Sailing and Snorkeling Day Tour to Les Saintes

The best part of this day is that you reach Les Saintes under sail, not on a crowded ferry. The trip gives you time on the water, two easy snorkeling stops, a homemade Creole lunch, and about five hours around Terre-de-Haut. I especially like the small group of nine and the chance to learn basic sailing from skippers such as Raphaëlle and Didier. The main catch is the long open-sea ride, roughly four hours total, so this suits you best if you enjoy being on a boat as much as seeing the island.

I also like the thoughtful food and drink: homemade punches, fish rillettes, sausage, bananas, madeleines, chicken Colombo, fruit salad, coffee, tea, and water. The $153 price is fair for a nine-hour outing with transport by sail, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and a professional skipper. Still, this is not a wheelchair-friendly activity, and the boat has limited space compared with a large ferry or catamaran.

At a glance

• Sail the full route to Les Saintes: The outbound trip takes about two and a half hours, with a return of roughly one and a half to two hours.
• Keep the group small: No more than nine people share the 11.5-meter monohull Inko.
• Snorkel at two different sites: Stop near Pain de Sucre, then swim above a shipwreck in clear water.
• Eat a proper Creole lunch onboard: Chicken Colombo with fresh turmeric and ginger comes with rice and homemade fruit salad.
• Learn by doing: You can receive a basic sailing introduction and, if you want, help handle the boat.
• Spend time beyond the main crowds: The day centers on the sea, quiet coves, and a slower look at Terre-de-Haut.

Leaving Marina Rivière-Sens under sail

Your day begins at Dream Nav, in front of the Pier 7 Yellow Gate at Marina Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre, near Basse-Terre. Check your booking details carefully for the exact meeting instructions, since the starting point is described using both the Dream Nav name and the Pier 7 gate.

The boat is Inko, an 11.5-meter monohull. That matters. A monohull gives you the classic feel of a sailing boat, with the hull moving and leaning as the wind fills the sails. You are not simply being carried from one port to another. The skipper introduces the basics and explains what is happening, and you may get the chance to help steer or handle part of the boat.

The crossing to Les Saintes takes around two and a half hours. This is a real part of the tour, not a short transfer tucked between attractions. I would see it as the heart of the experience if you like wind, open water, and the simple pleasure of watching an island approach from the sea.

It can feel like a long stretch if you mainly want beach time. Bring sunglasses, a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A camera is welcome, but keep it secure around the boat. You should also bring swimwear and a towel.

The skipper makes a major difference on a day like this. Raphaëlle is described as warm, safety-minded, and happy to explain sailing in several languages. One account notes that she speaks French, English, and German, while Didier is praised for his explanations about Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, and the boat. The listed tour languages are English and French, so confirm your preferred language when booking.

Terre-de-Haut from the water

The boat reaches Terre-de-Haut, one of the main islands in the Les Saintes archipelago. Rather than rushing straight into a long land tour, the day uses the island as a base for swimming, lunch, sightseeing, and a scenic cruise.

You have about five hours around Les Saintes in total, divided among the meal, snorkeling, a guided look at the island, and time aboard the boat. This schedule gives you a useful mix. You see the famous coastline from the water, get into the sea, and still have time to relax in the shaded cockpit.

The boat has a toilet and a deck shower. Those are modest comforts, but they matter after swimming and during a full day on a small boat. The shaded outdoor cockpit is also where you eat lunch, so you can stay out of the strongest sun while taking in the views.

The itinerary includes a guided tour and sightseeing period of about an hour. The supplied details do not promise a long walking tour or a particular set of monuments, so think of this as a gentle introduction to Terre-de-Haut rather than a full island history lesson. The strongest sense of place comes from the boat, the shoreline, and the time spent looking at the islands from sea level.

Two snorkeling stops with different scenery

The first snorkeling stop is near Pain de Sucre, one of the best-known coastal spots in Les Saintes. The water is described as turquoise, and the site is chosen to be accessible for swimming and snorkeling. You can expect colorful marine life and a pleasant break after the crossing.

The second stop takes place above a shipwreck. This gives the snorkeling portion a different character. Instead of only looking along the reef and rocks, you have an underwater object to explore from the surface. The stop lasts about 30 minutes in the listed schedule, while the earlier snorkeling and lunch block runs for around three hours.

The tour does not suggest that you need advanced snorkeling skills. It is built around accessible swimming areas, which makes it a good fit for someone who wants to see fish without signing up for a demanding water excursion. Still, basic comfort in the sea is important. The activity is not presented as a lesson in swimming, and conditions can affect how enjoyable any snorkeling stop feels.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and a towel. You may also want a dry bag for your phone or camera, though one is not listed as provided. Since you will be moving between sailing and swimming, the change of clothes is more than a packing suggestion. It can make the return trip much more comfortable.

A homemade Creole lunch in the cockpit

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value here. The main dish is chicken Colombo prepared with fresh turmeric and ginger, served with rice and homemade fruit salad. Water, tea, and coffee are included.

Before or around the meal, the skipper serves an aperitif with juice, coconut punch, and mango punch. The mangoes used for one of the punches come from the garden. Sausage and fish rillettes accompany the drinks, while bananas and madeleines are available as snacks.

That menu gives the day a local food angle without turning lunch into a formal event. You eat aboard the boat, in the shaded cockpit, with the islands around you. I like this more than an excursion that sends you ashore for a generic restaurant meal, because the food remains part of the sailing experience.

The rum and punch tasting deserves a small note of caution. You are out on the water for many hours, in the sun, and swimming is part of the program. Enjoy the drinks sensibly, keep drinking water, and remember that the boat ride continues after lunch.

The scenic motor cruise

Although the journey to Les Saintes is entirely by sail, part of the sightseeing around the islands uses the motor. That distinction is useful. The eco-friendly appeal comes from sailing the route to and from Les Saintes, while the motor allows a calmer cruise through areas where the boat needs more control or where the group is taking in the coast.

This section is a good chance to stop thinking about the schedule. Sit in the cockpit, watch the shoreline, and take photos. The boat gives you a close view of the coves and rocky coast that you would miss from a larger ferry.

The tour is not built around a packed list of land attractions. Its pleasure comes from the rhythm of the day: sail, swim, eat, cruise, swim again, then sail back. If you prefer a fast-moving excursion with several formal stops, this may feel too relaxed. If you like a day that lets the scenery set the pace, it makes sense.

Returning across open water

The return sail lasts about one and a half hours in the main description, while the timetable allows closer to two hours. Either way, plan for a substantial ride back to Marina Rivière-Sens.

The boat is described as sailing the full journey, which is a rare feature for a day trip to Les Saintes. You get another chance to watch the skipper trim the sails, ask questions, or simply settle into the motion of the boat. One particularly nice detail is the possibility of a late-day or sunset view. The timing and weather will affect what you see, so treat it as a pleasant possibility rather than a guaranteed sunset cruise.

This is also when the small group can matter most. With no more than nine people, the atmosphere can feel more personal than a large excursion boat. You are more likely to hear the skipper’s explanations, find a comfortable place in the cockpit, and share the sailing experience without a crowd around every rail.

Why the $153 price can make sense

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Les Saintes. A basic ferry or a short boat outing may cost less, but those options do not combine a full sailing journey, two snorkeling stops, a guided sightseeing period, and a homemade meal.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for:

• Transport to and from Les Saintes
• A sailing lesson or sailing excursion
• Snorkeling access
• Lunch and drinks
• A smaller group setting

Here, those elements are combined into nine hours. The included food is more substantial than a simple sandwich, and the aperitif, snacks, coffee, tea, and water reduce the need to buy extras during the day. No additional paid option is listed, which keeps the cost fairly clear.

I would not choose this tour solely to save money. I would choose it because the sailing itself is the attraction. You are paying for time on an actual sailboat, with a skipper who explains the basics and lets you take part if you wish.

Who will enjoy this day most

This outing fits you well if you like small-group activities, sea views, local food, and a slower pace. Couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around water should find plenty to enjoy. The maximum of nine people also suits anyone who dislikes large organized boat trips.

It is especially good for a repeat visitor to Guadeloupe who wants to see Les Saintes in a different way. Instead of treating the archipelago as only a destination for a quick arrival and departure, you spend much of the day experiencing the water around it.

You may want to choose another option if you mainly want a long beach stay, extensive shopping time, or a full land tour of Terre-de-Haut. The itinerary gives you about an hour for guided sightseeing, not an entire day ashore.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also think carefully about the four or more hours of sailing time if you are prone to seasickness or dislike long boat rides. The available information does not specify seasickness treatment, so bring only what you know you can safely use and ask the operator before departure if this is a concern.

Practical packing advice

Pack light, but bring the items that make a boat day easier:

• Sunglasses and a hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of dry clothes
• A camera
• Water-resistant protection for valuables

The boat includes a toilet and deck shower, but this is still a compact sailing boat rather than a resort vessel. Wear clothes you can move in, keep your belongings organized, and expect salt spray.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. The duration is nine hours, with departure times available according to the date you select. It can be offered as a collective or private tour, so check which format you are booking.

Should you book the Les Saintes sailing day?

I would book it if you want the journey to matter as much as the destination. The full sailing route, small group, hands-on instruction, two snorkeling stops, and Creole lunch make this more than a standard island transfer.

I would skip it if you want maximum time on land or prefer a large, stable boat with a short crossing. For everyone else, especially people who enjoy food, swimming, and a skipper who takes time to explain the boat, this is a strong use of a full day in Guadeloupe.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Dream Nav, in front of the Pier 7 Yellow Gate at Marina Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre, near Basse-Terre.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. The outbound sailing takes around two and a half hours, and the return takes roughly one and a half to two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The small-group tour is limited to nine participants. A private version may also be offered.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guidance is available in English and French. The skipper Raphaëlle is also described as speaking German.

Is the entire trip to Les Saintes by sail?

Yes. The journey to Les Saintes and the return are described as sailing trips. A motor-powered cruise is included for sightseeing around the islands.

Where do you snorkel?

The tour includes a snorkeling stop near Pain de Sucre and another stop above a shipwreck.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice, chicken Colombo with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. Water, tea, and coffee are also included.

What drinks and snacks are provided?

The aperitif includes juice, coconut punch, mango punch, sausage, and fish rillettes. Snacks include bananas and madeleines.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.