A shipwreck swim in Les Saintes sounds perfect. This full-day charter from Basse-Terre turns Guadeloupe’s water into your main attraction, with a small-group sailboat and even time to help steer alongside the captain. You’ll also get a Creole meal onboard, plus a late-day return timed for sunset views from the water.

Two things I really like: the chance to snorkel in an UNESCO-listed bay and the onboard chicken colombo lunch with homemade fruit salad. It’s not a rushed photo stop kind of outing—it’s a full, comfortable day on the sea, with snacks and drinks keeping you fueled.

One consideration: the swimming and snorkeling pauses are in accessible spots, but they’re not supervised, so you’ll want to be comfortable in the water (and tell the skipper if you can’t swim). Also, there’s no hotel pickup, so plan to get to the meeting point yourself.

Key things to know before you go

• You sail the whole way, 100% by sail to Les Saintes, with chances to steer if conditions allow.
• UNESCO-bay snorkeling plus a shipwreck swim in Les Saintes—these are the big underwater moments.
• Creole meal onboard: chicken colombo, plus snacks, fruit salad, and coffee/tea.
• Small group (max 9), which usually means more attention, calmer sailing, and better pacing.
• Motorized village tour to see the houses in Les Saintes, but not a long land-based wandering day.
• Swimming is on your terms—spots are accessible, but you’re responsible at the water stops.

Why This Les Saintes Day Trip Works So Well from Basse-Terre

This is the kind of day you book when you want the Caribbean to feel like a daydream—wind, coastline, and time to breathe—without having to plan every detail. You start on Basse-Terre’s side, then spend hours sailing across the channel to Les Saintes, where the sheltered bay makes snorkeling easier and swimming more enjoyable for most people.

The practical win is that the boat is your base. You’re not constantly transferring between buses, boats, and waiting around. Instead, you’re moving, stopping when the crew finds good conditions, and then eating and relaxing while the sea does the entertaining.

And there’s real value in the “small charter” setup. With a maximum of nine travelers, the skipper can spend time on safety and sailing basics, not just herding people from one spot to the next. Multiple skippers with names like Mathieu, Raphaëlle, Didier, and Olivier are described as professional and attentive, which matches what you want when you’re doing open-water swimming and snorkeling.

The 9-Hour Rhythm: what the day feels like from 9:00 to sunset

Your day runs about nine hours, starting at 9:00 am. You’ll head out, sail over to Les Saintes, then rotate through snorkeling/swimming, food, and sightseeing from the water and nearby village area. You’re back around sunset.

What I like about this schedule is that it builds a natural pace:

• Morning is for sailing and getting oriented—wind, views, and the “this is really happening” feeling.
• Late morning to early afternoon is for water time and the snorkeling stops.
• Midday is your Creole lunch break, so you don’t end up hungry or stuck eating something random later.
• The afternoon winds down with more sea views, then you return as the light softens.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates feeling rushed, this timing tends to work well. It’s also a good fit for couples and small groups, since you’ll spend long stretches together on the same boat instead of splitting up.

Sailing the Guadeloupe Channel and Getting a Chance to Steer

The big day-to-day difference here is that you’re not just “on a boat.” You’re sailing for the whole crossing. The outward leg to the Les Saintes area is around two and a half hours across the channel, and the return is about one and a half hours, with sailing initiation and a steering option depending on conditions.

That steering moment matters more than people think. Even if you only hold the helm for a short stretch, it changes the way you experience the coastline. You stop being a passenger and start understanding how the boat moves under sail—how the wind and angle affect speed and direction. It also helps you feel calmer when you later do water stops, because you’ve already seen the skipper in control.

Along the way, you’ll also pass points of interest around Guadeloupe like Cabrit Island and Terre-de-Haut, which gives you context for the day’s destination. Seeing Les Saintes from the sea is very different from seeing it from land—things click into place visually, and the bay becomes obviously “protective,” like it was made for boats and snorkeling.

Les Saintes from the Water: UNESCO Bay Snorkeling and a Shipwreck

Les Saintes is famous for its sheltered waters, and this trip uses that advantage in a very straightforward way. Once you’re in the bay area, you get time for independent snorkeling at an accessible spot within a UNESCO-listed setting.

This is one of the highest-praise parts of the experience. People consistently flag the snorkeling as a highlight—especially the stop involving a shipwreck in the harbor area. If you like the idea of seeing something unusual underwater (not just coral and fish, but an actual structure), that shipwreck swim is the moment that makes the day feel special.

A reality check: you’re snorkeling in accessible spots, but the stops are unsupervised. That means you should feel comfortable floating, getting in and out safely, and keeping track of time. The operator notes that if you can’t swim, you must tell the skipper before departure. I’d take that seriously, because it keeps everyone safer and prevents awkward uncertainty at the water’s edge.

Also, keep your expectations practical. “Independent snorkeling” doesn’t mean you’re totally left alone—your skipper is managing the boat and conditions—but you are responsible for your own water comfort. Bring the right gear so you can enjoy it without stress.

Lunch on a Boat: Creole colombo, coconut punch, and coffee/tea

The food on this tour is one of the reasons it gets such high marks. You get snacks onboard from the start—bananas and madeleines—and then an aperitif with drinks that sound very Guadeloupean: juice, coconut punch, and mango punch (including mangoes from the garden), plus savory bites like sausage and fish rillettes.

Lunch is a full Creole meal served onboard. The centerpiece is chicken colombo, made with fresh turmeric and ginger, served with rice and finished with homemade fruit salad. There’s also coffee and/or tea after lunch, plus bottled water throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages include the coconut punch and mango punch, and your skipper/crew handles service during the meal.

One small-but-important point: the standard meal is chicken colombo. If you’re avoiding chicken, there’s an option for a composed salad (rice, egg, feta, salad), and it’s described as free—just request it at least 36 hours before departure. If you have any dietary restrictions beyond that, it’s worth messaging ahead so they can advise what’s possible.

In terms of “value,” you’re paying for a full day at sea, plus a proper lunch and drinks, not just a snack and a sad sandwich. At $179.01 per person, that meal component helps the price feel more fair—especially because the trip stays small and you’re sailing the whole time.

Small-Group Advantage: safety talk, sailing tips, and calm handling

A maximum group size of nine is a big deal on a sailing day. It affects everything: how quickly people can get oriented, how easily the crew can run through safety instructions, and how much personal attention you get if you’re new to boating.

From the way different skippers are described, the sailing style seems consistent: professional, caring, and focused on safety. People mention safety reviews that put them at ease, and they also mention smooth maneuvers—no jarring chaos, just controlled handling.

You’ll also notice the crew treats the day like more than a checklist. Many praised skippers for sharing navigation tips and local knowledge, and for keeping the mood friendly while still being in charge. Some captains are described as doing multiple roles too—like chef/barista/bartender alongside captain duties—which matters because it makes the day feel seamless instead of segmented.

If you’re someone who enjoys learning a few practical things while you travel—how to handle a sailboat, what to watch for in the water, why certain spots are chosen—you’ll probably enjoy that extra layer.

What to Pack and How to Swim Smart (No Supervision Included)

Because the snorkeling and swimming stops are unsupervised, you should pack for comfort and safety, not just photos. You’ll want:

• A swimsuit you’re comfortable entering and exiting with
• Snorkel gear if you prefer your own (the tour provides the activity, but your comfort may vary)
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Water shoes or something with grip for uneven entry spots
• A dry bag for phone and documents

Also, time your food and drink. With snacks and drinks onboard, you’ll stay fueled, but it’s still smart to avoid heavy meals right before water time.

Finally, be honest with the skipper about swimming ability. The tour explicitly asks anyone who cannot swim to inform the skipper before departure. That isn’t “paperwork”—it’s how they keep the day enjoyable for everyone.

Motorized Les Saintes Village Time: houses, not long land touring

In addition to water time, you also get a motorized tour around the village of Les Saintes to see the houses. This is a nice add-on because Les Saintes has a specific look—compact, coastal, and characterful—and seeing it briefly from a vehicle helps you connect what you saw from the bay to what’s on land.

Just don’t expect a long, on-foot guided walk. The tour is mainly built around the sea day: sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and food onboard. If you’re craving a deep land-based exploration with museums and extended walking routes, you may need to pair this with other time on the island.

Price and Value: is $179.01 worth it?

Let’s talk value without pretending it’s “cheap.” At $179.01 per person, this is a paid-day experience. But you’re not buying just transport. You’re buying:

• A full-day sailboat charter (about nine hours)
• 100% sailing to Les Saintes (not a motor hustle)
• Snorkeling and swimming at accessible spots
• A Creole meal plus snacks and drinks
• Bottled water and coffee/tea
• Small group size (max 9)

If your alternative is doing a mix of separate tickets—boat transfer, paid snorkeling gear, and then grabbing food once you reach shore—this package often looks more reasonable. Here, your costs are bundled into one day that stays efficient: you sail, you swim, you eat, and you return by sunset.

It’s especially good value if you care about the “whole experience” day: water time plus lunch plus scenic sailing, all in one go.

Should You Book Reve de Nav’s Full-Day Sailing and Snorkeling to Les Saintes?

Book this if you want a relaxed, small-group sailing day with real water time, solid food, and skippers who manage the boat with confidence. The biggest selling points are the snorkeling in a UNESCO-listed bay and the shipwreck swim in the harbor area, plus the fact that the day is built around sailing rather than just ferrying you to another spot.

Skip it (or ask careful questions first) if you’re looking for a lot of guided land exploring, or if you don’t feel comfortable with unsupervised water stops. Also, if you need hotel pickup, note that this one doesn’t include that—you’ll meet at the stated address and handle your own arrival.

If you match the style—adventure, nature, and enjoying time on the water—you’ll likely come away with the kind of memory that’s simple and hard to replace: sun on deck, wind in your face, and a lunch that actually tastes like Guadeloupe.

FAQ

How long is the sailing and snorkeling excursion?

It runs about 9 hours, starting at 9:00 am and returning around sunset.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at 1040 Bd Amédée Valeau, Gourbeyre 97113, Guadeloupe. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Snacks onboard (bananas and madeleines), an aperitif with drinks and small bites, and a 3-course Creole lunch (including chicken colombo, rice, and homemade fruit salad). There’s also bottled water, coffee/tea, and alcoholic beverages like coconut punch and mango punch.

Does the trip include snorkeling and swimming?

Yes. You’ll have snorkeling and swimming stops at accessible spots around Les Saintes, including a shipwreck swim. Swimming stops are not supervised.

What if I can’t swim?

You must inform the skipper before departure if you cannot swim.

Is there a chance to steer the boat?

Yes. You can steer the sailboat during the sailing time if you want to, as part of the sailing initiation.

Is there a meal option if I don’t eat chicken?

The standard meal is chicken colombo. A composed salad option is mentioned as available for people who don’t eat chicken, and it needs to be requested at least 36 hours before departure.

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