Full-Day Sailing and Snorkeling Excursion to Les Saintes

Les Saintes are best appreciated from the sea, and this trip gives you nearly a full day to do exactly that. You sail from Basse-Terre across the channel, help steer under the captain’s eye, stop to snorkel and swim, and see Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut without spending the day in a tour van or ferry terminal. I especially like the small maximum group of nine and the fact that the journey is a true sailing trip, not simply a motorboat ride.

The other big plus is the food. You get snacks, drinks, and a three-course Creole lunch of rice, chicken colombo, and homemade fruit salad, with coconut punch and mango punch included. The main point to consider is that you stay aboard for the excursion: there is no on-land visit, and the swimming stops are unsupervised, so you need to be comfortable in the water or tell the skipper before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• A real sailing day: The outward journey takes about two and a half hours, with a chance to learn sailing and take the helm.
• Small-group setting: The boat carries no more than nine people, allowing more personal attention from the skipper.
• Les Saintes from the water: You see Cabrit Island, Terre-de-Haut, village houses, and the bay without a shore excursion.
• Snorkeling with a memorable stop: One swimming area includes a shipwreck near the harbor.
• Creole food onboard: Lunch includes chicken colombo, rice, fresh fruit salad, snacks, coffee, and local-style punches.
• A full nine-hour commitment: The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the marina around sunset, weather permitting.

Why this Les Saintes sailing trip feels different

Many trips to Les Saintes focus on getting you from one island to another as quickly as possible. This one treats the crossing as part of the experience. You spend about two hours and thirty minutes sailing across the channel, with time to watch the coast recede, feel the boat move under sail, and learn a few basics from the skipper.

That matters if you enjoy being on the water for its own sake. You are not simply using the sailboat as transport. The captain may explain how to steer, help you take the helm, and show you simple sailing techniques. One particularly nice touch is the chance to learn a sailor’s knot. You do not need sailing experience, but you do need to enjoy an active day at sea.

The return crossing is shorter, roughly one hour and thirty minutes in the stated plan. If the wind and conditions allow, you can again take part in steering. The return to Riviere-Sens Marina around sunset gives the day a satisfying finish, though the exact arrival time will depend on weather and sea conditions.

Leaving from Riviere-Sens Marina at 9:00 a.m.

You meet at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina and return afterward. Build in enough time to find the meeting point and settle in before the 9:00 a.m. start.

The tour is limited to nine people. That size is useful here because a sailboat can feel crowded when too many people are aboard. A small group also gives you a better chance to ask questions, take the helm, and get direct help from the skipper.

The crew has included captains such as Mathieu, Raphaëlle, Didier, Olivier, Phillip, Robin, and Antoine on different departures. The exact skipper can vary, but the experience is designed around a friendly captain who handles the boat, explains the route, and helps with the sailing lesson. Mathieu, in particular, has been praised for combining captain duties with cooking, coffee making, drink service, and local explanations.

Bring practical sun and sea gear. You will want swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, although the supplied information does not specify whether towels or snorkeling equipment are provided. Bottled water is included, as are snacks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks. If you do not swim, tell the skipper before departure.

The two-hour crossing to Les Saintes

The channel crossing is the longest single part of the day, so your enjoyment depends on how much you like open-water sailing. The boat is under sail for the journey to Les Saintes, and the crossing gives you time to watch the coastline, learn how the boat works, and settle into the slower pace of a day at sea.

I like this part because it gives the trip a sense of purpose. You are not merely appearing at Les Saintes after a short transfer. You are approaching the islands from the water, as sailors have long done, with the view changing gradually as you go.

The captain is also a teacher during this stretch. You can learn basic steering and take the helm if you wish. This is not a formal sailing course, and the captain remains responsible for the boat, but it adds a hands-on element that a standard sightseeing cruise usually lacks.

Sea conditions can affect comfort. A full crossing takes time, and a boat can move more than a ferry or a large ship. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Seeing Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut from the water

Once you reach the Les Saintes area, the captain chooses the best points to see from the boat. The route includes views toward Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut, along with a motorized tour past the village houses.

The important detail is that this is not a land visit. You will not get off to walk through the village, browse shops, or visit sights on shore. Instead, you see the islands as a coastal panorama, with the skipper explaining places and pointing out features from the water.

That format suits you if your priority is swimming, sailing, and scenery. It is less suitable if you want several hours on land. The boat-based view has its own reward: you see the shape of the bay, the waterfront homes, and the islands as a whole rather than as a series of streets.

The bay is UNESCO-listed, adding some context to the setting, but the tour does not promise a formal heritage talk or a museum visit. Expect informal explanations from the skipper, with the focus kept on the water, the route, and the island setting.

Snorkeling near an accessible spot and a shipwreck

The swimming and snorkeling stops are among the strongest reasons to book. You stop at an accessible spot within the bay, and one highlight is snorkeling near a shipwreck in the harbor area. That wreck gives you something specific to look for instead of only open water and fish.

Another favored area is near the small Pain de Sucre beach, where the apnea and snorkeling have been described as excellent. The captain chooses accessible locations, but the stops are unsupervised. You remain responsible for your own swimming, so be realistic about your ability.

If you are a confident swimmer, this setup offers freedom. You can get in, explore, and return to the boat without being rushed through a tightly managed group activity. If you are not a swimmer, tell the skipper before leaving. Parents should also judge the stops based on their children’s comfort and ability, since the tour welcomes children whose families enjoy adventure and nature but does not provide supervised swimming.

The snorkeling details are practical rather than equipment-heavy. The supplied information confirms snorkeling and swimming at accessible spots, but does not state that masks, fins, or flotation devices are included. Ask Reve de Nav before departure if you need to confirm equipment.

A Creole lunch served on deck

Lunch is a real part of the experience, not an afterthought. The main meal includes rice, chicken colombo seasoned with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. The colombo gives you a taste of Guadeloupean cooking while keeping the meal filling enough for a long afternoon on the water.

Before or around lunch, the aperitif includes juice, coconut punch, mango punch made with mangoes from the garden, sausage, and fish rillettes. Coffee and tea are also included, along with bottled water. Bananas and madeleines provide simple snacks during the day.

The food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of the outing, along with the skipper’s hospitality. Captains such as Mathieu and Phillip have been described as capable cooks as well as skilled sailors. That combination makes the boat feel more personal than a standard excursion with prepackaged snacks.

There is one food point to handle in advance. The standard meal is chicken colombo, but a free composed salad with rice, egg, feta, and lettuce is available for people who do not eat chicken. You need to request that option more than 36 hours before departure.

What the skipper adds to the day

The captain is central to the quality of this trip. You are spending nine hours on a small boat, so a calm and attentive crew member makes a large difference. The best version of the day includes clear safety instructions, easy conversation, sailing guidance, local information, and a willingness to adjust the pace.

Mathieu has been noted for explaining the history and nature of Guadeloupe and Les Saintes while also managing the boat and meals. Raphaëlle has been praised for her captaincy, while Didier has been described as a smooth navigator who handles the boat gently. Olivier, Phillip, Robin, and Antoine have also led departures that included sailing instruction and a relaxed group atmosphere.

You should not expect one fixed personality or one guaranteed captain. The crew changes by departure. What appears consistent is the small-group format and the emphasis on professional, friendly service.

A good skipper also knows when to let the day breathe. You get time to look around, swim, eat, and enjoy the crossing without a constant stream of scheduled activities. That relaxed rhythm is a major part of the appeal.

Is $179.01 good value for nine hours?

At $179.01 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Les Saintes. You are paying more than a simple transfer because the price covers a full day aboard a sailboat, a captain, sailing instruction, snorkeling and swimming stops, a motorized look at the village, snacks, drinks, and a three-course meal.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and water activities. You also get a maximum group of nine, which is a meaningful difference from a large cruise. The chance to steer the boat adds something personal and educational, especially if you have never sailed before.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want to walk around Terre-de-Haut. Since there is no on-land visit, you would need a different excursion if shops, beaches, restaurants, or village streets are your main goal.

I would view this as a full sailing experience that includes Les Saintes, rather than a conventional Les Saintes sightseeing tour. Book it for time on the water first, and island views second.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families who enjoy a slower, hands-on day outdoors. It is a good choice if you like meeting a small group, learning a little about sailing, swimming from the boat, and sharing a meal with the crew and other passengers.

Children can join when their parents are comfortable with the adventure and nature focus. Because the swimming stops are unsupervised, parents need to take full responsibility in the water.

The tour is less suitable for anyone who wants a short transfer, a guaranteed shore visit, or a tightly guided sightseeing schedule. It may also be a poor fit if you are uncomfortable on open water or cannot manage a full nine-hour outing.

The operator advises anyone with a disability to contact them before booking to confirm suitability. That is especially important on a sailboat, where access and movement can vary by vessel and sea conditions.

Cancellation, weather, and planning details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The trip depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

The mobile ticket is convenient, but it does not remove the need to reach the meeting point yourself. Since the day ends back at the starting location, plan your transportation for both directions.

Should you book the Les Saintes sailing excursion?

Book this if you want a full day under sail, a small group, hands-on steering, good food, and swimming stops that include a shipwreck. The trip’s strongest features are its relaxed pace, attentive skippers, and the way it lets you experience Les Saintes from the water rather than rushing through a shore itinerary.

Think twice if your main aim is to spend time on land. You will not explore Terre-de-Haut on foot, and the swimming is unsupervised. For confident swimmers and people who enjoy the sea, $179.01 is a fair price for nine hours of sailing, food, local guidance, and water time. For everyone else, choose based on the boat experience, not simply the destination.

FAQ

How long does the sailing excursion last?

The experience lasts about nine hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point at Riviere-Sens Marina around sunset.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at 1040 Boulevard Amédée Valeau in Gourbeyre, Guadeloupe. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included. You need to arrange transportation to and from the meeting point.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of nine travelers.

Can I steer the sailboat?

Yes. The skipper provides a sailing initiation, and you may have the chance to take the helm under supervision.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes rice, chicken colombo made with fresh turmeric and ginger, and homemade fruit salad. Snacks, an aperitif, bottled water, coffee, tea, coconut punch, and mango punch are also included.

Is there a meal option for people who do not eat chicken?

Yes. A composed salad with rice, egg, feta, and lettuce is available at no extra cost. You must request it more than 36 hours before departure.

Is there a visit on land at Les Saintes?

No. The experience does not include an on-land visit. You see parts of Les Saintes from the boat, including village houses, Cabrit Island, and Terre-de-Haut.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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