Malendure Beach: Our Complete Guide

Malendure Beach is one of the best-known spots on Basse-Terre Island in Guadeloupe. In fact, most travelers visiting Guadeloupe stop here, especially for the chance to swim with the local turtles. I have to admit that, at first, it wasn’t a place we especially recommended: it can be crowded with tourists and, when it is, not particularly enjoyable. But more recently, during our stay at Jardin des Îlets in Bouillante, we were surprised by how much we enjoyed this lovely beach.

To be fair, there was almost no one there. We visited in the low season (May), and there were very few tourists around. I was even surprised to see the beach so quiet. Granted, we went early in the morning with the kids, but even later in the morning it was still perfectly pleasant. In high season, though, the beach can be absolutely packed when you stop by.

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

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

This is, of course, the main reason people come to Malendure Beach. The beach itself clearly isn’t the most beautiful in the world, especially when it gets busy, but it does have one major draw: the turtles. It sits right beside the road. In practice, you’ll notice there are two beaches: the main Malendure Beach and what people call “little Malendure.” The smaller one is just north of the larger beach and, because it’s more compact, it can feel crowded quickly, especially in high season.

As for the turtles, it naturally depends on the season, because this isn’t a zoo. Sometimes they’re on the left, sometimes on the right, and sometimes a little farther out. Overall, though, you have a good chance of spotting them with fins, a mask, and a snorkel. Just set off from the beach and swim out in search of these lovely little creatures! You’ll often find them in the seagrass beds, those large patches of grass attached to the seabed where turtles often come to feed. It probably goes without saying, but you obviously shouldn’t touch the turtles or get too close. If they feel like it, they may come over to you on their own.

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 getting there around 7 a.m. is a very good idea: it’s still cool, and most tourists haven’t arrived yet. By 9 a.m., once you’ve finished snorkeling, you can head off again, haha!

When you come to Malendure Beach, you’ll find plenty of activities to choose from. I’ve summarized the five main ones below.

Of course, this is the option we recommend most. It’s affordable, great fun, eco-friendly, and a wonderful way to spend a morning or even a full day. Ideally, I suggest setting off early, as soon as the kayak rentals open; that way, you can avoid the tourist crowds that often show up in high season.

The plan is simple: about half an hour of paddling across if the sea isn’t too rough, then once you arrive, you can snorkel and explore the marine life. Don’t forget to climb onto the little islets for beautiful views of the surrounding area.

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

This is also a good option for anyone who is a little afraid of the water but still wants to see the underwater beauty of the Cousteau Reserve. It isn’t necessarily our top recommendation, as we were only moderately impressed. Still, it’s a pleasant little outing: you’ll get lovely views of the area from the boat and, of course, a chance to see what’s happening below the surface. I’d say it’s mainly ideal for people who aren’t comfortable in the water. For everyone else, a kayak trip or a fins-mask-snorkel outing with a local provider is the better choice.

We had a great experience with the dive club Les Heures Saines. As always, it all depends 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 if you only have a handful of dives under your belt, you’ll discover a wonderful underwater world.

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

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

Near Malendure Beach, you’ll also find companies offering trips to explore the Bois Malaisé waterfalls. This canyon has an excellent local reputation, and we really need to try it with Mélanie!

You’ll also find several providers on Malendure Beach offering seasonal whale-watching trips or sea excursions to look for dolphins. I don’t have a specific address to recommend yet, but as soon as I try one, I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, if you enjoy this kind of outing, it could be a really nice experience!

I’ll finish with a quick nod to shopping, because you’ll also find plenty of small stalls selling more-or-less local products: pareos, clothes, and so on. Why not?

As usual, here are a few quick practical tips!

Everything naturally depends on where you’re starting from! Since this article is mainly aimed at a French-speaking audience (even though we later translate it into several languages), many of you will probably be traveling from France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Quebec. In recent years, flight prices have really skyrocketed, especially from France. Depending on the season, you should now expect to pay roughly between €650 and €1,000 for a round-trip ticket. Sadly, the days of €350 return fares from Paris are behind us, haha. From Quebec, the lowest fares are usually roughly in the CAD600 to CAD800 range, depending on the departure city and travel dates.

Once in Guadeloupe, I highly recommend renting a car so you can enjoy your stay independently. Public transportation is fairly limited and not very practical, 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 takes you from the east coast to the west coast through the beautiful Col des Mamelles and already gives you a good glimpse of the lush 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 for good reason: where should you stay in Bouillante? To be honest, you’ll be spoiled for choice. There’s a wide range of accommodations 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’ve picked a few favorites:

• Le Jardin des Îlets : Clearly our favorite place to stay in Bouillante, by far! We’ve spent six nights there over two trips and loved it every time. The location is perfect: just 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 ticks all the boxes. 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 four apartments with a shared pool, all in a modern, well-maintained setting. The welcome is really warm. If you ask me, it’s a great option if you’re looking for comfort and peace.
• Les Gîtes Kajou : Located on the heights just before you reach the town center of Bouillante, these gîtes have an excellent reputation. You’ll have your own little one-bedroom house, well equipped and 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, of course, but these are well worth a look:

• Galets 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, making it a nice option for an easygoing dinner as a couple or with friends.
• La Touna – Facing the Pigeon Islets, this address stands out for its refined bistronomic cuisine, where Caribbean flavors meet French tradition. The plates are carefully prepared, and the view is lovely: a reliable choice for a quality meal in a beautiful setting.
• Sunset B – We love it! A charming Creole house, a warm atmosphere, and local cuisine revisited with flair. Special mention for its short, well-thought-out menu.
  Le Rocher de Malendure – A welcoming address on the heights above Malendure, known for homemade dishes, cocktails, and tapas. The main draw is the large terrace overlooking the sea and the Pigeon Islets. 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 guide to  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 stop 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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