak is a fun activity to be enjoyed in full autonomy!

Children aged 11 to 17 years

For board-sport enthusiasts in search of a thrill, surfing is a physical activity that can be tried from the age of 8. It is a glorious feeling to ride your first wave!

Moving from branch to branch, crossing rope bridges, overcoming a fear of heights… The treetop adventure trail “Le Tapeur” at Pointe-Noire promises an educational afternoon filled with fun and laughter.

Looking for an unusual way to celebrate a birthday? Why not hire a donut-shaped boat (no license needed) with its own onboard barbecue? Go to the turquoise lagoon of Saint-François for a festive excursion like no other.

All you need are a mask, snorkel and flippers, and there are numerous snorkeling sites in Guadeloupe. Who will find the most beautiful fish? We highly recommend a trip to Petite-Terre, to see the turtles, young lemon sharks, angel fish, barracudas, etc.

Try to keep your balance as you paddle along in a standing position on a paddleboard. The first to fall loses! Excursions available from Vieux-Bourg and Morne-à-l’Eau.

Want to take to the sea or just learn to maneuver the sail with friends and experience the thrill of tacking? There are several sailing schools all over the Guadeloupe islands. A real pirate’s holiday!

Faustine François

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Hiking in the tropical rainforest

Adrien Ballanger

Dominated by the volcano, the Basse-Terre part of the “Butterfly island”, corresponding to the butterfly’s left wing, offers some incredible tropical landscapes and an outstanding biodiversity. With cascades, waterfalls and rivers, the National Park abounds with hiking trails waiting to be explored, with or without a guide.

 

Adrien Ballanger

Is there ever a more magical moment than that when the mind and body wander off the beaten track? Oh and the state of joy you feel, after walking uphill for miles to admire a view that takes your breath away! After climbing to the top of the Soufrière volcano, at an elevation of 1,467 meters, you are rewarded with a 360-degree view over the islands of Guadeloupe. The paths, some well-marked, others more discreet, take you to contemplate this stunning panorama, as well as the incredible sight of sulfur vapors rising from the craters. For this opportunity, you need the weather on your side, as the summit is often trapped in cloud. Remember to check the weather forecast before you set out in the morning.

 

Adrien Ballanger

For a different, incredible experience, walk amid tropical surroundings to the Matouba fall. This short hike takes you across a banana plantation and down a steep path to Saint-Louis river. Here, the plant world unleashes its full force and the biodiversity is exceptional. Our guide explains why the roots of the trees are visible; it is because they cannot grow through the rock. To survive, they help each other to keep their balance, intertwining to remain upright: strength lies in unity. Further along, we find treelike ferns, kinds of parasols that already existed when dinosaurs walked the earth. More than 260 varieties of ferns have been listed. We learn that the begonia can be eaten raw or cooked, and that the waterwood tree provides solid timber that is used to make furniture, particularly kitchen cupboards, as it is resistant to water. The flower with a little white tail is edible. It is known as “rat’s tail” and has a peppery taste. Our guide is a mine of information. When we reach the bottom, we follow the riverbed upstream to a pool which is fed by a little waterfall. The rigid volcanic rocks take center stage, very impressive! Here, we must keep an eye on the rainfall and surrounding terrain. A good way of checking is to pile three small flat rocks on top of an immersed stone. If the water level rises, they will disappear under water. Also, be wary if the ground is too dry.

 

Adrien Ballanger

For those who struggle with slopes, the hike to the blue pool is an easy one. It starts on a marked route and continues on a fairly wide path. When the sky is free from cloud, you can see the Soufrière massif. The white gum tree can be recognized by the presence of a white paste, which is used as natural incense. En route, we observe installations that supply the town of Gourbeyre with fresh water. All the way along, there are pools which can be reached with the use of ropes and where it is possible to swim. Once you arrive, you can relax and try to distinguish the song of the bananaquit and other species of birds that inhabit this heavenly place.

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Swing at Saint-François golf course

The 18-hole Saint-François International golf course covers 60 hectares, and promises an unforgettable golfing experience. Pure enjoyment for amateurs and professionals alike.

Photo : Adrien Ballanger

Location

Nestling at the heart of the beach resort, the entire golf course is surrounded by coconut trees, royal palms and luxury Creole villas. Designed by architect Robert Trent Jones Sr, the course offers great variety in terms of both visual pleasure and golfing technique. These facilities provide every possible service for the comfort of golfers. The “Birdy” restaurant and the Pro Shop are attractive features which add to the appeal of this lively club.

The game

Golfing at Saint-François is both a technical challenge and an enormous pleasure! Any golfer who has the privilege of playing here is thrilled by the experience, without exception. The first tee-off time is 7.10 am, as there is little shade. The trade winds make the game even more of a challenge and precision is needed. The well-designed holes are varied and technical and require fairly long putts. The most scenic hole is number 15 which overlooks the lagoon of Saint-François. The 18th requires concentration and precision to reach the green between three bunkers. It takes around 4 1/2 hours to complete the 5,800 meter course.

Tuition

Two golf instructors can provide tuition on request, at the driving range or on the course, for approximately €25 per half-hour, or €50 per hour. You can borrow equipment for the driving range. The admission fee is €3 and for another €3 you get a bucket of 35 golf balls.

Competition

Every year, the Saint-François Open tournament is hosted here as part of the Alps Tour, the first professional golfing event in the French Caribbean. Many professional golfers from all over the world have played here, including Marc-Antoine Farry, Emmanuel Dussart, Daniel Damiano and Jean Garaialde.

Photo : Adrien Ballanger

Legend

In peak season – November, December and January – please book a week in advance. In the low season, you can book just three days ahead.
For all prices and services, visit www.golf-saintfrancois.com or call us on +590 (0)5 90 88 41 87