Grande-Terre
Grande-Terre is Guadeloupe's flat eastern island, visited for beaches, Creole food and easy drives, with Pointe-à-Pitre as the base.
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Grande-Terre is the eastern of Guadeloupe's two main islands, a French overseas department in the Lesser Antilles. A narrow channel separates it from Basse-Terre, the wetter, mountainous island to the west. Grande-Terre is lower and flatter, with sandy beaches along its southern and eastern coasts. Pointe-à-Pitre, the island's main port and commercial city, is here, and so is the archipelago's main airport.
Visitors come for beach days, Creole cooking and drives between coves and small towns. Pointe des Châteaux, the easternmost point, has a rocky coast exposed to the trade winds. Two to three days cover the main beaches and the eastern tip, and a day trip to Basse-Terre's rainforest is possible, though the drive is longer. The drier months, December to May, suit beach weather best. June to November falls in hurricane season, so check the forecast before you book.
Grande-Terre in five
- Rent a car at Pointe-à-Pitre airportPublic transport between Grande-Terre's beaches is limited, so a rental car is the practical way to reach them. Traffic drives on the right, as in France.Getting around
- Carry euros for beach stallsThe currency is the euro. Beach stalls and small markets do not always take cards, so keep small notes on you.Money and costs
- Check your roaming before you landAsk your carrier whether your plan covers Guadeloupe, or buy an eSIM for the trip before you fly.Phones and eSIM
- Check the hurricane season before you bookHurricane season covers the summer and autumn months, with the highest risk from August to October. Compare cancellation terms on flights and rooms, and confirm your travel insurance covers storms.Travel insurance
- Carry your passport on day tripsGuadeloupe is a French overseas department, so French ID rules apply. Carry your passport or national ID card on ferries and day trips.Visas and entry
Things to do in Grande-Terre
See all attractions in Grande-Terre
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Visa rules follow French rules; check your passport on France-Visas Read more
- Emergency
- 112 EU-wide; 17 police, 18 fire, 15 medical
- Tipping
- Service is included by law; rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, sunny
- MarchDry, sunny
- AprilDry, warming up
- MayDry, warm
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHot, showers
- AugustStorm season
- SeptemberStorm season
- OctoberStorm season
- NovemberHurricane season
- DecemberDry, festive
Right now in Grande-Terre
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 93%
Grande-Terre
06:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°27°93%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Tue30°25°59%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Wed29°25°27%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu29°25°35%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Fri29°25°67%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat29°25°61%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sun29°24°52%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 52%.
Updated 04:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Pointe des Châteauxabout 40 to 50 minutes by carThe eastern tip of the island, with cliffs, waves and a short walk to the lookout.
- Sainte-Anneabout 20 to 30 minutes by carA beach town with white sand and beach bars, busier at weekends.
- Basse-Terre rainforestabout 1 hour by carRainforest trails and waterfalls in Guadeloupe National Park, across the channel.
Before you go to Grande-Terre
Rules for Grande-Terre, checked
- Check visa and entry rules for your passport on France-Visas before you book.Source
- Carry your passport or national ID card on day trips; French police can ask to see it.
- Leave shells, coral and sand where you find them; removing them in protected marine areas is prohibited.
- Ask the car rental company which driving license and minimum age apply, and drive on the right.
Plan around Grande-Terre
The city and airport gateway on Grande-Terre's south-west coast.
Read the guideGetting around Grande-TerreCar rental, taxis and what to expect on the island's roads.
Read the guideWhere to stay on Grande-TerrePointe-à-Pitre for the city, or beach towns on the south-east coast.
Read the guideMoney and costsEuro prices, typical daily budgets and what to carry in cash.
Read the guideVisas and entryFrench entry rules by passport, checked before you book.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData options for Guadeloupe and roaming checks before you fly.
Read the guideGrande-Terre FAQ
Is Grande-Terre worth visiting?
Yes, for beaches and an easy base near the airport. Grande-Terre is the flatter, eastern island, with limestone coast and sandy bays. The mountains and rainforest are on Basse-Terre, across the channel.
How many days do you need on Grande-Terre?
Two to three days cover the beaches, Pointe-à-Pitre and the eastern tip. Add a day for Basse-Terre's rainforest, which is across the channel and needs a longer drive.
Where should I stay on Grande-Terre?
Pointe-à-Pitre for airport access and town restaurants, or a beach town on the south-east coast for swimming. Either way, rent a car, since beach towns are spread out.
Do I need to speak French in Guadeloupe?
French is the official language, and many people also speak Guadeloupean Creole. A few French greetings help in shops and small restaurants.
When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre?
December to May, when the weather is mostly dry. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk in August to October.
Is Grande-Terre good for a car-free trip?
Only with planning. Pointe-à-Pitre can be explored on foot, but the beaches are spread out, so you will need taxis or a tour to reach them.