Malendure Beach - Our Complete Guide

Malendure Beach is a very well‑known area of Basse‑Terre Island in Guadeloupe. In fact, most visitors who come to Guadeloupe stop at this famous spot, especially to swim with the local turtles. I have to admit that, at first glance, it wasn’t a place we particularly recommended, because it’s often packed with tourists and not exactly pleasant. But more recently, during our stay at Jardin des Îlets in Bouillante, we were surprised to have a really good time on this beautiful Malendure Beach.

It has to be said that there was virtually no one there. We visited in the low season (May) and there were very few tourists. I was even quite surprised to see so few people on the beach. Admittedly, we were there early in the morning with the kids, but even in the middle of the morning it was really fine. Whereas in high season, when you drop by, the beach can literally be packed with people.

So, without further ado, here’s a little guide to Malendure Beach: what you need to know, what you can do there, the different possibilities… in short, everything is here!

If you’re passing through the area, we’ve also just published a guide to discover things to do and see in Bouillante.

This is obviously the main reason people come to discover Malendure Beach. The beach itself is clearly not the most beautiful in the world, especially given how busy it can get, but it still has one real attraction: the turtles. The beach itself lies right by the road. In reality, you’ll realize there are two beaches: the main Malendure Beach and what people call “little Malendure.” The latter is located just north of the larger one. Being smaller, it can quickly feel crowded, especially in high season.

As for the turtles, it will, of course, depend on the seasons, because we’re not in a zoo. Sometimes they’re on the left, sometimes on the right, sometimes a little farther out. But overall, there’s always a good chance of seeing them with fins, mask and snorkel. All you have to do is set off from the beach and swim in search of these lovely little creatures! You’ll often be able to find them in the seagrass beds, those large patches of grass stuck to the seabed where turtles often come to feed. It probably goes without saying, but obviously you shouldn’t touch the turtles or get too close. On their own, they will sometimes come to see you without any problem.

In any case, I recommend arriving early if you want to enjoy the place, especially in high season (roughly November to March). If you’re an early riser, I’d say showing up around 7 a.m. is a very good idea, because it’s still cool and the bulk of the tourists haven’t arrived yet. By 9 a.m., after your snorkeling session, you can head off again, haha!

When you come to explore Malendure Beach, you can certainly consider a large number of activities. I’ve summarized the five main ones below.

Of course, this is what we recommend most. It’s economical, great fun, eco‑friendly, and you’ll spend an extraordinary morning or day out. Ideally, I advise setting off early, as soon as the kayak rentals open; that way you avoid the crowds of tourists that can be there in high season.

On the schedule: about half an hour’s paddle across if the sea isn’t too rough, and once there you can snorkel to discover the marine life. Don’t forget to climb onto the little islets for beautiful views of the surroundings.

I particularly recommend this provider, which you can book through Manawa, an activity website we’ve been recommending and using for years.

This is also an option for people who are afraid of the water but still want to discover the underwater beauties of the Cousteau Reserve. It’s not necessarily our top recommendation, as we were only moderately impressed. However, it’s a pleasant little outing that will give you great views of the area from the boat and, of course, let you watch what’s happening underwater. I’d say it’s ideal mainly for those who aren’t comfortable in the water. For everyone else, it’s better to take a kayak trip or a fins‑mask‑snorkel outing with a provider.

We had this great experience with the dive club Les Heures Saines. As always, everything will depend on your scuba‑diving experience. If you’ve already dived all over the world, you may well be disappointed by the Cousteau Reserve. But if it’s your first dive or you only have a few dives under your belt, you’ll discover a wonderful underwater world without a doubt.

For more details, here’s the outing we did with Les Heures Saines.

We haven’t yet had the chance to try canyoning in Guadeloupe, but our friend Valérie had a great session with Vert Intense at the foot of La Soufrière.

Near Malendure Beach you’ll find possibilities with some companies that take you to explore the Bois Malaisé waterfalls. This canyon has an excellent local reputation, and we need to try it with Mélanie!

You can also find several providers on Malendure Beach offering whale‑watching trips in season, or sea excursions to see dolphins. I don’t yet have a specific address to recommend, but as soon as I test something, I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, if you like this kind of outing, it can be really cool to do!

I’ll finish with a little nod to the subject, because indeed you’ll find many small stalls selling more‑or‑less local products: pareos, clothes and so on! Why not?

As usual, a few quick words for a handy corner!

Everything naturally depends on where you’re starting from! As this article is mainly aimed at a French‑speaking audience (even though we then translate it into several languages), most of you will probably be coming from France, Belgium, Switzerland or Quebec. In recent years, flight prices have really skyrocketed, especially from France. Depending on the season, you now need to count on between €500 and €1,000 for a return ticket. The days of €350 return fares from Paris are unfortunately behind us, haha. From Quebec, prices are generally around €500–€600, whatever the period.

Once in Guadeloupe, I highly recommend renting a car so you can enjoy your stay in complete independence. Public transport is fairly limited and impractical, which can quickly make getting around difficult.

You’ll land at Pointe‑à‑Pitre Airport. The town of Bouillante is about an hour’s drive away, via the Route de la Traversée, which lets you cross from the east coast to the west coast by the beautiful Col des Mamelles and already gives you a good overview of the beauty of the interior of Basse‑Terre Island. Even if your flight arrives late, it’s perfectly possible to reach your accommodation straight away.

That’s a question we’re often asked, and with good reason: where to stay in Bouillante? To be honest, you’ll be spoiled for choice. There’s a really wide range of accommodation, for all tastes and budgets. It’s a tourist area, so it’s well developed in that respect.

Rather than giving you an endless list, we chose a few favorites:

• Le Jardin des Îlets : Clearly our favorite accommodation in Bouillante, by far! We’ve stayed there six nights over two trips and loved it every time. The location is perfect: only a five‑minute walk from Malendure Beach, ideal for swimming with the turtles or simply enjoying the sun. The view is magnificent, the units are well designed with equipped kitchens, and you can even have breakfast delivered. In short, for us it’s flawless. We talk about it in more detail in a full article; feel free to take a look!
• Gites La Nantillaise : Another very good address. Here you’ll find three rooms with a shared pool, all in a modern, well‑maintained setting. The welcome is really warm. If you ask me, a great option if you’re looking for comfort and peace.
• Les Gîtes Kajou : Located on the heights just before reaching the town center of Bouillante, these gîtes enjoy an excellent reputation. You’ll have your own little one‑bedroom house, well equipped, clean, with a terrace, garden and pool. A pleasant setting for a quiet stay, with everything you need!

Here are a few good addresses we’ve had the chance to try — and enjoy! There are plenty of others, but these are well worth a look:

• Galet Beach – Located at Anse à Sable, this small seaside restaurant offers a simple, relaxing setting with your feet (almost) in the water. The cuisine has local influences, ideal for a friendly dinner for two or with friends in a laid‑back atmosphere.
• La Touna – Facing the Pigeon Islets, this address stands out for refined bistronomic cuisine where Caribbean flavors meet French tradition. The plates are carefully prepared, the view splendid: a sure bet for a quality meal with a breathtaking setting.
• Sunset B – We love it! A charming Creole house, a warm ambiance, and local cuisine revisited with flair. Special mention for its short, well‑designed menu.
  Le Rocher de Malendure – A simple address known for its grilled fish and seafood. The main attraction: a large terrace overlooking the sea and Malendure Beach, often animated by the comings and goings of divers. It’s a decent option, especially if you want to enjoy the panorama.
• Òganik – If you’re craving pizza, this is the place to go. Thin crust, wood‑fired baking, quality ingredients… all in a cool, no‑frills atmosphere. A great surprise we wholeheartedly recommend.

That’s it; I’ll stop here with this discovery of  Malendure  Beach. Between its volcanic scenery, its seabed and its good addresses nearby, it’s clearly a must‑see during a stay on Basse‑Terre. I hope this article makes you want to drop by, whether for a day of snorkeling, a sunset stroll or a good meal facing the sea.

Feel free to read our guide to the hot springs in Guadeloupe.

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

Since 2021, I've been living in the Guadeloupe archipelago with Mélanie and our two children. We are exploring these beautiful islands and discovering the treasures that we are happy to share with you!

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