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Terre-de-Haut

Lying 10km off Guadeloupe, unhurried Terre-de-Haut is the largest of the eight small islands that make up Les Saintes and feels like a slice of southern France transported to the Caribbean. Lots of English is spoken here thanks to a big international sailing scene, and it’s definitely the most cosmopolitan of Guadeloupe’s outlying islands. Divers love its waters for their good visibility and healthy reefs.

Since Terre-de-Haut was too hilly and dry for sugar plantations, slavery never took hold here. Consequently, older islanders can trace their roots to the early seafaring Norman and Breton colonists, and many locals have light skin and blond or red hair.

Home to most of the island’s residents, Bourg des Saintes is a picturesque village with a decidedly Norman accent. Its narrow streets are lined with whitewashed red-roofed houses with shuttered windows and yards of flowering hibiscus.

Explore Terre-de-Haut

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Terre-de-Haut.

  • Beach

    Baie de Pompierre

    The horseshoe-shaped Baie de Pompierre is perhaps Terre-de-Haut's loveliest beach: a reef-protected golden strand with a splendid setting. There are even…

  • Fort

    Fort Napoléon

    Built in 1867 on the site of an earlier fort destroyed by the British in 1809, this installation sitting over 100m above sea level affords a splendid view…

  • Beach

    Anse Crawen

    The oddly named Anse Crawen is a secluded, clothing-optional beach just a couple of minutes’ walk down a dirt path that starts at the southwestern end of…

  • Beach

    Anse à Cointe

    Two kilometers southwest of Bourg des Saintes is Anse à Cointe, a good beach for combining swimming and snorkeling. The snorkeling is best on the north…

  • Beach

    Anse Rodrigue

    South of Grande Anse and about 2km from town is Anse Rodrigue, a nice beach on a protected cove that usually has good swimming conditions.

  • Beach

    Baie du Marigot

    Baie du Marigot is a pleasant little bay with a calm, protected beach about 1km north of Bourg des Saintes. It’s fairly close to Fort Napoléon, so most…

  • Beach

    Grande Anse

    Easily one of Terre-de-Haut's best beaches, long, sandy Grande Anse unfortunately has rough water conditions, and swimming is not allowed. The north side…

  • Viewpoint

    Le Chameau

    A winding cement road leads to the summit of Le Chameau, which at 309m is Terre-de-Haut's highest point. From Bourg des Saintes it’s a moderately…

  • Mountain

    Pain de Sucre

    The Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf) is an imposing 53m-high basalt peninsula. You’ll find good snorkeling and a sandy beach here.