Guadeloupe Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe consists of the butterfly-shaped islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, and the neighboring La Desirade, Marie-Galante and Les Saintes, listed by Jacques Cousteau among the world’s top 10 dive sites.

COORDINATES: 16º15N, 61º35W

LANGUAGE: French (official), Creole (spoken). English is spoken by professionals and those employed in tourism.

CAPITAL: Basse-Terre

WEATHER: Tropical climate tempered by northeast trade winds. Temperature on the coast varies between 25C-28C (77F-82F). The "Creole Lent" is the dry season (Dec-Apr) and winter is the wet season (Jul-Sept/Oct).

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: December-April

AIRPORTS: The Point-a-Pitre International Airport (PTP) serves inter-Caribbean and intercontinental flights.

TIME: UTC-4

CURRENCY: EUR; USD accepted but change might be given in euro. Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted in major establishments; ATMs and money exchange available.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan - New Year's Day
6 Jan - Epiphany
Feb/Mar - Ash Wednesday
Mar/Apr - Easter Monday
1 May - Labor Day
8 May - Victory Day
27 May - Abolition Day
May/Jun - Ascension Day, Whit Monday
14 Jul - Bastille Day
21 Jul - Schoelcher Day
15 Aug - Assumption
1 Nov - All Saints Day
11 Nov - Armistice
25 Dec - Christmas Day

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Dock Martin Marina, Le Gosier, Petit Bourg, Port Louis

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: Le Gosier, La Grande-Anse, La Porte d'Enfer, Anse du Souffleur, Iles des Saintes

CULTURAL: The region is a mix of different influences, including African, European, West Indian and American. The ambiance of the islands is very relaxed and informal. Casual dress is accepted everywhere, but dressing formally is required when dining out or in nightclubs. Beachwear should not be worn on the streets.