Activities in Les Saintes with Loisirs aux Saintes

Having lived in Guadeloupe for just over three years, more specifically in the southern part of Basse-Terre, we’re lucky to have easy access to the Les Saintes archipelago, just off the coast of Trois-Rivières. In a recent article, I shared our thoughts on a wonderful boat trip with Mawaly Excursion around the Les Saintes archipelago.

Between Christmas and New Year’s, we had the chance to spend a long weekend in this archipelago we love so much. Once again, thanks to a partnership between Manawa and, this time, Loisirs aux Saintes, we were able to discover several of the activities they offer. We tried assisted paddleboarding, transparent kayaking, and even Seabob, a fun activity the whole family enjoyed—including little Téo.

As always, we want to be clear that we chose to write this article and retained complete control over every word and opinion. We were not paid to publish it.

So, without further ado, let me tell you about our experiences with Loisirs aux Saintes in Les Saintes.

To make sure you don’t miss anything, take a look at our detailed Les Saintes itinerary before you go.

If you’re considering other activities in Guadeloupe, we loved paddleboarding through the mangroves in Morne-à-L’Eau, as well as the microlight flight over Pointe des Châteaux and La Désirade.

If you’re looking for something different to do during your stay, take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Guadeloupe!

We’d heard of Loisirs aux Saintes before, but I have to admit we’d never taken the time to stop by and learn more about everything they offer. The day before our activities, while walking around the town center, we dropped in to say hello to Olivier at the company’s recently opened base. I’ll tell you more about it below, but for now, just know that Loisirs aux Saintes has two watersports bases: the original one at Hôtel Bois Joli and a second one right in the town center, between Chez Rodolphe and Ti Kaz’là.

After our lovely boat trip with Mawaly Excursion—the link is at the top of this article—we drove our little car to Hôtel Bois Joli on the other side of the island to try our first activity of the afternoon: the Seabob. I’d only seen photos and heard a little about it, but neither Mélanie nor I had ever tried one.

We discovered the base when we arrived. Loisirs aux Saintes is located at the far end of the beach at Hôtel Bois Joli. A little side note: during our first stay on Terre-de-Haut, we spent three days at this hotel and really enjoyed it. The setting is very pleasant, with a swimming pool and a beautiful beach directly in front of the property. If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful, away from the crowds that sometimes fill the town center, it’s a very good place to stay, and we’d recommend it.

Anyway, back to the activity. As I mentioned, the watersports base is at the far end of the beach. The scenery was beautiful that afternoon, with vivid colors across the lagoon and fairly calm water—ideal conditions for what we were about to do.

We met Sara, who had been living on Terre-de-Haut for ten years and previously owned a restaurant that has since closed, which is a shame. She explained everything we needed to know about the Seabob because, let’s be honest, we were complete beginners. In simple terms, it’s a bit like a miniature jet ski that you hold in front of you with your arms extended. You can use it to glide across the surface or dive underwater and explore the seabed. Of course, how long you stay below the surface depends on your freediving ability, but if you’re comfortable underwater, it’s a real treat.

We had booked two Seabobs so we could all give them a try. Sara explained that each one has four manually controlled speed settings, selected by pressing a small trigger on the handlebars. Since we had the two kids with us, we decided to take turns. I went first so I could get used to the machine. I have to say, I was surprised by how powerful it was. At speed one or two, it moves very smoothly, letting you take in the scenery at a relaxed pace. As soon as you switch to three or four, though, it really picks up speed and power, which feels great. My first attempt at diving underwater wasn’t exactly a success. You have to start by pitching forward, almost as if you were trying to dive headfirst into the sea like a duck.

After a few attempts, however, you get the hang of it. Once underwater, I was amazed by the force with which the machine propels you forward. It’s a real thrill and, above all, it lets you stay underwater for around ten seconds to look at the coral and tropical fish in the area. When I was younger—and yes, I’m saying that now that I’m in my forties—I probably could have stayed down much longer, but these days I tire fairly quickly. Sara had also explained that the machine cannot go deeper than 2.5 meters, which, between you and me, is already enough to get close to plenty of underwater wonders. Even below the surface, you still have to manage the machine’s power and learn to control where it takes you. Turning is a little like riding a motorcycle: you lean to one side to change direction.

In short, it feels fantastic. After a few minutes, I headed back to the beach to pick up Louis. Sara explained that children his age cannot use the Seabob alone because it is too powerful for them to control. Louis and I spent around 15 to 20 minutes on it together, having as much fun as two kids. Honestly, he was having the time of his life and even told me it was his favorite part of the weekend. That said, carrying a 25-kilogram child on your back while trying to dive is a whole other challenge, haha.

Téo wanted to come with me next, but he was much less confident. As long as I moved slowly, he was fine, but the moment we picked up speed, things became a little dramatic. Then Super Mom arrived. Mélanie took over, first trying the Seabob on her own to get comfortable with it, just as I had earlier. She then put Téo on her back and, as if by magic, he was no longer afraid. It just goes to show how powerful moms can be.

Like us, they spent about 20 minutes exploring the bay. Téo quickly got the hang of it and even asked Mélanie to dive. Better still, he managed to go underwater with her for a few seconds several times, even though only a few months earlier he couldn’t swim at all. It just goes to show how much we can all progress.

We had a 9 a.m. appointment on Sunday morning to try the transparent kayaks, which sounded ideal given the color of the water and the seabed in the area. Although the weather was fine, we quickly realized when we arrived at the Hôtel Bois Joli beach that there was a strong swell and the outing might be complicated. That was especially concerning because we were also supposed to go paddleboarding immediately afterward.

We spoke with Sacha, who alternates with Sara in leading the activities. Everyone was understandably hesitant about sending us out in transparent kayaks with two young children in those conditions. In the end, we decided to give it a try, and the four of us set off in two clear kayaks. For once, Mélanie and I weren’t in the same kayak, so at least we couldn’t argue. I went with Louis, while Mélanie paired up with Téo.

Despite the swell, it turned out to be easier than I’d expected. The start was admittedly a little rough, with the waves hitting us head-on, but things soon settled down, and Louis helped as much as he could with all the strength of a nine-year-old. We paddled toward Pain de Sucre Beach, where the swell quickly eased once we were sheltered by the impressive rock. Reaching Pain de Sucre was the best part: the water was beautiful, and through the kayaks we could see coral, colorful sponges, and tropical fish below us. It would have been even better with calmer conditions and slightly nicer weather, but we still had a wonderful time. The four of us were together as a family, enjoying the moment, and that’s what really mattered.

After an hour of kayaking, we headed back to the hotel beach where we had started. With the current and swell pushing us along, the return trip was fairly easy.

As I mentioned, we were also supposed to try assisted paddleboarding, but the sea was too rough to do it right away. Following Sacha’s advice, we went to get something to eat and returned at 2 p.m. to see whether the swell had eased. Spoiler: it had, and the afternoon conditions looked much better.

We returned at around 2 p.m. after having lunch at the seaside restaurant Les Balançoires. We’d already been there on our previous trip to Les Saintes, and I have to admit it’s always a pleasure to go back. It’s a lovely spot right beside a small beach with turquoise water. Reservations are essential because the restaurant fills up quickly, and its lunchtime specialty is a selection of excellent burgers. Everyone enjoyed the two hours we spent there. We wholeheartedly recommend it.

Anyway, we arrived back at Hôtel Bois Joli in Les Saintes with full stomachs and smiles on our faces. As if by magic, the swell had eased a little, making the conditions more manageable for paddleboarding. We didn’t have much previous experience on a paddleboard, apart from one outing through the mangroves at Morne-à-L’Eau. We had tried that activity through another partnership with Manawa, and it was genuinely memorable. Being able to move quietly through such a beautiful environment without a motor, accompanied by a guide, really appealed to us.

This time was a little different because we were paddleboarding on the open sea, where there was still some swell and wind. It was also our first time trying an assisted paddleboard. Sacha and Olivier explained in detail how everything worked. At first glance, it looks like a fairly standard paddleboard, but a small built-in motor can propel you forward whenever you choose to use it. It isn’t mandatory, of course, and if you’re hoping for a workout, you’re probably better off leaving it switched off, haha. The motor is activated from the paddle by simply pressing a button, and it all looks fairly straightforward.

With Sacha’s help, the four of us left the beach in the early afternoon for an hour-long trip around the bay and toward Pain de Sucre Beach. To be clear, I’m the less comfortable of the two of us on a paddleboard, and several times I nearly slipped and landed on poor Téo, haha. Since we had both children with us, each adult took one child on their board. That isn’t a problem in itself, but you do need good balance, which is not exactly my strong point—especially on the open sea, with the swell moving everything beneath you.

Eventually, I worked up the courage to steady myself despite the swell. I tried the assisted mode by pressing the control on the paddle. It was a lot of fun because the board moved surprisingly fast, even in those conditions. Téo was not reassured at all and quickly asked me to turn back. Louis and Mélanie, on the other hand, were perfectly comfortable. They spent about half an hour enjoying themselves near Pain de Sucre while I calmly returned to the beach with Téo, who was too nervous about balancing on the board in the open sea. Even so, I had a great time.

That brings me to the end of our experience with Loisirs aux Saintes. We genuinely had a great time, and being able to try so many different activities was a real bonus. As far as I know, it’s the only place on Terre-de-Haut where you can find all of these options together. If you enjoy water-based activities, there’s plenty to choose from. They even have a pedal-powered paddleboard that lets you pedal across the water to keep moving. We didn’t have time to try it, but it looked like a lot of fun.

The entire team made us feel very welcome and adapted readily to the weather and the other constraints we faced. We would happily recommend Loisirs aux Saintes.

We also wanted to tell you a little more about Loisirs aux Saintes itself. We’d known the name for some time, but this long weekend gave us our first chance to meet the team and discover what they do.

The first thing to know is that they have opened a second base right in the town center, less than a five-minute walk from the pier where the ferries arrive. Originally, they operated only from Hôtel Bois Joli at the other end of the island, which could make things difficult for day-trippers without transportation. Having another base within walking distance of the pier makes everything much easier. You can now visit for the day and still fit in an hour of paddleboarding or transparent kayaking, for example.

We visited both bases, and each has its own charm. The town-center location is brand new, so it is still a work in progress, but it sits beside a small beach with turquoise water, and you can set off directly from there by kayak, paddleboard, and more.

They offer plenty of activities that you can book directly, along with several packages designed to suit different interests and schedules.

Through Manawa, you can book:

• Transparent kayaking for one or two hours
• Stand-up paddleboarding, with assistance, for one hour, two hours, or half a day, or step paddleboarding—the pedal-powered version we didn’t get to try, but which looked like a lot of fun
• Seabob sessions lasting 25 or 50 minutes

More importantly, if you’d like to try several different water sports, I think the Discovery Packs offer particularly good value.

The options include:

• Two hours: one hour of kayaking, 30 minutes of assisted paddleboarding, and 30 minutes of step paddleboarding
• Three hours: one hour of kayaking, one hour of assisted paddleboarding, and one hour of step paddleboarding
• A full day: an electric bike tour in the morning, giving you time to explore the island, followed by three hours of activities in the afternoon

As mentioned above, you can also:

• Rent a small or large Donut Boat for half a day or a full day. It’s ideal for spending time with friends or family and has a barbecue in the center so you can prepare your own food. If you don’t want to shop beforehand, you can reserve a barbecue meal and drinks on-site.
• Rent electric bikes. They’re an affordable and environmentally friendly way for one or two people to explore the island independently.

You’ll also find several types of day packages, with or without meals, as well as packages that include a night at Hôtel Bois Joli.

As usual, here are a few practical details.

I won’t repeat everything from my article about the island of Terre-de-Haut, where it’s all explained in detail, but here’s a quick overview.

First, of course, you need to get to Guadeloupe. If you’re looking for a rental car during your stay, we recommend comparing prices through Discover Cars, which compares several rental companies on the island.

To reach Terre-de-Haut, you’ll need to take a ferry—it is an island, after all, haha. The main departure points are Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre, and the port of Trois-Rivières. The Trois-Rivières route is generally the quickest, with crossings taking around 25 minutes, although schedules, operators, and fares vary by date and season. Check directly with the ferry companies before traveling for current departure times and prices.

In Pointe-à-Pitre, ferries depart from the Bergevin ferry terminal, where free parking is available but often fills up, with a secure paid parking lot nearby. Parking arrangements and rates in Trois-Rivières vary by operator, so check with your ferry company when booking.

As with the previous section, I won’t go into too much detail here because I’ve just completed a full article on where to stay in Les Saintes. In brief, if you decide to stay on Terre-de-Haut, you generally have two options:

• Stay outside the town center, at somewhere such as Hôtel Bois Joli, Marigot Bay, or Anse Rodrigues. If you’re staying for several days, you’ll need some form of transportation to get around the island. That’s manageable, although you’ll be farther from the restaurants, ice cream shops, and livelier parts of town.
• Stay in the village, where you’ll be closer to restaurants, activities, and other amenities. That convenience can be a real advantage.

If you’re planning a longer visit, you can also explore the island of Terre-de-Bas—we have a full article about it.

That brings us to the end of this article. We hope we’ve inspired you to try some activities in the archipelago, and we warmly recommend taking a look at what Loisirs aux Saintes has to offer.

In the meantime, if you’d like to discover Les Saintes in a different way, we also went on a sailing trip with Voile O Saintes, which we really enjoyed.

See you soon for another activity review.

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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