Saut d'Acomat in Guadeloupe

I have to admit, I’m a little embarrassed that it took me so long to write my articles about Guadeloupe. Today, I want to tell you about an easy walk in Pointe-Noire, on the west coast of Basse-Terre: Saut d’Acomat. This short outing has long been popular with both visitors and locals. Although I’m calling it a “hike,” it is really more of a walk. Like the walk to Bassin Bleu, another short and easier outing, Saut d’Acomat offered a chance to immerse yourself in Guadeloupe’s lush rainforest without too much difficulty. You can also explore Mamelle de Pigeon, along the Route des Mamelles in the center of the island. It is a fun little forest walk!

As in my recently published article about Bassin des Amours in Gourbeyre, I won’t spend pages describing the place as I often do. You might think that is because I am so far behind with my writing, but the truth is that there simply is not much more to add.

So, without further ado, here is the story of our short walk. Please note, however, that access to Saut d’Acomat is currently prohibited by municipal order because of rockfall, landslide, and flash-flood risks. I have kept this account as a record of our past visits rather than as a current recommendation. As usual, you will find practical information at the end of the article, updated to reflect the present situation.

For a change of scenery, you can also check out the Bis waterfall hike, an easy and very enjoyable outing in the heart of Basse-Terre.

I won’t go into the full route or every practical detail here, as I cover those at the end of the article. We visited the site twice after moving here, and both times I found it to be a pleasant walk. It could get quite crowded, so planning ahead mattered.

The small road leading from the main leeward coast road to Saut d’Acomat was generally in good condition, but the final section became very narrow, so you had to be careful when another vehicle approached. In places, only one car could pass at a time. Visitors parked wherever they could find space along the roadside, and finding a spot became difficult later in the day. At the time, I recommended arriving as early as possible and avoiding Wednesdays, weekends, and ideally school holidays too—which did not leave many options, haha. Access to the site is now prohibited, so these directions describe our past visits only.

After parking, we followed the narrow path to the entrance of the Saut d’Acomat trail. A sign clearly marked the way and reminded visitors that jumping and diving at the waterfall were strictly prohibited because of previous accidents. The first section was fairly level but slippery, as is often the case on trails in Guadeloupe. We had to watch our footing among the roots and rocks, where it would have been easy to twist an ankle. On our left, the path ran alongside a seasonal gully through the beautiful rainforest.

Each time we visited, the trail was extremely muddy, making it clear just how much rain the area receives. Even before the current closure, it was best to avoid the descent after heavy rainfall. After about five minutes, the path dropped sharply, and that was where things became more serious, haha. The slope was very steep, and we had to hold on to trees and roots on the way down. We brought our two children, then ages two and seven, on both visits, although the descent required a great deal of care. On the final and steepest section, turning around and descending backward made things easier. There was also what looked like a rope near the bottom. Along the way, the dense vegetation was well worth taking in. It felt every bit as lush as you would expect in the heart of Guadeloupe.

The descent took no more than 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how comfortable you were on the trail and with the steep slope. At the bottom, we reached the river, with Saut d’Acomat visible about 200 meters to the left. On our second visit, around 11 a.m., the area was already very crowded. Back then, arriving early was the best way to enjoy the place at its quietest. We were also lucky enough to spot a small waterfall flowing over a rock formation to our left. I set up my tripod and took a few long-exposure photos. Surrounded by rainforest, the atmosphere felt wonderfully removed from the outside world.

We then crossed the river—so getting our feet wet was unavoidable—and continued upstream toward the waterfall. Wading through the river brought us to the well-known swimming area, which was not especially difficult to reach. Still, the current could be strong depending on the weather, so caution was essential. On our second visit, the water looked much murkier than it had the first time, when it was clearer and more inviting. There had probably been a great deal of rain shortly beforehand. Guillaume, Mélanie’s brother, joined us on this second walk with his partner, Amélie, and their son, Nathan, and they all enjoyed the setting. Once we had found a place to sit on the rocks, we could choose whether or not to swim. The main pool lay beneath a waterfall about ten meters high. To me, the scene felt wonderfully peaceful, with plants framing the waterfall in the background.

During our visit, we saw people canyoning down from the top of the falls, an activity that is popular in the region. I had not yet tried canyoning in Guadeloupe, but after my experience in Tahiti, I would gladly do it again. Mélanie and I had also been considering an aquatic hike through the Canyons de Grande Plaine, upstream from the waterfall. The photos we had seen made it look far larger and more impressive than our previous outing in Moustique Canyon. At the time, people could swim here, although they needed to watch for canyoning groups emerging from the cliffs. The small pools farther downstream were quieter. During our second walk in the area, I also experimented with long exposures to improve my photography.

We walked back downstream, past our starting point, and continued a little farther to find a quieter place for lunch. This part of the river was beautiful. A little farther on, we found tiny beaches with pale sand, and the whole area was shaded when we arrived around lunchtime. There were no shelters, but the trees provided plenty of cover. We spent about two hours there, away from the crowds jumping from the higher rocks. A small beach beside the river made a pleasant spot for the children, with plenty of shade nearby. We took time to enjoy the surrounding nature before returning the way we had come, which felt much easier than the initial descent.

That brings this short account to an end. I hope the text and photos give you a sense of what Saut d’Acomat was like when we visited. Because the site is currently closed by municipal order, please do not attempt to enter it.

For another walk, consider Saut de la Lézarde, but check the latest access and safety information before setting out.

Here is the practical information you need about Saut d’Acomat. The most important point is that access is currently prohibited by municipal order because of rockfall, landslide, and flash-flood risks. Do not enter the site or swim there. If you are in Pointe-Noire, you could instead consider a massage at Parc aux Orchidées.

To reach Guadeloupe, you can consult our dedicated article about getting to Guadeloupe, which covers the different travel options and practical details. Airfares vary considerably by season and booking date, so it is best to compare current fares for your travel dates.

Once you arrive, renting a car is usually the easiest way to explore Basse-Terre. We suggest using the Discover Cars comparison site to review different prices and options.

Saut d’Acomat is near Pointe-Noire, but access to the site itself is currently prohibited. The drive from the town of Basse-Terre is roughly one hour, as is the journey from Le Gosier via the scenic Route de la Traversée through Guadeloupe National Park, depending on traffic.

The best choice will naturally depend on your budget, and the Leeward Coast offers accommodations in a wide range of price categories. Here are three options to consider, although you should verify their current availability and amenities before booking:

• Le Co’T Vert: Set among lush vegetation, this well-equipped and carefully maintained gîte offers a peaceful setting. Guests often appreciate the welcoming and helpful hosts.
• Maison Famille Rance: This guest room in Pointe-Noire sits close to the sea and offers private beach access, a terrace with sea views, and private parking. Designed for two guests, it includes air conditioning, a private bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchen.
• Ti Plèn Kréol: Located in a tropical setting, this property has traditionally been known for its peaceful atmosphere. Its bungalows overlook the surrounding greenery, while the pool, waterfall, and river provide places to cool off. Meals prepared with local produce may also be served at the bungalow.

You can also check Booking for current availability in and around Pointe-Noire.

There are plenty of things to do around Pointe-Noire and the Leeward Coast. Here are a few ideas:

• Explore Parc des Mamelles. Zoos are not usually our thing, but the forest setting makes this park worth considering. We still need to write an article about it, haha!
• Visit Deshaies Botanical Garden. We have been several times and always enjoy it.
• Learn about cocoa cultivation and walk through the small tropical garden at La Maison du Cacao.
• Visit Maison de la Côte-sous-le-Vent, which came highly recommended, although we had not yet been there.
• Malendure Beach is a popular departure point for kayaking around the Pigeon Islands and looking for turtles. Arriving early can help you avoid the busiest period, and the area is also well known for scuba diving.
• About an hour away, the trail toward La Soufrière offers another memorable way to discover Basse-Terre, provided current weather and access conditions are suitable.

There is currently no appropriate time to visit because access to Saut d’Acomat is prohibited. More generally, trails and river sites in Basse-Terre can become especially slippery and hazardous after heavy rain, so always check official conditions before visiting any alternative site.

The road approach takes approximately 15 minutes from Pointe-Noire, but entry to the site is currently prohibited.

A guide does not override the current closure: access to the site is prohibited.

No. Because access is currently prohibited due to serious natural hazards, the site should not be visited with children or adults.

There was no entrance fee, but the site is currently closed to access. You can find other ideas in our guide to hiking in Guadeloupe.

No equipment should be prepared for Saut d’Acomat while the access ban remains in effect. For other authorized river walks, a waterproof backpack or a case for your mobile phone can be useful. Photography enthusiasts may also want a tripod for long exposures. We often bring our Olympus TG-6 compact camera on outings like these.

That brings us to the end of the article. I hope you enjoyed the photos and this account of our earlier visits. Saut d’Acomat should not currently be included in your itinerary, but Guadeloupe has many other natural sites to discover. Before visiting places such as Rivière du Plessis or Cascade Kalinago, check their latest access and safety conditions.

If you enjoy the underwater world, consider visiting the Cousteau Reserve.

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!

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!