What to do in Bouillante?

We took advantage of a long weekend this May to try a new place to stay on the leeward coast. If you’re interested, you can read our full review of Le Jardin des Îlets, a beautiful guesthouse with eight units just above Malendure Beach, close enough to reach on foot. But that isn’t today’s topic. We used this stay to get a proper feel for all the things to do and see in Bouillante.

Overall, I think Basse‑Terre Island is visited far less than Grande‑Terre, with its white‑sand beaches. Still, Bouillante is definitely one of the essential stops on a trip to Guadeloupe, especially if you want to discover the Cousteau Reserve. In fact, we even recommend including it if you’re spending one week in Guadeloupe.

Located on the leeward coast of Basse‑Terre, the town has plenty to offer: hiking, cultural visits, beaches, swimming with turtles, kayaking, and diving in the Cousteau Reserve…

So we decided to put together a complete article with the essentials of what to do in Bouillante. We’ll probably continue this type of article for other towns in Guadeloupe, to give you an overview of the places worth seeing around the island.

As I said, there are plenty of things you shouldn’t miss, and this overview should give you a good sense of the area.

I won’t repeat everything I covered in my full article on Malendure Beach, but of course, this is the town’s flagship spot. If you make the effort to come off‑season or early in the morning, you can enjoy this beautiful gray‑sand beach and, above all, swim with turtles straight from the shore. That said, depending on the season and the time of day, the beach can be absolutely packed, and the experience is clearly much less pleasant. As often, timing makes all the difference.

We therefore recommend spending half a day, or even a full day, in the area, naturally including a visit to the reserve. It’s a must.

From Malendure Beach, you can also explore the famous Cousteau Reserve, whether by kayak, scuba diving, snorkeling, or glass‑bottom boat (although, in my opinion, that option is of fairly limited interest).

It’s obviously one of the unmissable experiences in Bouillante. Personally, I’d strongly recommend renting a kayak for the day and bringing your own lunch. You’ll have a wonderful day out. And if you’ve never tried scuba diving before, this is a great place to do it.

This is the second time I’ve mentioned it, but we also wrote a complete guide to all the hot springs in Guadeloupe. You’ll find all the details you need to explore these places. As the town’s name suggests, there are several spots in Bouillante where you can enjoy natural hot springs. You can go to the entrance of town, where hot water flows out near the geothermal plant, but we’d recommend the Thomas Hot Bath even more. Be careful there, though: the water can be very hot, and accidents can happen if you’re not paying attention. There’s also the famous Bain du Curé on Anse à Sable Beach, but the overall appeal is fairly limited unless you simply want a little beach break, which can still be really nice.

Let’s be honest from the start: Bouillante isn’t the town in Guadeloupe with the prettiest beaches, at least not in the classic white‑sand-and-coconut-palms sense! Of course, there’s the famous Malendure Beach, which is ideal for swimming with turtles, but you’ll also find other beaches such as Anse à la Barque (very pretty, though not necessarily the easiest for swimming) and Petite Anse, which really is beautiful with its turquoise water (the water is said to be of poor quality because it sits just below a nursing home). There are also lesser‑known, harder‑to‑reach beaches such as Anse du Dépôt, Anse à Sable, and Anse Colas.

So, of course, if you’re looking for white sandy beaches, coconut palms, and turquoise water, you’ll probably be better off heading to Grande‑Terre or to northern Basse‑Terre around Deshaies or Sainte‑Rose. From there, you can discover the Grand Cul‑de‑Sac Marin.

In this article, I also wanted to include the main free and paid activities you can do in Bouillante. I had to make some choices, so not absolutely everything is listed here, but you’ll find the essentials.

I’m almost ashamed to say it, but I did this hike a long time ago, so I never wrote the blog post. I still remember it, but I’ll go back with my family to refresh my memory properly. As the name suggests, you’re not far from Malendure Beach. This hike requires two cars, since the starting point and the finish are in different places: it isn’t a loop. At first glance, it might seem easy, but it’s actually quite demanding on the legs. You’re under forest cover, it can get very hot, and from time to time you get lovely views of the turquoise sea around you. Not necessarily unmissable, but still very nice.

Not many people know this hike, and for good reason: getting there on foot is very difficult, so it’s usually done as a canyoning outing. We haven’t had time to go yet, but from all the photos we’ve seen, it looks like a truly magical place, and above all, one without many people or tourists. If you’re a bit adventurous and the idea of canyoning appeals to you, I think it’s definitely worth doing.

Here’s another lovely little walk, known locally, that we haven’t had the chance to try yet. The hike starts as you leave the town of Bouillante, on your left. The trail skirts Morne Lézard, passes Pointe à Lézard, Pointe Machette, and Anse Machette, then ends at Anse à Sable, near the famous Bain du Curé hot spring. We’ll definitely try it next time.

Among the must‑do activities in Bouillante, diving in the Cousteau Reserve can be a really lovely experience. Of course, depending on where else you’ve dived around the world, you may be more or less impressed—or even a little disappointed—by what you see underwater, but it’s still a beautiful outing. Mélanie and I tried it with the Les Heures Saines dive club, and we tell you all about it in our detailed article.

In my opinion, it’s a very good place for a first dive: you’ll already see plenty on your very first try.

Here’s another very worthwhile activity in the Cousteau Reserve. If you don’t feel like scuba diving or kayaking across, joining a snorkeling tour can clearly be a good idea. For a few hours, a provider will take you out by boat, and with fins, a mask, and a snorkel, you can observe the surrounding ecosystem—there’s plenty to see without too much effort. It remains a very nice activity, and above all, a fairly affordable one. Several providers offer this kind of snorkeling tour, but we particularly recommend this one.

Of course, I already mentioned it above, but this is clearly the activity we wholeheartedly recommend for discovering the reserve. You’ll have several providers to choose from, but we particularly recommend this one.

In my opinion, it’s the most affordable, eco‑friendly, and independent way to explore the reserve and the islets at your own pace. Plan for half a day, or even a full day, so you can snorkel there (in the same area as the snorkeling tour mentioned above) and climb to the top of the small islets for beautiful viewpoints.

Another option I talk about in the Cousteau Reserve article is taking the Nautilus, the famous glass‑bottom boat that leaves from Malendure Beach. Personally, we weren’t big fans, but for people who are afraid of the water or don’t want to swim, it has to be said that it’s a very nice way to discover the reserve, observe a bit of the seabed, and tour the islets by boat.

Here’s another activity in Bouillante that we haven’t had the chance to try yet. The last time I went canyoning was in Tahiti, deep in the island, and it was truly amazing. I really need to go back with Mélanie and try it here. Several spots are known locally for canyoning, notably Ravine Bourceau and the Bois Malaisé Waterfalls I mentioned earlier.

For thrill seekers, it’s also possible to go jet skiing in the area from Malendure Beach. I’ll admit we’re not naturally huge fans, but we should try it anyway, because as I often say, only fools never change their minds. To be continued if we decide to test it, but just know that it’s definitely possible.

I talked above about activities, but there are also several other places worth considering during your stay in Bouillante.

For anyone interested, this is a visit we find really worthwhile during a stay in Bouillante. We’ve been several times and often take friends, family, and visitors there when they come to see us in Guadeloupe. It’s a very nice guided tour that includes a small tropical garden. You’ll learn more about cocoa production and its different stages, and you’ll even get to taste a few products. It’s also ideal for buying local products and bringing souvenirs back for your loved ones. A great visit, but these days booking is strongly recommended, especially in high season. If you’d like a more detailed look at the visit, I invite you to read our full article on La Maison du Cacao.

Recently opened, this is another place we had the chance to try in partnership with Manawa. It’s a fully developed forest park where you can walk around, discover local flora and its particularities, and even swim in a waterfall at the edge of the site. The place is very well laid out, and you can even book a carbet on site to eat or have a barbecue—everything is set up for that. Did we think it was worth it? We were a bit mixed: although we understand that major improvements were needed, I still find the price a little high for what there is to do. That said, you can always stop by for a good coffee in the late afternoon on the beautiful wooden terrace, which offers a lovely sea view. We also wrote a full article on Le Parc de la Source if you’d like to know more.

Even though we’re not naturally big zoo fans, we’ve been several times with the kids to see the animals at the Guadeloupe Zoo, and I have to say we’re pleasantly surprised every time. You won’t find animals that feel completely out of place here, and the zoo is very well integrated into its natural environment. There are plenty of lovely forest walkways, and the atmosphere is really pleasant. It feels very different from the zoos we saw as kids in France, which were more like highways where you walked from cage to cage to look at poor animals locked up inside. Of course, the animals are still in captivity, but the overall impression is pretty positive, and if you want to spend a nice family moment, the kids will be delighted.

Since the zoo is on the Route de la Traversière, you can also enjoy a treetop adventure course with the kids. There are several routes of varying difficulty, and it’s really nice to see them moving around in a beautiful, well‑preserved natural environment. Feel free to continue along the Route de la Traversière and do a hike around the Maison de la Forêt too (though at that point, you’ll be in Petit‑Bourg).

That’s it, I’ll stop here with the things to do and see in Bouillante, but it really is a beautiful town and well worth stopping in for several days.

As usual, here are a few practical tips and useful details for visiting Bouillante.

Obviously, it all depends on where you’re coming from. Since this article is written in French, most of you will be arriving from France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Quebec. Flight prices have really increased in recent years, especially from France, and depending on the season, you should now count on roughly €650 to €1,000 for a round‑trip ticket. Gone are the days when you could find round‑trip flights from Paris for €350. From Quebec, prices are generally closer to CAD600 to CAD800, depending on the period and availability.

Once you’re there, I strongly recommend renting a car so you can be completely independent during your stay in Guadeloupe. Public transport is underdeveloped, and getting around can quickly become a hassle.

Since you’ll be arriving by plane, you’ll land in Pointe‑à‑Pitre. Bouillante is about an hour’s drive away via the Route de la Traversée. It’s perfectly doable even if you arrive late at night, so you can head straight to your accommodation.

This is a big question, and one that interests a lot of travelers. To be honest, you’ll find plenty of accommodation in town for all tastes and budgets. It’s a well‑developed tourist area, and there’s no shortage of options. I won’t list every place we recommend in Bouillante, but here are a few great addresses:

• Le Jardin  des  Îlets: this is, by far, the accommodation we recommend most in Bouillante. We stayed there for six nights across two trips and really loved it. The location is great, just a five‑minute walk from Malendure Beach: perfect for swimming with turtles and sunbathing. The view from the accommodation is superb, and you’re completely independent thanks to a fully equipped kitchen, with even the option of having breakfast delivered. For us, it’s flawless. We also wrote a full review with our thoughts on Le Jardin des Îlets; feel free to read it and make up your own mind.
• Gites La Nantillaise: another lovely place to stay, with four apartments and a pool. The welcome is excellent, and the place is clean and modern: another great address!
• Les Gîtes Kajou: perched on the heights before the town of Bouillante, this is accommodation with a great reputation. You’ll have access to a beautiful one‑bedroom house, well equipped and clean, with a small terrace area, garden, and pool!

Here are a few good addresses we know and have tested (there are others, of course):

• Galets Beach: an almost feet‑in‑the‑water restaurant at Anse à Sable, with cuisine inspired by local flavors in a relaxed setting—perfect for an evening as a couple or with friends.
• La Touna: a very good local address, serving refined bistronomic cuisine right opposite the Pigeon Islets, with dishes that blend Caribbean and French flavors and an excellent panoramic view. A safe bet.
• Sunset B: a classic we love! Revisited local cuisine in a former colonial house, a warm atmosphere, and the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. The bonus? Just a few dishes to choose from—so you won’t get lost in the menu!
• Le Rocher de Malendure: locally known for homemade dishes, cocktails, and tapas, with a large terrace overlooking the sea and the Pigeon Islets. Pretty good overall, and the view is great.
• Òganik: an excellent spot for wood‑fired pizzas. Fresh ingredients, thin crust, laid‑back vibe. Tested and approved!

That’s it, I’ll stop here with this article on the things to see and do in Bouillante.

See you soon for a new article.

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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