La Gourde beach
La Gourde is a wonderful quiet beach, located about half an hour from St François if you drive from the casino past the golf course. The place is quite wild, but getting here is closer than to Pointe Chateau.
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Beach description
You can get very close to this beach by car, the parking lot is right there, you won't have to bring your stuff too far. The clean white line of sand stretches quite far, but the beach isn't too wide, framed by short plants on the side opposite to the sea, so if you intend to spend a whole day here, it may be difficult to find a shadow, as no palms or other trees grow here. Umbrellas and sunscreen will come in handy.
The beach is covered in stones from both sides, be careful when walking here. Sea urchins, starfish crabs and other small colorful fish can be encountered on the beach. This place will be interesting for children, even the youngest can enjoy the small pools at the shore. But don't leave them unsupervised, windy days will bring high waves.
It's not crowded during work days, but weekend brings many people here, with both travellers and locals flocking to this beach. Besides deep sand and beautiful landscapes, other attractions include:
- Underwater swimming and bodyboarding. The water is clear, underwater rocks and coral reefs are available for your exploration nearby. The waves for surfers can be seen on the southern side of de la Gourde. Water is typically calm during Summer, so the best time to come for water sports enthusiasts is Winter.
- It's usually calm here when the rest of Guadeloupe experiences heavy rain.
- The beach is equipped with picnic tables, so you won't need to leave it if you want to have a lunch at the shore.
- Tourists note that the annoying seaweed isn't a problem here, unlike on the numerous other beaches.
- Showers and toilets were built here recently.
- A restaurant is located right on the beach if you're hungry, and a food truck with fresh and cheap snacks stands in a spot behind the parking lot.
If it's not crowded, the best and most comfortable spots are near the restaurant. The more distant parts may seem a bit too wild, like the rest of this part of the island. Those who want to escape from civilization will like it.
When is the best time to go?
It is best to go to Guadeloupe from December to May, as the weather at this time is set dry and fresher than in other months. However, it should be borne in mind that in December, during the holidays, many tourists arrive to celebrate Christmas and New Year, which affects prices.
Video: Beach La Gourde
Infrastructure
Tourists who do not pursue luxury and extravagant apartments stay in Village Bungalows Chez Honore, without any stars, but in 200 meters from the beach. On a quiet street, along which you can find only fields and forests, vacationers go out in the morning to a deserted beach to plunge into the warm waves.
In any of the bungalows you can stay with your family or even several families, occupying not only the first floor, but also the mansard. Unless, of course, the lack of an air conditioner upstairs does not bother. Otherwise, Chez Honore provides everything what is needed for tired travelers. In a small kitchen area, guests have the opportunity to cook something from the products delivered from the store, to sit at tables at the open veranda in the evening. Internet is free, but weak, which is offset by cleanliness, wonderful air, complete relaxation.
For the pleasures of civilization you need to go closer to Saint-François. Here you can purchase fresh fish. At the fishing port and fish market, fishermen sell the freshest seafood they have caught. The city has a water sports center, a marina with shops and restaurants concentrated close to it. There are casinos, tennis courts, and the resort has an excellent 18-hole golf course. August is well known by the famous fishermen's festival, when fishing competitions, a maritime parade, competitions and entertainment are held. Saint-François has many accommodation offers: hotels and villas of different levels, simpler bungalows, residences for groups of athletes.
The cuisine here is international, flavored with a lot of spices, eyes are scattered from colorful incomprehensible fruits, and before you go to the restaurant, you need to ask about the impressions of those who tasted the local dishes. Definitely, you need to take fish plates, crabs and shellfish, flavored with sauces and bananas. Original and sometimes unexpected baking. Cocktails from a mixture of juices of orange, pineapple, guava, with the addition of white or old rum, local vanilla, cane sugar syrup are good. In Guadeloupe, small yellow lemons with less pronounced bitterness are used in drinks.
Weather in La Gourde
Best hotels of La Gourde
All hotels of La GourdeUseful information
- La Gourde beach can be reached by car via St François, which, in turn, can be reached by bus or rental car from Pointe-a-Pitre Airport.
- Always excellent conditions for beach holiday. When the rainy and wind season begins, the best time comes for athletes who need a wave.
Things to do nearby Anse à la Gourde:
- Hiking
- Exploring the mangroves on a motor boat
- Visit the La Marina casino in Saint-Francois.
- Visit the field there for golf.
- Go to the lighthouse at Terre-de-Bas.
- Learn more about the history of Guadeloupe at the colonial residence Domaine de Zevallos.
- Explore the Port Caves Louis.