Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin mangroves

To fully discover Guadeloupe, a small excursion to the mangroves and a trek through the marshy forest are essential.

Visitors often start in Sainte-Rose, Basse-Terre. From here, excursions through the mangroves can be done in a variety of ways: by boat, kayak, or in electric mini-catamarans with or without a guide. For people who want to know more about Guadeloupe and the natural history of this part of the island, we advise you to go with a guide who can share what they know about this natural landscape with you.

The mangroves make up an immense forest that sits in shallow water made up of both fresh and saltwater. From swamp forest to coral reef the mangroves serve as a nursery for hundreds of species of fish, crustaceans and birds, and act as a dam protecting North Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre. It is a fragile ecosystem hosting fish, birds, crabs, sponges, shrimps, lobsters, mangrove Cassiopeia jellyfish, raccoons, rats, mongooses... as well as various varieties of mangrove trees (gray, black, white or red), all opening onto the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin and its islets. As you approach of the roots of mangroves, you may feel something nibbling on your skin… say hello to the yen-yen! Unlike mosquitoes, their bites normally do not cause swelling.

Warning: be careful not to get sunburned, even between the mazes of mangroves the sun peeks through to kiss the skin, leaving behind red burns! Remember to wear sunscreen.