introduction

Hoshie: Guadeloupe, 2 March 2007

Guadeloupe is an island archipelago located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It has a land area of 1628 square kilometres and is an overseas department of France.

Guadeloupe comprises five islands: Basse-Terre Island, Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel called Salt River) with the adjacent islands of La Désirade, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante. The capital of Guadeloupe is Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief while Grande-Terre features rolling hills and flat plains.

As part of France, Guadeloupe is part of the European Union and hence, along with all other Europe countries, its currency is measured in euros.

surfing

J. Armand: Beach at Guadeloupe; 2005

The Caribbean, she is a harsh mistress. All of the islands in the Greater and Lesser Antilles share at least some aspect towards the North Atlantic and therefore are exposed to any passing fronts that generate of the East American Coast and transit the North Atlantic. These fronts often pass a good way to the north and swell decay can be a problem.

Regular windswell is a constant on the east coast of all of the island groups and hence there is almost always something to keep you occupied and off the rum for a few hours. too much wind can be a bad thing though and onshore days are very common, no matter how early in the morning you manage to peel yourself out of your cot and stumble down to the beach.

The third source of swell in the region are from passing hurricanes. Some of the strongest storm ever recorded on the planet file through here regularly. Technically the season spans June to November with early September being the peak. The ideal scenario is for the hurricane mass to pass clear of any inhabited areas and sit well offshore in the deep Carribean for a few days prior to disipating. The result is typically 3-5 days of western swell that lights up the hidden western points and reefs of the Caribbean. The persistant NE/E trade winds will gently fan these breaks all day long. It is then that some of the rarer points and breaks of Guadeloupe come to life. Surf exploration doesent get any better than this.

where to stay

Landhere: Accomodation in Brittany, 28 October 2006

There is limited accomodation in Guadeloupe so make sure you plan out where to stay before you come. You may end up needing to camp. Some locals may rent out rooms as well, so asking around would be a good idea if you are really stuck there without a bed! 

For European residents, working in Guadeloupe will be no problem. However, if you are from another country, you will most likely need to get a working permit - check the French Embassy in your country. Getting a job here isn't easy either, the unemployment is as high as 28% and unless you're a doctor or nurse, you'll probably end up working in a club or restaurant.

what to pack

Rich Niewiroski Jr.: 62 mm ultra-violet, fluorescent, and polarizing lens filters; April 9, 2007

The weather can get quite hot in Summer, so definitely bring along some strong sunscreen and UV-protected sunglasses. Bring along loose clothing, trainers, thongs and even a portable fan!

If you've got a sensitive nose, you may consider taking your anti-histamine tablets with you, as language and brands can be a barrier for you to buy any medication. Bring along a bumbag or a backpack for travelling with you at all times and you'll be ready!

Don't forget to take care of your camera and protect it from the sand!