Town and marina
Restaurants, ferriesThe centre by the harbour.
Town guide
Things to do in Saint-François
A seaside town near the eastern tip of Grande-Terre: the wild cliffs of Pointe des Châteaux, white-sand coves, a marina full of boats, a lively fish market, and ferries to the quiet islands of La Désirade and Petite-Terre.
40 min
From the airport
3
Days
Where Grande-Terre ends
Saint-François is a fishing town turned resort on the south-east coast of Grande-Terre, about 40 minutes from the airport. It has a marina, a golf course, a busy fish market by the harbour and calm, reef-protected beaches such as the Plage des Raisins Clairs.
East of town, the land narrows to Pointe des Châteaux, a headland of jagged limestone cliffs battered by the Atlantic, with a cross on the hill and views to La Désirade. On the way are some of the island's most beautiful coves, including Anse à la Gourde and the Plage des Salines.
Saint-François is also the port for La Désirade, a long, dry island and nature reserve, and the base for boat trips to Petite-Terre, two uninhabited islets with iguanas, turtles and a lagoon. Some ferries also sail to Marie-Galante. Give it three days.
Where to base yourself
The town centre and marina for restaurants and ferries, or the coast towards Pointe des Châteaux for quiet.
Pointe des Châteaux road
Quiet covesEast of town.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Saint-François
Drive out to Pointe des Châteaux at sunrise or sunset, climb to the cross for the view, and swim at Anse à la Gourde and the Plage des Salines on the way back. Watch the boats come in at the fish market in the morning.
Take a catamaran to Petite-Terre, a nature reserve where iguanas sun themselves on the sand and turtles and rays swim in the lagoon. Take the ferry to La Désirade for a quiet day of beaches and a hike up to the plateau.
Snorkel, kitesurf and paddleboard from the town beaches, and walk the marina at sunset.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Pointe des Châteaux and its trails are free, and so are the beaches, including Anse à la Gourde and the Raisins Clairs.
The fish market and the marina are free to wander.
Boat trips to Petite-Terre and ferries to La Désirade cost extra.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Saint-François has fish restaurants around the marina and harbour, with mains at €18 to €30, and lolos and food vans selling bokits for €5 to €9 and grilled fish plates for €12 to €18.
Buy fresh fish at the harbour market in the morning.
Service is included in restaurant prices, as in France; leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Nightlife
Going out
The marina has bars and restaurants that stay busy into the evening, with live music at weekends.
It is relaxed rather than lively; Le Gosier has more nightlife.
Beer costs €3 to €5 and cocktails €7 to €12.
Getting around
Getting around
Saint-François is about 40 minutes from the airport. Buses run to Pointe-à-Pitre and Sainte-Anne by day.
A hire car is close to essential, as buses are infrequent and stop early.
Ferries to La Désirade take about 45 minutes, and catamarans to Petite-Terre about an hour.
Costs
What Saint-François costs
Gîtes and guesthouses start at around €35 to €70 a night. Bokits cost €5 to €9.
Petite-Terre boat trips cost about €80 to €110 with lunch, and return ferries to La Désirade about €30 to €40.
Cards work almost everywhere.
Safety
Safety and scams
Saint-François is relaxed and safe. Leave nothing visible in parked cars at beaches and at Pointe des Châteaux.
The Atlantic side of Pointe des Châteaux has strong waves and currents; swim only in sheltered coves. Sargassum seaweed can arrive on east-facing beaches in season.
Tap water is treated, but supply cuts and quality notices are common, so many people drink bottled water. In an emergency, call 112.
Worth the trip
Islands, cliffs and coves.
Pointe des Châteaux
Cliffs and a cross.
Sainte-Anne
Lagoon beaches.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Carnival and holidays.
January to Ash Wednesday
Carnival
Saint-François
Parades and drums.
December to April
Dry season
Saint-François
Calm seas for boat trips.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the busiest time. The east of Grande-Terre is one of the driest parts of Guadeloupe. June to November is the wet season, with hurricane risk.
Jan
Dry, busy
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Dry
Apr
Dry
May
Transitional
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Holidays
Aug
Holidays
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. Sunny and breezy.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Saint-François prices.
Treat these as a guide. Boat trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Saint-François questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is there to do in Saint-François?
Pointe des Châteaux, beaches, the marina and boat trips to Petite-Terre and La Désirade.
How do I get to Petite-Terre?
By catamaran from Saint-François, in about an hour.
How do I get to La Désirade?
By ferry from Saint-François, in about 45 minutes.
Can I swim at Pointe des Châteaux?
Only in sheltered coves like Anse à la Gourde; the Atlantic side is dangerous.
Do I need a car?
It helps, though buses run by day.
Saint-François or Sainte-Anne?
Saint-François for islands and cliffs; Sainte-Anne for lagoon beaches.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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