Full-Day Sailing and Snorkeling Excursion to Les Saintes

The best part of this day is that Les Saintes arrives by sailboat, not by a quick ferry ride. You spend about two hours and 30 minutes crossing from Basse-Terre, with time to learn the basics of sailing and, if you wish, take the helm beside the skipper.

I like the small maximum group of nine, and I like that the day mixes sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and food instead of treating the islands as a one-stop photo break. The homemade Creole lunch, coconut and mango punches, and sunset return give the trip a relaxed, generous feel.

The main thing to consider is that this is a boat-focused day, not a land tour. You will see the village of Les Saintes from the water, but there is no on-land visit. Swimming stops are unsupervised, so you need to judge your own ability in the water.

Key things to know before you book

• Take the helm during the crossing: The skipper offers a sailing introduction and lets willing passengers steer.
• See Les Saintes from the water: The route includes Cabrit Island, Terre-de-Haut, the village, and a UNESCO-listed bay.
• Snorkel near a shipwreck: One of the planned swimming stops is beside a sunken boat in the harbor area.
• Eat a full Creole lunch onboard: Expect chicken colombo with turmeric and ginger, rice, fruit salad, coffee, and drinks.
• Travel in a group of no more than nine: The smaller boat creates a more personal day and makes it easier to ask questions.
• Return around sunset: The day begins at 9 a.m. in Gourbeyre and ends back at the same marina meeting point.

A full day built around the sea

Reve de Nav runs this excursion from 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, near Riviere-Sens Marina on Basse-Terre. You meet at 9 a.m., and the activity lasts about nine hours, returning to the starting point around sunset.

That schedule matters. This is not a rushed ride to Les Saintes with a short swim squeezed between transfers. Roughly four hours are spent under sail during the outbound and return crossings, while about five hours are devoted to the waters around Les Saintes.

I would choose this trip if you want the journey itself to be part of the holiday. If your priority is walking through Terre-de-Haut, shopping, visiting Fort Napoléon, or spending most of the day on a beach, this is not the right format. The boat remains your base from morning to evening.

The group limit of nine is a real advantage. A skipper can give more attention to a small group, and you are less likely to feel like a name on a passenger list. The exact skipper may vary. Past departures have been led by Mathieu, Didier, Raphaëlle, Olivier, Robin, Antoine, and others. The consistent theme is an active, social style of guiding, with sailing instruction and local information folded into the day.

The crossing from Basse-Terre to Les Saintes

The outbound sail takes about two hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to make the open-water passage feel like a major part of the experience, rather than mere transport.

Your skipper gives a safety briefing and explains basic sailing techniques. If you want to participate, you can learn how to steer and may even pick up a sailor’s knot or two. You do not need to be an experienced sailor. The point is to try the controls with an instructor close by.

I like this hands-on option because it gives the crossing a purpose. You can sit back, watch the coast recede, and enjoy the movement of the boat, or you can take part. The choice is yours, and the trip does not require everyone to become an amateur captain.

The crossing can also be the most exposed part of the day. You are spending hours on a sailboat, so people who dislike open water or tend to feel seasick should think carefully before booking. The supplied information does not promise calm conditions, and the operator can cancel when weather is poor.

Onboard snacks include bananas and madeleines. Bottled water, coffee, and tea are also included. These simple provisions are useful during the long crossing, especially before lunch is served later in the day.

Seeing Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut from the boat

Once you reach the Saintes area, the skipper guides the boat around points of interest such as Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut. You see the islands from the sea, with the boat providing the viewpoint rather than a road or walking trail.

That perspective is the reason to choose this outing. You get a broader sense of the bay, the shoreline, and the way the settlements sit around the water. The skipper also explains the places you pass, adding local context as the boat moves between stops.

A motorized portion takes you close enough to view the village of Les Saintes from the water. This is useful if you want to see the character of Terre-de-Haut without giving up the sailing day, but it is important to set the right expectations. You do not get free time ashore.

For some people, that limitation will be disappointing. Les Saintes rewards time on land, and you cannot use this excursion to explore its streets or sights independently. For others, staying onboard is the whole appeal. You avoid the logistics of getting off, finding your way around, and returning to a ferry schedule.

Snorkeling in a UNESCO-listed bay

The swimming and snorkeling stops are selected for access from the boat. One planned location is near a shipwreck, and this has become a particularly memorable part of the day for many people who enjoy looking below the surface.

You may also snorkel near the small beach at Pain de Sucre, an area praised for clear, attractive water and good conditions for a swim. The exact stop can depend on weather and sea conditions, so treat the route as flexible rather than guaranteed minute by minute.

The operator describes the activity as suitable for most participants, but swimming stops are unsupervised. If you cannot swim, you must tell the skipper before departure. Even at accessible spots, you remain responsible for your own safety in the water.

That point deserves attention. This is not a staffed snorkeling lesson with a dedicated water guide. You should be comfortable following safety instructions and managing yourself in the sea. Parents should also decide if their children are confident enough for an adventure-focused boat day.

Bring a practical attitude to the swim stops. The trip includes the chance to snorkel and swim, but the water experience is part of a sailing day, not a formal snorkel charter with extensive equipment instruction described in the schedule.

Lunch with chicken colombo and island drinks

Lunch is one of the stronger value points. The meal is prepared onboard and includes rice, chicken colombo made with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. Coffee follows, and the aperitif includes juice, coconut punch, mango punch, sausage, and fish rillettes.

The mango punch is made with mangoes from the skipper’s garden, a small detail that gives the meal a more personal feel. The food is not just a packaged sandwich handed out between stops. It is part of the Creole character of the day.

The standard main course is chicken. If you do not eat chicken, the operator offers a salad with rice, egg, feta, and lettuce at no extra charge, but you need to request it more than 36 hours before departure. Do not wait until lunchtime to raise the issue.

The meal also helps explain the price. At $179.01 per person, you are paying for a nine-hour small-group sailing experience, not only transport to Les Saintes. Food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, coffee, and sailing instruction are included.

Whether that is good value depends on how you spend your day. If you want a ferry crossing followed by several hours on land, another option may suit you better. If you value a full day on a boat, a small group, a prepared lunch, and guided swimming stops, the package is easier to justify.

Skippers who make the day personal

The skipper is central to this experience. You are not simply following a fixed route with recorded commentary. The captain handles the boat, explains the islands, answers questions, and decides how to manage the day at sea.

Mathieu has been praised for combining several roles onboard: captain, guide, barista, bartender, and cook. He also gives passengers a chance to learn sailing techniques. Didier is known for smooth handling and for choosing good snorkeling areas, while Raphaëlle has led departures praised for a friendly and capable approach.

Names can change with the date, so you should not book solely because you hope for one specific skipper. Still, the operating style is clear: expect a captain who is involved with the group and who may invite you to participate in the sailing.

Language may also vary by departure. An English-speaking group was specifically accommodated on one trip, but the supplied details do not promise a particular language for every outing. If language is important to you, confirm it before booking.

The most appreciated qualities are not flashy. They are safety explanations, calm boat handling, answers to questions, and the willingness to make the group feel included. That suits you if you prefer a hosted outing over an anonymous boat transfer.

What the nine-hour timing feels like

The schedule divides into two broad sections:

• The crossing from Basse-Terre to Les Saintes takes about two hours and 30 minutes.
• Time around Les Saintes lasts about five hours and includes snorkeling, swimming, lunch, drinks, and a motorized look at the village.
• The return sail takes about one hour and 30 minutes, with another chance to steer.
• The boat arrives back at Riviere-Sens Marina around sunset.

The long return is not merely a transfer. If conditions allow, you can take part in the sailing again and watch the light change over the water. The late arrival gives the day a natural finish, but it also means you should avoid booking another evening activity that requires a precise arrival time.

You will be together for most of the day, sharing a limited space with up to eight other people. That can create a friendly atmosphere, especially if the group enjoys conversation and participation. It can feel less comfortable if you want privacy or a quiet boat ride.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you enjoy:

• Sailing as much as the destination
• Small groups and direct contact with the skipper
• Swimming and snorkeling from a boat
• Creole food and informal onboard meals
• Learning a little about handling a sailboat
• Seeing the Saintes without spending the day ashore
• A relaxed return around sunset

Families can book if parents and children enjoy nature, excitement, and time on the water. The operator says most people can participate, but you should discuss any disability in advance to confirm suitability.

I would be more cautious about recommending it if you need an accessible, supervised swim program, dislike open water, or want a land-based tour. The swimming is unsupervised, the boat journey takes several hours, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 177 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation rate. More useful than the numbers is the pattern behind them: the strongest praise focuses on the skippers, sailing participation, food, safety, and the chance to see the Saintes from offshore.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. You meet at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, with the activity ending at the same meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The outing requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or activity, or a full refund.

Because hotel transportation is not included, plan your own route to the marina. The meeting point and end point are the same, which simplifies the return, but you still need to arrange your arrival and departure.

Should you book the Les Saintes sailing day?

Book it if you want a full day at sea with real sailing time, not just a ride between islands. The combination of hands-on steering, snorkeling near a shipwreck, views of Terre-de-Haut, a Creole lunch, and a small group gives the $179.01 price a fair basis.

Skip it if your main goal is to walk around Les Saintes. You will not have an on-land visit, and the swim stops are not supervised. For confident swimmers, curious sailors, and anyone who prefers a hosted day on the water, this is one of the more personal ways to experience the islands from Basse-Terre.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe, at 9 a.m.

How long does the excursion last?

The activity lasts approximately nine hours and returns to the same meeting point around sunset.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included.

Will I visit Les Saintes on land?

No. The experience does not include an on-land visit. You see the village and other points of interest from the boat.

Can I steer the sailboat?

Yes. The skipper provides an introduction to sailing, and willing participants can take the helm during the crossings.

What food and drinks are included?

Snacks include bananas and madeleines. Lunch includes an aperitif, rice, chicken colombo with turmeric and ginger, homemade fruit salad, coffee, and drinks including coconut and mango punch. Bottled water, coffee, and tea are also included.

Is snorkeling supervised?

No. Swimming and snorkeling stops are unsupervised, even though they take place at accessible spots. Anyone who cannot swim must inform the skipper before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.