Sailing and Snorkeling Day Tour to Les Saintes

Les Saintes look best from the water. This 9-hour trip from Gourbeyre combines a full sailing journey, two snorkeling stops, a Creole lunch, and time around Terre-de-Haut. I especially like the small group of no more than nine people and the chance to help with the sailing instead of simply sitting on a ferry. The homemade meal, fruit punch, and relaxed cockpit setting add real character.

The main thing to consider is the length of the open-water crossings. You spend about two and a half hours sailing to Les Saintes and roughly two hours returning, so this is not a quick island visit. If you want a short transfer, a busy schedule, or easy access for a wheelchair, this boat trip may not suit you.

Key details before you book

• Sail nearly the entire way to Les Saintes: The trip uses the 11.5-meter Inko, a monohull sailboat, with a motor-powered cruise used during part of the island sightseeing.
• Small-group sailing: With a maximum of nine passengers, you get more room and more direct contact with the skipper than on a large catamaran.
• Two distinct snorkeling stops: You stop near Pain de Sucre and above a shipwreck, both selected for easy access to the water.
• A proper Creole lunch onboard: Chicken colombo with fresh turmeric and ginger comes with rice and homemade fruit salad.
• Friendly instruction for first-time sailors: The skipper explains the basics and lets willing passengers help with the boat.
• Strong guide praise: Raphaëlle is noted for her good humor, careful handling, clear explanations, and ability to speak several languages. Didier is also praised for his explanations of Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, and the sailboat.

Why this boat trip feels different

Many trips to Les Saintes focus on getting you there quickly. This one treats the journey as part of the day. You leave from Marina Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre, near Basse-Terre, and head across the water under sail rather than taking a standard passenger ferry.

That choice matters. You feel the wind, hear the sails working, and get a better sense of the distance between Guadeloupe and the smaller islands. The skipper also offers an introduction to sailing, so you are not just along for the ride. You might help with a task, learn what the sails do, or even take a turn steering when conditions allow.

The boat is an 11.5-meter monohull called Inko. A monohull tends to offer a more traditional sailing feel than a wide catamaran, though it may also move more with the sea. If you are sensitive to motion, bring that point into your decision. The crew aims for a calm, safe day, but the open sea is still open sea.

The small group changes the mood. Nine people is enough for friendly conversation but small enough that you can ask questions without shouting across a crowded deck. You also get a better chance to find a comfortable spot in the shaded cockpit, where lunch is served.

The morning crossing from Marina Rivière-Sens

The meeting point is in front of Pier 7 at the yellow gate, at Dream Nav. From there, the boat begins the long outward crossing to Terre-de-Haut.

The sailing section lasts about two and a half hours. That may sound long if you are picturing a simple island transfer, but it is the heart of the outing. The skipper introduces you to the boat and explains the basic ideas behind sailing in a friendly, practical way. You do not need to arrive as a sailor. The whole point is to let beginners understand what is happening around them.

You should expect changing views rather than a string of formal stops. The fun comes from watching the boat move under sail and seeing Guadeloupe recede as Les Saintes draws closer. Keep your sunglasses and hat handy, and use biodegradable sunscreen. A change of clothes is wise because spray, swimming, and salt water can leave you damp long before the day is over.

The crew serves snacks during the day, including bananas and madeleines. The aperitif includes juice, coconut punch, mango punch made with mangoes from the garden, sausage, and fish rillettes. These small touches make the crossing feel more like a hosted day on the water than a bare transport service.

Raphaëlle receives especially warm praise for her handling of the boat and her attention to safety. She is also described as speaking three languages fluently and explaining the trip in English when needed. If Didier is your skipper, expect plenty of information about Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, and the boat itself.

Terre-de-Haut and the first water stop

Once you reach Terre-de-Haut, the day slows down. You have about five hours around Les Saintes, split between lunch, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a short cruise.

The first major water stop is near Pain de Sucre. This is one of the archipelago’s well-known coastal sights, and seeing it from the boat gives you a different angle than walking along shore. The snorkeling spot is selected for easy access, so you can get into the water without a difficult approach.

The water is turquoise, and the snorkeling includes views of marine life close to the boat. You should still bring realistic expectations. This is not a specialist marine expedition, and no claim is made about a particular species or guaranteed conditions. Sea state, light, and visibility can change. The appeal is that the stop is accessible and fits naturally into a full day of sailing.

After the first swim, you return to the boat for lunch in the shaded outdoor cockpit. The meal includes rice, chicken colombo seasoned with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. Water, tea, and coffee are included.

I like this setup because you do not lose time searching for a restaurant on shore. You eat with the sea around you, and the cockpit offers shade after time in the sun. The meal is also more substantial than the usual packet of snacks served on many day boats.

There is a practical tradeoff. Lunch onboard means you do not spend much time walking around Terre-de-Haut’s streets or choosing your own restaurant. If your main goal is cafés, shops, or independent island wandering, another type of Les Saintes visit may suit you better.

A motor cruise for the island views

After lunch and the first snorkeling session, the boat takes you on a sightseeing cruise around the area. This section uses the motor, giving you a break from the steady movement of sailing and allowing the skipper to focus on showing you the coast.

The trip description allows about an hour for the guided tour, boat cruise, and sightseeing. This is a useful pause in the day. You can sit back, take photos, and look at the shape of the islands from the water without needing to manage a sail or prepare for a swim.

The cruise also gives the skipper room to explain what you are seeing. Didier is particularly praised for his explanations of Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, while Raphaëlle is praised for making the day feel easy and cheerful. The exact route can depend on weather and sea conditions, so you should see this as a flexible viewing period rather than a fixed walking tour with a list of guaranteed stops.

The boat has a toilet and a deck shower. These are basic facilities, but they matter on a nine-hour outing. The shower is useful after snorkeling, and the toilet means you do not need to plan the day around a shore visit.

The shipwreck snorkeling stop

The second water stop lasts about 30 minutes and takes place above a shipwreck. This gives the afternoon a different feel from the Pain de Sucre stop. Instead of simply looking along a coastal reef area, you have an underwater feature to explore.

The shorter duration is worth noting. Thirty minutes is enough for a focused swim, especially after a full morning and lunch, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If snorkeling is your top reason for booking, you may wish the water time were longer. If you want a balanced day with sailing, food, scenery, and swimming, the length keeps the schedule moving.

You will need beachwear, a towel, and a camera if you want to record the day. Bring a change of clothes for the return crossing. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, which is a sensible choice for a trip that puts you directly into the sea.

The return sail and the end of the day

The journey back to Gourbeyre takes about two hours according to the itinerary, while the broader description places the return at roughly one and a half hours. Plan for a long sailing return rather than relying on an exact minute count.

This is when the day’s pace becomes especially relaxed. You have finished the swimming and meal, and you can settle into the boat while the crew handles the trip home. One account describes a beautiful sunset scene near the end of the day, though the exact light will depend on the season, weather, and departure timing.

The final sailing stretch is also a good test of whether this excursion suits you. If you enjoy being on a boat, the return feels like a pleasant wind-down. If you prefer constant activity, the crossing may feel slow. I would not book this tour purely for the time spent on Terre-de-Haut. I would book it for the full sailing day.

Food, drinks, and the overall onboard mood

Food is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The aperitif includes coconut and mango punches, with the mangoes used in the drink coming from the garden. Sausage and fish rillettes accompany the drinks, while bananas and madeleines provide simple snacks.

The lunch has a clear local flavor without becoming fussy. Chicken colombo with turmeric and ginger, rice, and fresh fruit salad make a satisfying meal after swimming and sailing. Water, tea, and coffee are included, so you are not left to manage every drink separately.

The mood is warm and social. Several comments specifically praise the homemade punches, the food, and the skipper’s good humor. Raphaëlle is also praised for reminding people not to sit in the sun too long. That sort of small attention matters on a full day at sea, where it is easy to underestimate heat and glare.

The aperitif does include alcoholic punches. If you do not drink alcohol, juice is available, but you should still pace yourself in the sun. The combination of rum, heat, swimming, and a long boat ride calls for some common sense.

What the $153 price delivers

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Les Saintes. A basic ferry or a simple boat transfer may cost less, but those options do not include a full sailing lesson, two snorkeling stops, a hosted Creole lunch, snacks, drinks, and a small group capped at nine.

The value is strongest if you want one well-organized day that combines several activities. You are paying for the boat, skipper, instruction, food, equipment access for the water stops, and the time spent sailing in a more personal setting.

The price is less compelling if you only want to stand on Terre-de-Haut for a few hours. In that case, a transport-focused option may give you more freedom and possibly a lower cost. Here, the journey is the product.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 57 reviews, and 94 percent of the published ratings give the transport a perfect score. The most praised features are consistent: the skippers, the food, the rum tastings, the safety-minded boat handling, the snorkeling locations, and the relaxed atmosphere.

Who should book this sailing day

I would recommend this tour to you if you enjoy active sightseeing but do not want a hard physical excursion. You can swim, snorkel, help with sailing, or simply relax during the cruise. The small group works well for couples, families with older children, and friends who want a shared day rather than a crowded boat ride.

It is also a good fit for first-time sailors. You get an introduction without signing up for a technical sailing course. The skipper’s role is part teacher, part host, and part boat captain.

You should think twice if you dislike long crossings, get seasick easily, or want a full day on land. The trip is also not suitable for wheelchair users. The tour may be offered as a shared group outing or as a private trip, so check the option available for your date if privacy matters.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The guides speak English and French.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Les Saintes as a sailing experience, not simply as a destination. The small boat, patient instruction, homemade Creole meal, two well-placed snorkeling stops, and strong skipper feedback give it a clear personality.

Skip it if you want maximum time ashore, a short crossing, or a fully accessible boat. For the right passenger, $153 is fair because it covers nearly a full day of transport, food, swimming, sightseeing, and personal attention. Just bring sun protection, a towel, dry clothes, and enough patience for the open-water ride.

FAQ

Where does the Sailing and Snorkeling Day Tour to Les Saintes start?

The meeting point is in front of Pier 7 at the yellow gate, at Dream Nav. The departure marina is Marina Rivière-Sens in Gourbeyre, near Basse-Terre.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

How many people can join the boat?

The shared tour is limited to nine participants, creating a small-group setting onboard.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes an aperitif with juice, coconut punch, mango punch, sausage, and fish rillettes. Snacks include bananas and madeleines. Lunch includes rice, chicken colombo with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. Water, tea, and coffee are also included.

Where do you snorkel?

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

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.