Terre-de-Haut village
Restaurants, ferryOn the bay.
Island guide
Things to do in Les Saintes
A small archipelago south of Basse-Terre with one of the most beautiful bays in the world: the fishing village of Terre-de-Haut, Fort Napoléon, snorkelling at the Pain de Sucre, and no cars to speak of.
9
Islands
2
Inhabited
The bay of Les Saintes
Les Saintes is a group of nine small islands about 10 kilometres off the southern tip of Basse-Terre, of which only two are inhabited: Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. Most visitors go to Terre-de-Haut, a hilly island of around 1,500 people, settled by Breton and Norman fishermen, whose descendants still fish in the bay.
The Baie des Saintes is a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World club, and the view over it from Fort Napoléon, a 19th-century fort on the hill above the village, is the best on the island. The village has painted wooden houses, small restaurants and boutiques, and there are few cars: people get around on foot, by electric scooter or by golf cart.
Beaches such as Pompierre and Pain de Sucre offer calm water and snorkelling, and Le Chameau, the highest point, has a lookout tower. Many visit on a day trip, but staying overnight is far better. Give it two days.
Where to base yourself
The village of Terre-de-Haut for restaurants and the ferry, or Terre-de-Bas for real quiet.
Pompierre
BeachA horseshoe bay to the north-east.
Terre-de-Bas
QuietThe other inhabited island.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Les Saintes
Walk up to Fort Napoléon for the view over the bay and its museum, and climb Le Chameau, the island's highest point at about 300 metres, for a view of all the islands.
Swim and snorkel at the Plage de Pompierre, a sheltered horseshoe beach, and at the Pain de Sucre, a basalt headland with clear water and fish. Kayak or paddleboard in the bay.
Try a tourment d'amour, the coconut cake sold at the ferry, and take the small boat across to Terre-de-Bas for quiet beaches and walking trails.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches, the village and the walk up Le Chameau are free.
Watching the boats and the sunset over the bay costs nothing.
Fort Napoléon charges a small fee, and scooter and kayak rental cost extra.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Restaurants around the bay serve fresh fish, lobster and Creole dishes, with mains at €18 to €30. Snack bars sell sandwiches, bokits and accras for less.
The tourment d'amour, a pastry filled with coconut jam, is the island speciality.
Service is included in restaurant prices, as in France; leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Nightlife
Going out
Once the day-trippers leave, Terre-de-Haut is peaceful. A few bars by the water serve ti-punch and cocktails at sunset.
Evenings are for dinner and a walk along the waterfront.
Beer costs €3 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around
Ferries run from Trois-Rivières on Basse-Terre in about 20 minutes, and from Pointe-à-Pitre in about an hour, with several sailings daily. Book ahead in high season.
On Terre-de-Haut, walk, or rent an electric scooter or golf cart. The hills are steep.
Small boats link Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas.
Costs
What Les Saintes costs
Les Saintes is expensive. Guesthouses start at around €40 to €80 a night. Mains cost €18 to €30.
Return ferries cost about €30 to €50, and scooter rental about €25 to €35 a day.
Cards work in most places, and there is a cash machine in the village.
Safety
Safety and scams
Les Saintes is very safe. Ride scooters carefully on the steep, narrow roads, and wear a helmet.
Bring sun protection and water for the walks, as there is little shade on the hills.
Tap water is treated, but supply cuts and quality notices are common, so many people drink bottled water. In an emergency, call 112.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Village festivals and holidays.
Mid-August
Fête patronale
Terre-de-Haut
The village festival.
December to April
Dry season
Les Saintes
Calm, sunny days.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the busiest time. Les Saintes is drier than Basse-Terre. June to November is the wet season, with hurricane risk.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Dry
Apr
Dry
May
Transitional
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Holidays
Aug
Village festival
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Wet
Nov
Rain easing
Dec
Dry season returns
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm and breezy.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Les Saintes prices.
Treat these as a guide. Ferries cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Les Saintes questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Les Saintes?
By ferry from Trois-Rivières in about 20 minutes, or from Pointe-à-Pitre in about an hour.
Is a day trip to Les Saintes enough?
It works, but staying a night is much better.
Which island should I visit?
Terre-de-Haut, the main island.
Are there cars on Les Saintes?
Very few. People walk or use electric scooters.
What is a tourment d'amour?
A coconut-filled cake, the island speciality.
Where is the best snorkelling?
At the Pain de Sucre.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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