During our stay in Guadeloupe, we chose to discover Les Saintes on a day trip. With only 10 days there, we had to make choices, even though it’s absolutely possible to spend the night and enjoy the archipelago for longer.
We left early in the morning from Trois-Rivières to explore Terre-de-Haut, the main island of Les Saintes, completely independently.
Paradise beaches, a stroll through the village, spectacular viewpoints: here are all the best things to do in Les Saintes, our day trip itinerary and all our practical tips. I’ll end the suspense right away: it was probably one of our favourite stops!
➺ Also read: our 10-day itinerary in Guadeloupe.
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Les Saintes: One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World
The bay of Les Saintes is regularly ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world, and you only need to arrive by boat to understand why.
The scenery is striking: an almost unreal turquoise sea, volcanic hills dropping steeply into the water, and several islets forming a perfectly shaped bay.
It’s a landscape that impresses you immediately, even after travelling to other Caribbean islands.
What makes Les Saintes so unique is also this blend of spectacular nature and a peaceful little Creole village. From the ferry, the port of Terre-de-Haut or the heights of Fort Napoléon, the bay constantly reveals itself from new angles. From the moment you arrive, you’re won over!
Our Les Saintes Day Trip Itinerary
So we chose to explore Les Saintes on a day trip from Trois-Rivières, organising the visit ourselves. The ferry is quick (about 20 minutes) and already offers superb views of the archipelago.
Once we arrived in Terre-de-Haut, we picked up a golf cart right by the port. It’s clearly the most practical way to explore the island in one day.
👉 Here is our optimised itinerary:
- ⛴️ Early ferry departure from Trois-Rivières
- 🏰 Fort Napoléon as soon as you arrive (important: it closes early)
- 🌊 Swimming and snorkelling at Pain de Sucre Beach
- 🍽️ Lunch at Les Balançoires restaurant, facing the sea
- 🏝️ Afternoon between Pompierre and Anse Crawen
- 🚶♂️ Stroll through the village of Terre-de-Haut
- ⛴️ Return by ferry at the end of the day
This pace lets you see the must-sees without rushing, while fully enjoying the unique atmosphere of Les Saintes. If you’d like more time to explore other beaches, I recommend staying 2 days in Les Saintes.
Things to Do in Les Saintes: The Must-Sees in Terre-de-Haut
Wander Through the Village of Terre-de-Haut
The port of Terre-de-Haut is the heart of island life and often your first contact with the archipelago. The village is full of charm: colourful Creole houses, peaceful little streets, fishing boats… The atmosphere is relaxed and typically Caribbean.
Take the time to stroll through the streets and enjoy the view over the bay of Les Saintes. This is also where you’ll find restaurants and small shops. Don’t miss the church and the colourful town hall in the centre of Terre-de-Haut.
Go Up to Fort Napoléon for a Spectacular View
If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Les Saintes, it’s Fort Napoléon. Perched on the heights of Terre-de-Haut, it offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island, with an exceptional panorama over the bay of Les Saintes and the surrounding islets.
It’s clearly the must-see spot, whether for the visit itself or simply to enjoy the view. The site also houses a small museum dedicated to the history of the archipelago, as well as gardens where you can easily spot iguanas.
👉 Heads-up: the fort closes early in the afternoon, so it’s best to visit as soon as you arrive. We didn’t know this and went after lunch, so we weren’t able to visit it.
Tour the Island and Enjoy the Most Beautiful Viewpoints
Terre-de-Haut is small, but there are plenty of panoramas. As you travel around the island, you’ll discover several spectacular viewpoints over the sea and the volcanic hills. Morne-Mire is one of the most impressive.
This loop also lets you see a wilder side of the island, away from the village.
Enjoy the Most Beautiful Beaches in Les Saintes
Terre-de-Haut has several lovely beaches, each with its own atmosphere. Here are the three we tried.
Pompierre Beach
Pompierre Beach is one of the best-known beaches on the island. Lined with coconut palms and sheltered in a cove, it has calm, shallow water. It’s a perfect place to swim or relax in the shade of the palm trees. During our visit, though, it was quite windy and there was some sargassum… We preferred Pain de Sucre Beach, which we had discovered earlier in the day.
Pain de Sucre Beach
Pain de Sucre Beach is one of the most beautiful coves in Terre-de-Haut. Probably the one I liked most, even though it was extremely crowded! The water is very clear and the seabed is rich in fish, making it an excellent snorkelling spot.
Be careful, though: the access path can be slippery after rain.
Anse Crawen
When we were at Pain de Sucre Beach, a local told us about a quieter place where we might spot turtles… That was all it took to convince me! Anse Crawen is ideal if you’re looking for a wilder spot. However, apart from the goats on the beach, we didn’t see any other animals.
Try Tourments d’Amour
You can’t visit Les Saintes without trying this local speciality. Tourments d’amour are small tarts filled with jam (coconut, banana, pineapple or guava), topped with a thin layer of sponge cake. My favourite? Guava! Yum yum!
You can normally find them quite easily in the village… but I recommend buying them as soon as you arrive. At the end of the day, we really struggled to find any, as they often sell out.
With More Time: Hike Up Le Chameau and Visit Terre-de-Bas
You can’t do everything on a day trip. If you stay 2 days in Les Saintes, here are two things we would have loved to add.
The Morne du Chameau trail leads to the highest point on Terre-de-Haut. The climb is steep, but the view over the whole archipelago is well worth the effort. Set off early to avoid the heat.
Terre-de-Bas, the second inhabited island in the archipelago, is much quieter and more unspoilt. It can be reached by boat from Terre-de-Haut and makes a lovely day out, far from the bustle of the village.
How to Organise Your Visit to Les Saintes
There are several ways to visit Les Saintes, depending on your travel style, budget and how much time you have. The island of Terre-de-Haut is small and easy to explore, but good planning really helps you make the most of the day.
In any case, the idea remains the same: reach the island by boat from Guadeloupe, then split your time between beaches, viewpoints and the village.
Visit Les Saintes on Your Own (the Most Flexible Option)
This is the option we chose, and clearly the most enjoyable one if you like travelling independently.
After the ferry, you simply hire a vehicle in Terre-de-Haut (golf cart, scooter or bike). This lets you plan your day freely, stop wherever you want and enjoy the island’s pace. Be sure to book both the ferry and the vehicle hire in advance.
We took the ferry from Trois-Rivières, where we had chosen to sleep the night before (our accommodation in Trois-Rivières here). Free parking is available near the ferry terminal, but be careful: if you take the second ferry of the day, it may already be quite full.
👉 Pros: total freedom.
👉 Cons: you handle the planning yourself, but it’s easy.
Take an Organised Tour (Simple and Hassle-Free)
Day tours generally include return boat transfers from Guadeloupe and sometimes a guided visit of the main sights. I had spotted this one, for example: sailing and snorkelling excursion.
It’s a simple solution if you don’t want to deal with logistics or if you’re short on time.
👉 Pros: zero planning.
👉 Cons: less freedom, higher price.
Take a Catamaran Cruise
A catamaran cruise lets you discover Les Saintes from the sea, with several swimming stops in paradise coves. It’s more about relaxing and sailing than exploring the island on land.
I hesitated for a long time about booking this type of outing (this one, for example, which looked AMAZING to me). But we had already splurged on the Petite-Terre excursion, which is quite a budget in itself, so we had to make a few concessions… ha ha! I was also worried I’d feel a little frustrated not having enough time to discover Terre-de-Haut.
👉 Pros: a unique experience from the sea.
👉 Cons: little time on Terre-de-Haut and a rather expensive excursion.
Practical Tips for Visiting Les Saintes
How to Get to Les Saintes
There are several ways to reach the Les Saintes archipelago by boat. The two things to consider are the crossing time and the cost. As I mentioned above, we chose to sleep in Trois-Rivières to have the shortest crossing.
From Trois-Rivières
This is the closest and most commonly used port for reaching Terre-de-Haut. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and several ferries run every day. It’s generally the easiest option if you’re staying on Basse-Terre.
We had booked our crossing in advance (on the CTM Deher website, €62 for 2 adults and 1 child). On the way back, the company was clearly overwhelmed by the number of passengers and had to charter an extra boat, so the timetable went out of the window. Apparently, that’s quite normal… ha ha!
👉 There is free parking, small cafés for breakfast and public toilets.
From Pointe-à-Pitre
Some excursions and boat trips also leave from Pointe-à-Pitre (or nearby Le Gosier). However, they are less frequent and generally take the form of organised day trips.
➺ Also read: what to do in Pointe-à-Pitre.
From Saint-François
You can also reach Les Saintes on cruises or catamaran excursions departing from Saint-François, on Grande-Terre. These outings often sail around the archipelago with several swimming stops. Here too, it’s worth taking a look at the organised excursions!
Can You Visit Les Saintes in One Day?
Yes, and it’s even one of the most popular day trips during a stay in Guadeloupe.
Arriving in the morning and leaving in the late afternoon, you’ll have time to:
- visit the village
- go up to Fort Napoléon
- enjoy a beach
- tour the island
That said, spending a night there is an excellent idea if you want to enjoy the island in a calmer atmosphere.
Getting Around the Island by Scooter, Golf Cart or Bike
To visit Les Saintes efficiently, hiring some form of transport is almost essential. The options are:
- scooter
- golf cart
- electric bike
We chose the golf cart, ideal for families. It lets you get around easily while enjoying the scenery. We booked it in advance for about €70 for the day, and the child seat was provided free of charge. (I compared several websites, and give or take €5, they were all the same price.)
Where to Stay in Les Saintes
If you have more time, staying overnight in Les Saintes is an excellent way to enjoy the island once the day-trippers have left. The atmosphere in the evening and early morning is completely different, much calmer and more authentic.
You’ll mainly find small guesthouses, charming rentals and a few family-run hotels in Terre-de-Haut. The choice is fairly limited, which is why it’s best to book ahead, especially in high season.
Where to Eat in Les Saintes
We had lunch at Les Balançoires, a very good restaurant facing the sea. The setting is really pleasant and the food is carefully prepared, with fresh fish and generous portions. Remember to book! I had the sea bream tartare, Alcino had the tuna steak, and Lucas had homemade fish & chips: delicious!
In the village, you’ll also find several small restaurants and snack bars, perfect for a quick bite between swims or a simple lunch overlooking the port.
FAQ: Things to Do in Les Saintes and Day Trip Tips
Expand to see the most frequently asked questions about Les Saintes.
What are the best things to do in Les Saintes?
The must-sees are Fort Napoléon and its view over the bay, Pain de Sucre beach for snorkelling, Pompierre beach, a stroll through the village of Terre-de-Haut and tasting tourments d’amour. With more time, you can also hike up Le Chameau or explore Terre-de-Bas.
Can you visit Les Saintes in one day?
Yes, it is entirely possible to visit Terre-de-Haut on a day trip. By leaving early in the morning from Trois-Rivières and taking the ferry back in the late afternoon, you will have time to see the island’s main highlights.
How do you get to Les Saintes from Guadeloupe?
Les Saintes can be reached by boat from Trois-Rivières, Pointe-à-Pitre or Saint-François. There are also various excursions, some of which depart from Deshaies. Keep an eye on the crossing time: from Trois-Rivières, it only takes about 20 minutes.
How much is the ferry to Les Saintes?
We paid €62 for 2 adults and 1 child with CTM Deher, departing from Trois-Rivières. Prices vary depending on the departure port and the season.
Do you need to book the ferry to Les Saintes?
Yes, it is advisable to book in advance, especially during school holidays and the high tourist season.
Do you need to hire a vehicle in Les Saintes?
It is almost essential if you want to see everything on a day trip. Scooters, golf carts and electric bikes can be hired near the port in Terre-de-Haut. We paid around €70 for the day for a golf cart, child seat included.
What is the most beautiful beach in Les Saintes?
Pompierre beach is the most famous, with its coconut palms and calm water. Pain de Sucre beach is also very popular for its wild setting and its seabed, which is perfect for snorkelling. Personally, my favourite is Pain de Sucre beach.
Terre-de-Haut or Terre-de-Bas: which island should you visit?
For a first visit, especially on a day trip, choose Terre-de-Haut: it is home to Fort Napoléon, the most beautiful beaches and the village. Terre-de-Bas, which is quieter, is worth adding if you are staying for several days.
How long should you stay in Les Saintes?
One day is enough to discover the main sites of Terre-de-Haut. However, spending a night on the island lets you enjoy it in a much quieter atmosphere.
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Even if you only spend one day there, you quickly understand why Les Saintes is one of the most beautiful places in Guadeloupe. Between the beaches, the volcanic landscapes and the peaceful atmosphere of Terre-de-Haut, this stop remains one of our best memories from the trip. And honestly? We would happily have stayed longer.