Full-Day Sailing and Snorkeling Excursion to Les Saintes

The best part of this day is that Les Saintes arrives by sailboat, not by a crowded ferry. You spend roughly two hours and thirty minutes crossing the channel, then explore the islands from the water, with time to snorkel, swim near a wreck, and see the village by boat. I like the chance to take the helm under instruction, and I like that the day includes a proper Creole meal instead of a rushed sandwich.

The main consideration is simple: you spend almost the entire nine hours on the boat. There is no on-land visit, hotel pickup, or hotel drop-off, and the swimming stops are unsupervised. If you want time to stroll Terre-de-Haut, shop, or visit Fort Napoléon, this is not that kind of Les Saintes trip.

Key points to know before booking

• A true sailing day: The crossing is made under sail, with a sailing lesson and the option to steer alongside the captain.
• A small group of up to nine: The limited capacity makes it easier to ask questions and find space on deck.
• Five hours around Les Saintes: Snorkel in an accessible spot, swim near a shipwreck, enjoy lunch, and see the village from the water.
• A generous food and drink package: Expect bananas, madeleines, aperitifs, coconut punch, mango punch, coffee, and a three-course Creole lunch.
• A boat-based view of Terre-de-Haut: You see the homes and shoreline by motorized boat, but you do not go ashore.
• Sunset return: The day ends back at Riviere-Sens Marina after the sail home, scheduled for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What this sailing day is really about

Reve de Nav’s excursion is best understood as a full day of seamanship, food, and swimming with Les Saintes as the setting. The aim is not to tick off every sight on land. It is to let you feel the passage between Basse-Terre and the islands, learn a little about sailing, and spend long, unhurried stretches on the water.

The tour costs $179.01 per person. That is not a bargain ferry ride, but the price includes a nine-hour outing, a skipper, sailing instruction, snacks, drinks, alcohol, coffee, and lunch. Since the group is capped at nine people, you are also paying for a more personal boat experience rather than simple transport.

The strongest praise centers on the skippers. Mathieu is repeatedly described as a capable captain who also handles coffee, drinks, lunch, and explanations about the islands. Other departures may be led by Raphaëlle, Didier, Olivier, Robin, Antoine, or Phillip. The exact skipper may vary, but the experience clearly depends on having someone who can manage the boat while keeping the day social and informative.

Starting at 9 a.m. in Gourbeyre

You meet at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, near Riviere-Sens Marina, at 9 a.m. You need to make your own way there because hotel transport is not included. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

That detail matters when you plan your day. You should allow time to reach the marina and avoid pairing this trip with another fixed morning activity. The sailing schedule is built around a full day at sea, with the return expected around sunset.

The boat carries no more than nine people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the sociable feel of a shared outing, but the group is small enough for the skipper to explain knots, answer questions, and offer the helm to those who want it.

Before leaving, anyone who cannot swim should tell the skipper. The swimming locations are described as accessible, but they are not supervised. You remain responsible for your own safety in the water, so this outing suits confident swimmers and people who are comfortable following the captain’s instructions.

The two-and-a-half-hour crossing to Les Saintes

The first major part of the day is the crossing from Guadeloupe toward Les Saintes. It takes about two hours and thirty minutes, which gives the trip a very different pace from a quick transfer.

This is where the sailing element earns its place. You are not simply sitting on a boat while an engine does all the work. The skipper explains basic sailing techniques and may let you take the wheel. Phillip, one of the skippers, was especially praised for teaching a sailor’s knot, while Mathieu was noted for giving clear instruction on how to steer a sailboat.

You should expect the captain to decide how much hands-on participation is suitable, based on conditions and your interest. The opportunity is a bonus, not a guaranteed private lesson. Still, it gives the crossing a purpose. You can watch the sails, learn what the skipper is doing, and take part instead of treating the journey as dead time.

The route also gives you a view of Basse-Terre from offshore. That perspective is part of the attraction. You see the island from the channel, then approach Les Saintes by water, with the shoreline and small islands gradually becoming the focus.

The trade-off is exposure to the weather and sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions are poor. A full day on a sailboat also means you should be comfortable with sun, wind, and motion before booking.

Five hours around the islands

The Les Saintes portion lasts about five hours. This is not a formal walking tour of the islands. Instead, the skipper chooses points of interest that work from the water, including Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut.

You see the village houses during a motorized boat tour. This gives you a close look at the built-up part of Les Saintes without leaving the boat. It is a pleasant way to understand the shape and character of the settlement, but you should keep your expectations clear: there is no time to wander the streets, visit a museum, browse shops, or climb to a viewpoint.

That limitation will be a major factor in your decision. If you have already explored Terre-de-Haut on foot, this boat-focused view may feel like a refreshing second look. If this is your only visit to Les Saintes, you need to accept that you are seeing the islands from offshore rather than visiting them in the usual sense.

The captain’s local commentary adds value here. The skippers explain points of interest, the history of Les Saintes, and aspects of Guadeloupe’s nature. The experience is strongest when you want context along with the scenery, not just a ride through a pretty bay.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the shipwreck stop

The water portion includes independent snorkeling at an accessible spot within the UNESCO-listed bay. You also stop to swim near a shipwreck, which has become one of the memorable features of the trip for many people.

The wreck gives the snorkeling a clear focus. Rather than simply jumping into open water, you have an object to look toward and explore around. The waters near the small beach at Pain de Sucre were also singled out as a good place for freediving and snorkeling.

Still, this is not a guided scuba or marine-life excursion. The snorkeling is independent, and swimming stops are unsupervised. You should be comfortable managing your own mask, fins, and water time. The supplied details do not promise equipment rental or a dedicated instructor, so confirm what gear is supplied before departure if you need anything specific.

I would also treat the word accessible with care. It means the skipper selects workable swimming spots, not that every person with a mobility limitation can easily enter the water or move around the boat. Anyone with a disability should contact Reve de Nav before booking to confirm suitability.

A Creole lunch served on board

Lunch is one of the more substantial parts of the day. The homemade meal includes rice, chicken colombo seasoned with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. The meal is served on the boat, so you continue enjoying the bay rather than losing time to a restaurant stop.

Before lunch, the aperitif includes juice, coconut punch, mango punch made with mangoes from the garden, sausage, and fish rillettes. Bottled water, coffee, tea, bananas, and madeleines are also included.

That is a generous spread for a day trip, and it changes the rhythm of the outing. You have a proper pause after the water activities, not just a snack between stops. The food also gives the excursion a local flavor that a standard boat transfer would not provide.

There is one useful dietary detail to know. The standard main dish is chicken colombo. If you do not eat chicken, a composed salad with rice, egg, feta, and salad can be requested free of charge, but the request must be made more than 36 hours before departure. Do not wait until boarding to mention it.

Alcohol is included, including the coconut and mango punches. Drink sensibly, especially if you plan to swim afterward. The skipper remains responsible for the boat, but you remain responsible for your own choices in the water.

The sail back and sunset arrival

After the Les Saintes stops, the boat heads back toward Basse-Terre. The return sail takes about one hour and thirty minutes, shorter than the outward crossing as scheduled.

This is another chance to take the helm if conditions and the captain allow. By this point, you have already seen how the boat handles, so the return can feel less like a lesson and more like a relaxed final stretch of the day.

The planned arrival is around sunset at Riviere-Sens Marina. That timing gives the outing a satisfying finish, but it also means you should avoid booking a dinner reservation that requires a precise arrival time. Weather and sailing conditions can affect the schedule.

The long return is not a weakness if you enjoy being on the water. It can feel slow if you want constant activity. I would bring sun protection and clothes suited to wind and spray, although the tour includes snacks, drinks, and onboard food to break up the hours.

How the small group affects the experience

A maximum of nine people is one of the strongest practical features. You have a better chance of seeing the skipper’s demonstrations, asking questions, and taking part in the sailing than you would on a large catamaran.

A small boat also means the social side matters. The day works best when you enjoy sharing a deck, a meal, and swimming stops with other people. Several comments describe a friendly atmosphere, but no small-group tour can guarantee that every group will click.

The guides appear to be central to the quality of the day. Names connected with the departures include Mathieu, Raphaëlle, Didier, Olivier, Robin, Antoine, and Phillip. Their roles go beyond steering. They may teach sailing, explain the islands, prepare food, serve drinks, and keep an eye on the group.

That variety is a real advantage, but it also means your experience may differ slightly depending on who is at the helm. The consistent themes are professional boat handling, friendly service, and an emphasis on participation.

Who should book this Les Saintes excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination. It suits people who want:

• A full day under sail rather than a quick island transfer
• A small group and direct contact with the skipper
• Swimming and snorkeling without a formal guided dive
• Creole food and drinks included in the price
• A chance to learn basic sailing and possibly steer
• A water-level view of Terre-de-Haut and Cabrit Island

It is also a good fit for families whose children enjoy nature, adventure, and excitement, provided everyone follows the skipper’s safety advice. Children who do not swim confidently need special care because the swimming stops are unsupervised.

I would think twice if your main goal is land sightseeing. You do not get an on-land visit, and the five hours around Les Saintes are built around the boat, the bay, swimming, lunch, and views from offshore. Someone who wants Fort Napoléon, village cafés, shopping, or a long beach visit should choose a different excursion.

Practical value at $179.01

At $179.01, this is a premium day trip, but the inclusions make the price easier to understand. You are getting approximately nine hours, a small group, a professional skipper, a sailing introduction, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, alcoholic drinks, and a homemade three-course meal.

The biggest value is the format. A ferry ticket may get you to Les Saintes, but it will not give you a full day of sailing, a chance to steer, or lunch prepared aboard. On the other hand, you are paying for an experience rather than freedom to explore the island on your own.

The 4.9 rating from 177 reviews and 99 percent recommendation indicate strong satisfaction, especially with the skippers, lunch, boat handling, and relaxed day on the water. I would not treat those figures as a promise that the sea will be calm or that every passenger will love nine hours afloat. They do show that the core idea works well for people who book it for the right reasons.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and the operator can reschedule or refund the trip if bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes cancellation.

Should you book this trip?

Book it if you want Les Saintes as a sailing experience, with a skilled skipper, hands-on instruction, generous food, and swimming stops. The small group and the chance to steer make it more personal than a basic transfer, while the wreck snorkeling and sunset return give the day a clear shape.

Skip it if you want to spend the day on land or need supervised swimming. At this price, the trip is worth it for people who enjoy the boat itself. If that sounds like you, Reve de Nav’s outing offers a thoughtful and unusually complete way to see Les Saintes from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Les Saintes sailing excursion start?

It starts at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe, near Riviere-Sens Marina.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately nine hours and returns to the meeting point around sunset.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of nine participants.

Can I visit Les Saintes on land during the tour?

No. The experience does not include an on-land visit. You see the village and homes by boat.

What food and drinks are included?

Included food and drinks are bananas, madeleines, bottled water, coffee or tea, an aperitif with juice, coconut punch, mango punch, sausage, and fish rillettes, followed by rice, chicken colombo, and homemade fruit salad.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.