The Best Beaches in Guadeloupe You Can Easily Visit by Public Bus

Contrary to all assumptions, many of the best beaches lining the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe can be conveniently and very inexpensively reached by public bus.

In this post, not only am I listing ten of the most beautiful beaches, I’m also adding some tips and, of course, I give you all the details for a smooth and secure bus ride.
So, what are you waiting for?
Pack your swimsuit, your snorkeling mask, and let’s hit the beach – our bus is already waiting!

Guadeloupe

The two main islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago spread their wings in the Caribbean Sea like a beautiful butterfly. Actually, these two isles are so different that it is hard to believe they are the same island. While the eastern wing called Grand Terre attracts visitors with gently rolling hills, settlements steeped in history, colonial architecture, and, above all, countless dreamy bays lined with sea grape and coconut palms, the larger western part that goes by the name of Basse Terre is mountainous, overgrown, and rough. Nevertheless, also this part of Guadeloupe has incredibly pristine beaches that can be easily reached by public bus.

However, ambitious beach hopping might not be possible as some bus lines go only every two hours. But isn’t it far better to spread your towel and relax instead of racing from beach to beach, anyway?
Quality over quantity should be the motto, even when it comes to beaches.

Plage Du Souffleur

If Port Louis wasn’t so secluded – even by Guadeloupean standards – I would have made it my home away from home in the blink of an eye. It is such a precious little town!
But it is tucked away on the northwestern shore of Grand Terre. Therefore, basically everything else is a long ride away, even when you have your own vehicle.

However, this should by no means hold you back from going to Port Louis and its pristine city beach Plage Du Souffleur on an extended day trip.
Believe me, it’s not by pure luck that this paradisiac beach is on top of my list.

It is a long stretch of light golden sand alongside the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Now, what makes it my personal number one is the dense vegetation growing alongside the beach and reaching far down to the water. This way, everyone finds a place in the shade. There are also some open cabanas, called carbets, housing simple wooden tables and benches available free of charge.

Being a North European with naturally rather pale skin, a spot in the shade is crucial for me. Hence, all those shady places secure Plage Du Souffleur this post’s pole position.

Funnily enough, the part of the beach that is right next to the town of Port Louis is the quietest. The further north you go, the greater is the range of water games and sports activities on offer.

Nevertheless, over its entire length, the bay offers relaxed bathing pleasure in calm transparent waters. This makes Plage du Souffleur also perfect for families with small children who can play safely in the shallow water.

Plage de L’Autre Bord

This beach is within walking distance from the historic town of Le Moule. Simply cross the bridge onto the right bank of the Audouin River and after about ten minutes you will be on what is definitely one of the best beaches I enjoyed on my entire trip.

It is long and wide and offers not only enough shady vegetation, but also the so-called carbets, open beach cabanas. They are available to everyone free of charge.

However, I was quite surprised to see so many families with small kids on the beach since the waves here are definitely on the rougher side. No wonder it is popular with water sports enthusiasts. Also, it is one of the very few beaches where I was actually wearing my water shoes as I had to walk on some large rocks when getting into the water.

Circle Tour

Since Le Moule is one of the very few places that both bus companies serve on the island, you can take a great circle trip starting for example in Sainte Anne.

To start, take the Karu’lis morning bus #SA3 from the town hall in Sainte Anne to Le Moule.

After exploring the town and an extensive visit to the beach, you can then take bus #111 at the L’Autre Bord stop. Unfortunately, Google Maps won’t show you this connection, and you won’t find it in the Karu’lis app either as the coach belongs to a different bus company. Therefore, I marked the exact location of the stop on the map at the end of the post.

In only twenty minutes, the bus will take you to Saint François where you can, for example, enjoy the rest of the day on the Plage des Raisins Clairs. I’m introducing this jewel below.

To get back to your starting point, just hop on one of the various buses going westwards from Saint François. You’ll find them on the Karu’lis App as well as on their website.

Plage d’Anse à la Gourde

The choice wasn’t easy as the first three shores are neck and neck in my list of Guadeoupe’s best beaches. In fact, Plage d’Anse à la Gourde is undisputedly the most stunning of all the beaches I have been on on the island: It is almost 1.5 kilometers long, very wide, covered with white, fine powdery sand – in short: Incredibly beautiful!

The water is crystal clear, but there are large, flat stones on the bank, so you have to be a little careful. However, those rocks together with some turtle grass transform Anse à la Gourde into an amazing snorkeling area. Just walk from the shore into the water and you’ll glide through a natural aquarium.

Hmm, so why isn’t this paradise my undisputed number one?
Because there is not enough shadow. There are bushes on the edge, but they are far too low to provide enough shade – and of course, the really shady places are taken very quickly. There are slightly taller trees at the entrance to the beach, but it’s really not an ideal location and also quite far from the water.

Since a shady spot is simply a prerequisite for an enjoyable and healthy day at the beach in the times of the ozone hole, Plage d’Anse à la Gourde shares first place with Plage du Souffleur, which is a little less dreamy but offers tons of shade.

Plage Grande Anse des Salines

And since you’re already familiar with the bus from Saint François to Pointe des Chateaux, why not visit another beautiful beach that’s also on the route?

The salines form a unique ecosystem between the sea and marshland. A wide strip of sand allows vacationers to enjoy this place protected by a coral reef to its full extent. The colors here are shimmering most beautifully in the late morning.

I’d recommend getting here as early as possible and climbing up to the big cross at the Pointe des Châteaux before it gets too hot. The view is amazing, and you will be able to take tons of alluring pictures in this memorable place before you go back to the beach where you can relax for the rest of the day.

However, make sure to protect yourself from the sun. The beach area is very open with little’n’low vegetation so there’s only a little room in the shade.

Anse Kahouanne

When listing my favorite beaches, I go from top to…no, not to flop, because I don’t know of any beach in Guadeloupe that would be a flop. So from top to a bit less top.
However, if I were to go by geographical location, Anse Kahouanne would come before all the above-mentioned beaches right after Saint François.

Only five kilometers east of Saint François you can see cars parked bumper to bumper. They all came here because of a relatively small section of the beach called La Douche.

La Douche is a fascinating and highly entertaining natural phenomenon. Into a basin formed in the rocks on the shore, seawater mostly comes in small waves. Yet, when the sea is rougher, the waves hit the edge of the pool with such force that they eject like geysers and shower everyone standing nearby. It’s not really dangerous, but still, be very careful and don’t go too close to the edge. Remember: An Instagram post isn’t worth harming your loved ones or yourself.

Yes, La Douche is certainly an unusual natural feature. But don’t underestimate the beauty of the sandy beaches and secluded bays that flank this little spot for miles. Everyone will find their favorite spot in the shadow of the dense seagrape trees.

Plage de la Caravelle

When I heard that Plage de la Caravelle was the house beach of the Club Méditerranée Beach Resort, I expected the worst: that I would be chased away from the most beautiful part of the beach like a pariah, that I would be allowed to lay my towel in a dirty corner while all the wealthy hotel guests would make themselves comfortable on comfortable loungers while model-like staff gave them cool drinks would serve.

None of this came true and Plage de la Caravelle is without a doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in Guadeloupe. The fact is that it is a public beach, which is located directly in front of the CM. And yes, the loungers are for the hotel guests, but I think everyone else can use them too for an insane price. Those who aren’t insane simply spread out their beach towel on the fine white sand, because there’s enough space.

There are sections with lots of trees that are appropriately shady. However, it is of course better to have a parasol or a beach shelter with you. The sun shines quite strongly, especially between the palm leaves, and you risk sunburn. In addition to the bars for hotel guests, there are a few small stands where you can buy drinks and small snacks. To be on the safe side, you should bring a large bottle of water with you. Since it is – I repeat – a public beach, consuming food and drinks brought with you is not a problem.

Plage de Sainte-Anne – Plage du Bourg

The colonialists weren’t particularly inventive when it came to naming places. That’s why there are places with the same name in both Martinique and Guadeloupe, and Sainte Anne is one of them. So when you search for something online, always include the island. Otherwise, you may receive information about a place you don’t want to go to.

Sainte Anne is mostly famed for her amazing shores. The three most popular beaches are Plage de la Caravelle, Plage Bois Jolan around two kilometers east of the city, and Plage du Bourg.

The latter is the city beach and one of the most famous beaches on the entire island. A coral reef allows even small kids to swim safely in clear’n’calm waters. Restaurants of all kinds surround it so you can eat on-site and enjoy a beautiful day on the beach. However, that’s also the reason why it is always packed. On Sundays, you have to be there really very early otherwise you might not find a single available spot. Also, that’s the day when local families join the many French long-term vacationers.
However, the beach is lit in the evening which allows you to swim even after dark.

Plage des Raisins Clairs

I’ve mentioned Saint François so many times as a convenient hub on the way to many beautiful beaches. Yet, the town itself boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Guadeloupe!

Recognizable already from a distance by its many trees whose fruits look like vines, the beach Raisins Clairs, which translates to light grapes, lives up to its name. This magnificent beach offers you a superb lagoon and crystal-clear waters.

While during the week, you can still find a tranquil spot, on weekends, the beach becomes lively, to say the least. However, it offers actually something for everyone: Fine sand and shallow waters on its eastern end. Here, even small kids can safely play in the calm, shallow waters. Further west, the coast becomes rocky. Here, you can enjoy some amazing snorkeling right from the shore.

At the entrance to the beach is an informal restaurant. However, it’s far more fun to get a local snack from one of the food trucks alongside the road.

Plage de Grande Anse

There are several areas in Guadeloupe where picturesque bays are strung together like beads on a yarn. One of the most impressive of these chains is located in the northwest of Basse Terre. Just behind the town of Sainte Rose begins a series of beautiful bays with golden sands and turquoise waters. They are all beautiful, but one of the favorites of both locals and visitors is Plage de Grande Anse.

The beach is about one kilometer long. Seagrape trees and coconut palms are standing along its entire length. This way, everyone finds a shady spot even on a busy day. Unfortunately, busy is the key word: The beach may be a gem, but it’s definitely not hidden. Don’t expect a Robinsonade here.

Behind the strip of greenery is a spacious parking lot where some vendors offer handicrafts, snacks, and drinks.

Although I enjoyed my relaxing stay at Plage de la Grande Anse, it’s not at the top of my list. To make it there, the beach shouldn’t have been so incredibly crowded. I was there on a weekday and I can’t even imagine what it must be like on weekends.

Therefore, in my opinion, the bay cannot compete with the bright white sands of Grand Terre’s beaches. But that’s criticism at an extremely high level and I really enjoyed the few hours there despite these tiny flaws.

Plage de la Datcha

To my surprise, the district of Le Gosier west of the capital Pointe-à-Pitre is arguably Guadeloupe’s most popular and thusly most touristy region. Consequently, the streets are lined with all kinds of businesses from pricey specialty stores, big supermarkets, pharmacies, an astonishing number of hairdressers, and even some of the US’ world-infamous fast food restaurants. Together with various kinds of touristy facilities, all this makes Le Gosier the perfect spot for those who prefer their Caribbean vacation on the less exotic side.
Hence, it’s definitely not for me.

So why is Le Gosier’s most popular beach on this list? Because I’m keen to avoid comments that I missed the most famous and supposedly most beautiful beach in Guadeloupe. Well, I don’t know where else people have been as they claim the Plage de la Datcha to be one of the best beaches on the island. Because it’s clearly not.
Just like in Sainte-Anne, you can rent kayaks and other watersports gear right on the beach which is certainly a plus. Also, there are a couple of chill beach bars which you won’t find on most other beaches in Guadeloupe.
Nevertheless, I liked all the beaches I’m listing above to be much nicer.

Day Trip to Marie-Galante

Now I have emphasized several times that Guadeloupe is not an island, but an archipelago consisting of several beautiful islands. Yet, in this post, I only present beaches on the two main islands, especially on Grand Terre.

That’s because I want to make it as easy as possible for you. It’s true that you can reach many other beaches by bus, but the south coast of Grand Terre is the best connected, and the most beautiful beaches in Guadeloupe happen to be right there, too.

I can also hardly call the post The Best Beaches in Guadeloupe You Can Easily Visit by Public Bus and then list beaches to which you have to sail across the sea.

This being said, I’d like to emphasize that the other islands also have absolutely dream beaches, especially Marie Galante. Therefore, rush over to my post What Not to Miss on a Visit to the Island of Marie Galante and make sure to include a day cruise to this tropical jewel on your trip to Guadeloupe!

What To Pack For a Beach Day

If you stay at a beach hotel, you can simply walk from your room to your sun bed in a swimsuit, a book, and a cocktail in hand. In that case, kudos – and you won’t need this checklist. If however, you intend to visit more or less secluded beaches by public bus, you might wanna put a bit more thought into what to pack for the day.

Keep in mind that you’ll leave your accommodation in the morning, taking the bus to some remote place from where you then return only in the late afternoon. If you forget to take certain things with you, you won’t have them available during the entire day, it’s as simple as that.

Therefore, the below list contains not only quintessential items like your wallet and your reading glasses but also some gadgets that are not crucial but will make your day on the beach more comfortable and pleasant.

How to Get to the Beaches by Public Bus

In general, the bus network in Guadeloupe is pretty well developed. I can’t think of any place that doesn’t have any bus service at all. At first, things are confusing because there are two different companies.

Firstly, the company Karu’lis serves the city and district around Pointe-à-Pitre as well as the southern coast of Grand Terre. Their buses are easily recognizable as they are bright orange. You find lines, maps, schedules, and fares online on their website as well as on the Karu’lis App. There you can also charge money and pay for your tickets as you go. Otherwise, you can buy your ticket just as easily from the driver.

Keep in mind that Karu’lis buses stop their service on Saturdays around noon and that there is no service whatsoever on Sundays.

Now, while this sounds really easy and comfortable, I have to inform you that Karu’lis is serving exclusively the above-mentioned part of the island, hence, Pointe-à-Pitre all the way to Pointe des Chateaux.

But what if you want to go to Plage Du Souffleur? And how about the transport to Plage de Grande Anse in Basse Terre?

Well, those are served by a different company. Fortunately, this company also has an excellent website where you find a system map and all timetables as comfortably downloadable PDFs. All you have to do is check on their system map which bus goes where and then look up the times on the respective schedule. Everything is marked in bright colors and sounds probably more complicated than it is.

To make things easier for you, I’ve already linked all the online available timetables below the description of my favorite beaches.

However, you’ll find these and all the other lines on their website.

Do Your Research

While this other bus company is at least as good and reliable as Karu’lis, it has two major flaws: Firstly, there is no App, you have to get all the info from their website. I actually recommend printing out all the schedules before your trip. Don’t worry, there aren’t that many.
The other problem is that they aren’t on Google Maps. So while you can look up the bus from Pointe-à-Pitre to Sainte Anne on Google Maps just like you’d look for a connection in Paris or London, you cannot do that for the other buses. This does not mean they are less reliable, you only have to check all your connections on their website.

One last but very important thing: To go places that Karu’lis isn’t serving, you basically always have to change buses in Pointe-à-Pitre. There are very few exceptions to this rule. However, it is important to know that Karu’lis’ coaches are going to the Gare De Darboussier east of the port basin while all the other coaches – even those going to the north and the northeast coast of Grand Terre – are leaving from the Gare Routière de Bergevin located close to the cruise terminal. Don’t look for it on Google Maps, they will send you to a roundabout about twenty minutes north of the correct bus terminal. Believe me, been there, done that.

Obviously, you’ll find the Bergevin terminal’s correct location in the map I created below.

These two bus terminals are about a 20-minute walk from each other, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Seven Tips For Going to Guadeloupe’s Best Beaches By Public Bus

1. The most important tip to make your bus ride more enjoyable: Don’t look at it as a wasted period of time between two meaningful activities. No, think of it as an original tour in an authentic vehicle: Enjoy the amazing scenery, the turquoise waters, the endless sugarcane fields, and the swaying palm trees.
   This is neither New York nor Paris nor Tokyo, this is a Caribbean island, and the bus ride is part of the whole experience.
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2. Don’t plan too much for one day. One or two destinations will be enough. Yes, in cities like London or Berlin, you can design a meticulous program for the day and follow through. Taking a day trip on public buses in Guadeloupe is more complex and at times also tiring: you’ll be walking quite a bit, you’ll have to carry all sorts of stuff with you, you’ll have to plan for longer waiting times, and all this in the tropical heat. Believe me: Less is definitely more.
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3. However, plan your trip as thoroughly as possible in advance by checking and downloading the timetables from the Région Guadeloupe’s website as well as Karu’lis’ website and by checking connections on Google Maps or the Karu’lis App wherever possible.
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4. Be at the stop at least ten, better 20 minutes before the scheduled time as coaches tend to arrive far too early.
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5. While waiting, don’t get distracted by reading or chatting with others. Keep your eyes on the road if the bus is coming. Because if you just hang around at the bus stop, the driver won’t consider you a potential passenger and might just merrily pass you by. As soon as you see the bus approaching, give the driver a sign by lifting your arm or waving.
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6. Make sure to have small change to pay your fare as the drivers accept only bills up to 10 €uros. Trips cost between 1.80 €uros and 5 €uros depending on the distance.
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7. Never rely on the last possible connection or the latest scheduled coach. Plan your trip in a way that you can take at least one later bus.
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Organized Trips

As I pointed out, most of Guadeloupe’s wonderful beaches can be reached by public bus. However, this will cost you some time and possibly nerves. Hence, an organized tour might be a more suitable option, especially if you don’t have much time on the island. Also, if you want to visit the smaller islands, and engage in activities on the water like sailing or snorkeling from a boat, you have to go on a tour unless you bring your own yacht. Therefore, here are some great tours to choose from*:

Although Guadeloupe’s beaches are just fantastic, they are not the only attraction the archipelago has to offer. For more stories and information on Guadeloupe, check out my posts

Best Places to Visit in Grand Terre, the Eastern Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

Best Places to Visit in Basse Terre, the Western Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

Guadeloupe: What Not to Miss on a Visit to the Island of Marie Galante

Best Street Art in GUADELOUPE

For general information on the island of Guadeloupe, go to the main post

Grand GUADELOUPE: Complete Guide And Perfect Itineraries (also for travels by public bus)

There, you’ll find comprehensive information and tips that will make your trip much smoother and more enjoyable.

Map

This map should help you to find the most beautiful beaches of Guadeloupe that I’m introducing in this post. Clicking on the slider symbol at the top left or the full-screen icon at the top right will display the whole map including the legend.

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