What to do in Marie Galante? Coming to Guadeloupe and not taking the time to discover Marie–Galante would be a big mistake; The island boasts a beautiful diversity of points of interest and a certain tranquillity stemming from the fact that it has never sought to strongly develop tourism and that the Marie-Galantais are very charming people.
We spent 4 days and 3 nights visiting Marie-Galante and loved this part of Guadeloupe, both for its scenery and its warm welcome. In fact, it’s one of our favorites. For the record, Marie Galante got its name thanks to Christopher Columbus, who discovered it on his second voyage. He then named the island « Maria Galanta » according to name of its largest caravel : the Santa Maria.
In my experience, many people don’t include it in their first trip to Guadeloupe, or only go for the day, but it’s such a shame, because you’ll only get a tiny glimpse of the “Grande Galette” as it’s known!That’s why I’m giving you all our top tips, ideas for sightseeing and good places to eat and drink, to help you make the most of your stay over a longer period.
To our greatest surprise, even though travelers most often come for the day, Marie-Galante is still a very preserved from tourism. It’s still possible not to bump into anyone, even in high season. I’m tempted to say that this island is Guadeloupe’s best-preserved secret (compared to its neighbor, Les Saintes). One thing’s for sure: this island won’t leave you indifferent.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS :
| THE DISTILLERIES OF MARIE GALANTE
Marie Galante, or the island of 100 mills, also owes its nickname to its agricultural history linked to the cultivation of sugarcane.They were used to crush the plant and extract the juice for sugar production and rum distillation. Since then, the sugar industry has all but died out, leaving only Rum. The latter now holding an important place in Marie Galante as three major distilleries produce top-quality rums that many agree are the best in Guadeloupe and even the West Indies.
These 3 rum houses are called « Connecting rod », « Bellevue » and« Father Labat ». And I have to admit that Antoine, a great lover of rum, was delighted with the tastings (as was I), and we concluded that these were the best white rums we’d ever tasted (with a special mention for the Bielle!). Rums with a pronounced cane flavor and a rare roundness for products that have not been aged. To make up your own mind, you can visit the distilleries or simply order from any of the island’s bars and restaurants.
And in Marie–Galante, a somewhat surprising tradition for those who have never been here, continues to endure: to put the bottle on the table and let you serve your Ti’punch the way you like it. Don’t think of it as a way of encouraging you to drink, but rather as a way of preserving a tradition that leaves everyone free to choose their own drink. That’s what Guadeloupe is all about: generosity. So above all, play the game of not cheating on your debit, so that it can last over time.
But if cane cultivation was thus able to flourish in Guadeloupe and Marie Galante, of course, because this development was achieved with the sweat of slaves. To get an idea of what life was like around these plantations, be sure to visit the island’s two dwellings.First of all, the “Roussel-Trianon “, which is certainly the finest industrial vestige of Guadeloupe’s sugar industry. You’ll be able to make out the factory and mill, recognize the manor house and admire the marvellous state of preservation of the stables. Visits are free and can be made at any time of day. The second dwelling not to be missed is the Murat dwelling, transformed into an eco-museum of popular arts and traditions. It was the largest plantation in Guadeloupe in the 1830s, with over 300 slaves. Here too, the site includes the old factory, the remains of the mill, the restored buildings of the hospital that the plantations had to have for their slaves, and it’s in the heart of the manor house, on the heights of the property, that you’ll find the museum dedicated to three centuries of Guadeloupe’s sugar history. Please note that the site is only open in the morning, and we advise you not to come too late to avoid the flood of people (as all day visitors to the island pass through and arrive in the late morning). Drop by around 10am, as soon as it opens, to avoid the crowds.
By taking the time to stay on the island of Marie-Galante, you may have the opportunity to stop by the roadside and watch scenes of local life, namely farmers gathering sugar cane. Antoine couldn’t resist chatting with them and learning more about their working methods. These cane growers continue to carry out certain tasks by hand, but they are also accompanied by oxen, as they feel that machines do not add any value. A moment that really marked us on Marie-Galante.
Good to to know: The island’s distilleries open only at 9:30 a.m. and close at around 1 p.m. (on Sundays and public holidays, the opening hours are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.). All tours and day-trippers to Marie-Galante usually start with this visit, so I’d advise you to get there in the late morning, just before lunchtime.
If the cultural side of Marie–Galante is worth its weight in interest, and the nature side is not to be outdone!
| HIKING IN MARIE GALANTE
To get started, head for Capesterre and Marie–Galante for the « gallery trail». A short 45-minute stroll along the seafront, on a path that’s well worth the detour for its contrasting landscapes. It begins with a passage through undergrowth, before leading down to the seafront via a steeper section that requires you to thread your way between rocks. But don’t worry: it’s perfectly feasible as a family, as long as you have a baby carrier and good shoes to avoid slipping on the sharp rocks.
Further north and more spectacular, towards Saint-Louis, you’ll find « G ueule Grand Gouffre ». Just a short walk from the parking lot, this geological curiosity is an impressive open-air chasm where the waves of the sea crash and crash, offering breathtaking scenery. And if you’re up for a little hiking on slightly more winding paths, the highlight of the natural sights for us remains, the cliff and site of Caye Plate right next door. Arriving mid-afternoon with Gabriel on our backs, and just as the lights were getting warmer, we were enchanted by this hidden site, a small point of land overlooking the sea. On one side, you’ll be on top of a great arch smashed by the sea, and on the other, facing the ocean. An idyllic and surprising place where we were alone in the world!
For the more adventurous, you can also do « the cliff path » that will take you to Anse Piton. Approximately 4 to 5 hours’ walking, this hike is apparently magnificent.
| THE BEACHES OF MARIE GALANTE
Finally, Marie Galante has the advantage of offering a final, not inconsiderable attraction: beautiful coves and wild beaches that are rarely visited. And it’s towards Saint-Louis that you’ll find the little gems of the Marie-Galantais. Heading north, one after another the beaches of Moustique, Anse-Canot and Vieux-Fort.
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Mosquito Beach
As its name suggests, this beach should be avoided from mid-afternoon onwards, as it borders a wooded area, and is an ideal environment for invasion by our dear bloodthirsty friends! Outside this time slot, it’s a real gem. With its translucent waters and white sandy beach lined with vegetation, you’re sure to love it.
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The Plage Anse Canot
This beach is ideal for a family day out. The sheltered site is accessed via a clearing equipped with carbets (wooden tables overhung by a roof) and even a barbecue. On the beach, you’ll also find shaded areas and a heavenly beach with views of Dominica and La Désirade (on clear days). Absolutely magnificent. If you’d like to see some beautiful views, don’t hesitate to take the path that leads to Plage Moustique.
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Vieux-Fort Beach
Finally, Vieux-Fort beach. More open, this beach is also a small haven of peace. It overlooks the islet of Vieux-Fort and its atypical palm tree, and borders the small seaside road so lightly traveled that its potential nuisance is not even worth mentioning. The seabed is slightly rockier, but not really a hindrance to swimming. Next to Vieux Fort beach, you’ll find the pretty little cove of Anse Bambou.
Unfortunately, part of the coast is also affected by Sargasso at certain times of the year and it’s difficult to know in advance. However, we know that they come from the east coast, so the Capeesterre area was more affected by this phenomenon last August! Thanks to my local contacts, I’ll be able to tell you in advance which beaches to avoid when you book your next trip to Guadeloupe.
We had lunch not far from the Anse de la Feuillère and this beautiful beach of white sand and turquoise waters was covered in sargassum. The smell of the nearby creeks was very unpleasant.
<strong>Practical info | Marie Galante</strong>
| WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK AT MARIE GALANTE
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The Sun 7 Bar
Located just off the road to Capesterre from Grand-bourg, this bar-restaurant is a must on the island. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a sunset, facing the sea, with a drink in hand. The open terrace leads directly onto a small, grassy seaside garden. The water is so calm you’d think you were in a lagoon. The garden area has been designed for relaxation, with hanging armchairs, cushions and garlands of lime. The chill spot par excellence!
You’ll find a fine cocktail menu or simply a ti-punch with a choice of 3 local rums. On the restaurant side, lunch is available only. No evening service. The venue is very popular, so be sure to book ahead. The kitchen offers a bistronomic/traditional menu fused with French flavors. A good address to put in your notebook.
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The Dantana Café
Located in Capesterre, Marie–Galante, this beach bistro is the other place to go for lunch.This all-white wooden seaside restaurant exudes the spirit of a shack. The restaurant overlooks the beach (perfect for swimming), so you can enjoy lunch with your feet in the sand, or under the sheltered terrace.
In terms of cuisine, we found a fresh produce menu with a wide choice of seafood and well-presented plates. All in all, rather classic Guadeloupe recipes, but well-mastered dishes.
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The Playa Restaurant
Certainly the best culinary experience of our stay in Guadeloupe. The rather short menu is essentially sea-oriented. We tasted very good fish caught the same day, accompanied by original sauces highlighting the local terroir: dorade with lemon/safran sauce for me and sea bream with vanilla sauce for Antoine. Our taste buds still remember it. We can only recommend that you plan ahead and reserve your table in advance. Please note, the restaurant is only open in the evening.
The setting is equally pleasant: a small walled garden close to the vegetation surrounding the restaurant creates a cosy atmosphere.
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Au plaisir des Marins
A good local address known to all, both locals and day-trippers. The food is very good, but once everyone has left the restaurant, you can peacefully enjoy their little beach and deckchairs. We spent a few hours there, while Gabriel napped in the stroller under the palm tree! Not far from this restaurant, you can also try the l’Eden Voile.
There are also other addresses on Marie-Galante that I had noted to myself and that were recommended to me by the locals:
- The restaurant “The Brasserie du Port“
- O Vivier
- Coffee syrup
- The Playa from Capeesterre
- Chez loulou in the Bourg de Saint-Louis
- The table du Père La Bas in Saint-Louis (near the distillery)
- The vegetarian restaurant Jerico
- The Bar Ornata offering fresh juices
- Gino Pizza
- Chez Henri
| WHERE TO STAY IN MARIE GALANTE
There is a wide range of accommodation on Marie Galante. There are a number of 3* to 4* hotels, a wide range of gites to rent, as well as Airbnb and vacation homes. You’ll find what you’re looking for here.
I had spotted the following accommodations in Marie Galante, but they were all fully booked on our dates, too bad!
- The Noelesse home
- The M hotel
- Casa Creole with pool
- Villa The lizard in Grand-Bourg
- The Case Thea in Capeesterre
- Bungalow Sonia in Capeesterre
- Domaine de Meilly in Saint Louis
We stayed in this very pretty bungalow, fisherman’s hut style. We felt very comfortable here, thanks to its two terraces, but we had lots and lots of mosquitoes! Is it due to the location, the season, the weather in August etc., I don’t know but it’s the only negative point of this accommodation.
You’ll also find some great Airbnb properties in selecting the Superhost option or Airbnb luxe which I use every time I book. I invite you to take advantage of our discount on Airbnb if you are looking for an apartment. Remember to choose accommodation with a view, because waking up on your own little balcony with the sound of the waves, a view of the palm trees and a cup of coffee sitting in the sun is priceless!
| HOW MANY DAYS DOES IT TAKE TO VISIT MARIE-GALANTE
As read earlier in the article, we stayed there for 4 days/3 nights and I really advise you to spend at least 3 days to enjoy the island’s many attractions. Marie-Galante is a very special and authentic island.
- Combined day trip
For those who only have one day, I invite you to book an excursion which will allow you to make the most of your time and see the highlights of the island without getting frustrated! This activity combines the discovery of the island by minibus and small group: a visit to Grand-Bourg and its local market, a tour of a Guadeloupean rum factory and tasting session, the Murat dwelling, Guadeloupe’s largest former sugar cane plantation, a Creole lunch on the beach and some idleness. It also includes the return shuttle from Saint-François or Pointe à Pitre (45-minute crossing).
➡️Check availability here and book your land tour
- Combined full-day sea excursion
With a local guide, you can take advantage of a sunny day to set off on a small boat from Saint-François and visit the island of Marie-Galante. This outing takes in Grand-Bourg with its local market, Château Murat, Bellevue distillery, SIWO Batterie production and Gueule Grand Gouffre. Lunch is also included on the beach. You’ll have plenty of time to swim and enjoy the island’s turquoise waters.
To thank you for your loyalty, I’ve decided to share with you a 10% discount code valid until 31/10/24 on this site only: MANAWA
➡️Check availability here and book your sea excursion
| HOW TO GET TO MARIE GALANTE
The island of Marie-Galante is only accessible by boat.. It’s around forty kilometers from Pointe-à-Pitre, one of the possible departure points but be aware that you can also leave from Saint-François in the north of Grande-Terre and Les Saintes.
We set off from the town of Saint-François and the boat’s departure was at 7:05 am (yes, departures are often very early in Guadeloupe) but the company asks you to be there by 6:45 am. You can leave your car free of charge in the parking lot opposite the pier, but be sure to arrive early to secure a space nearby! Once parked, you’ll need to collect your tickets from the shipping company’s ticket office, where you’ll be asked for your booking reference. You can wait in the waiting room, where you’ll find toilets and small shops such as cafés/bakeries etc.
Luggage will be stowed at the rear of the boat in the designated area. There are no constraints in terms of number or weight. For our part, we chose to take only the essentials for a few days on the island, and to leave the big suitcases in the boot of the car.
Two companies operate daily services to Marie-Galante: The Express des Iles and Val Ferry. Both airlines are equivalent, but prices vary according to low or high season, departure days and chosen airline. Just be very careful about the port of arrival in Marie-Galante and don’t be fooled, because the boats arrive in either Grand-Bourg or Saint-Louis.
From Les Saintes, it’s the Comatrile company which organizes trips between Saint-Louis in Marie Galante and Terre-de-haut in Les Saintes.
- Pointe-à-Pitre/Grand-Bourg to Marie-Galante connections with Valferry (check each year on the respective websites: timetables, prices and information below.)
➡️ Pointe-à-Pitre to Grand-Bourg
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday – Saturday and Sunday: departures at 7.45am and 5pm. Friday* departure at 7.45am, 12.30pm* and 5pm.
➡️ Grand-Bourg to Pointe-à-Pitre
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday and Saturday: departure at 6.10am and 3.30pm. Friday* departure 6.10am, 9.10am* and 3.30pm – Sunday* departure 6.10am – 3.30pm and 6.00pm*.
- Rates approximate (before tax) :
- Adult: €42.00 return and €25.00 one-way.
- Adult: €20.00 return if you travel Tuesdays and Thursdays only in Marie-Galante
- Baby: €6.00 return and €3.00 one-way.
- Children aged 2 to 12: €25.00 return and €15.00 one-way.
- Seniors and young people under 26: €39.00 return and €22.00 one-way.
- Pointe-à-Pitre/Grand-Bourg to Marie-Galante with Express des Iles ((check each year on the respective websites: timetables, prices and information below.)
➡️ Pointe-à-Pitre to Grand-Bourg
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday – Saturday, departures at 8.15am and 5.15pm. Friday* departure at 8.15am, 1.15pm* and 5.15pm. Sunday* departure at 8.15am, 5.15pm and 7.30pm*.
➡️ Grand-Bourgto Pointe-à-Pitre
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday and Saturday, departures at 6am and 4pm. Friday* departure at 6am – 12pm* and 4pm – Sunday* departure at 6am, 4pm and 6.30pm*.
- Rates approximate (before tax) :
- Adult: €44.00 return and €25.00 one-way.
- TOUPITI : 29.00€ Return trip Tuesdays and Thursdays only in Marie-Galante.
- Children aged 2 to under 12: €33.00 return and €20.00 one-way.
- Children under 2: €6.00 return and €3.00 one-way.
- Links Saint-François (Grande-Terre)/ Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante with Comadile (check each year on the respective websites: timetables, prices and information below.)
➡️ LINKS SAINT-FRANÇOIS / MARIE-GALANTE
Saint-François → St-Louis de Marie-Galante : Monday – Wednesday – Saturday departure 07:15 – Return 16:20
Sunday: No rotations for the moment.
- Approximate rates:
- Adult €41.00 one-way and €30.00 one-way.
- Children: €32.00 round-trip for the day / €10.00 for babies (0 to 2 years) and €20.00 one-way.
- Links Saint-Louis (Marie-Galante)/ Terre-de-haut aux Saintes with Comatrile (check each year on the respective websites: timetables, prices and information below.)
➡️ CONNECTIONS MARIE-GALANTE / LES SAINTES
Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante → Les Saintes (Terre-De-Haut): Departures at 07:45 and Returns at 15:30 (Terre-De-Haut toSaint-Louis de MG).
➡️ MARIE-GALANTE / SAINT-FRANCOIS LINKS
Saint-Louis of Marie-Galante > Saint-François: Departures at 4:15pm and returns at 7:05am (Saint-François to Saint-Louis de MG).
Crossing time: 0h45.
In the port of Saint-Louis, tickets can be purchased directly on the boat (no ticket office at MG). Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before departure.
We paid around 120€ for 2 adults and 1 baby aged 1 year. The ferries are quite large inside, so you’ll have no trouble carrying your suitcase if you need to spend several nights there.
As for the crossing, it lasts around 1h and can sometimes prove hectic in August. Indeed, the sea was a little rough the day we boarded and Gabriel (like all the other children on board) experienced his first bout of seasickness (if you know what I mean!). If you’re traveling with children, remember to sit at the stern or on the upper deck of the boat and watch the horizon. Fresh air often avoids these inconveniences.
Return trips by boat from Marie-Galante to Saint-François usually take place around 4pm. Don’t ask me how it’s possible, but the return trip takes a little longer – 1h15 to 1h30 by boat – and the sea is less rough. The locals even admitted to me that people rarely get sick on the way back (and this is approved; Gabriel lasted the whole crossing)!
One thing’s for sure, in high season, I strongly advise you to book your boat tickets for Marie-Galante in advance, as everything is often fully booked. The island is very popular with visitors from all over the world, most of whom visit during the day.
| HOW TO GET AROUND MARIE GALANTE
Marie-Galante is not a very large island, but it does have 84 km of coastline, so it is essential to have a means of locomotion to tour the island and be totally free. (I didn’t see any buses on the island! ) You can rent a car or scooter by the day, week or month.
With a 12-month-old, we have chosen to rent a car with a baby seat and it’s hard to find any in the middle of August! Hence It’s important to plan ahead once again, as all cars rent out very quickly in high season and during school vacations. We paid around 204€ for a Peugeot 308 rental, for 4 days/3 nights.
➡️ Compare car rental offers and check availability here
If you want to rent a scooter for a day or several days, we’ve seen many rental agencies on the port de Grand-Bourg but also on the Saint-Louis side. Just bear in mind that if you arrive in high season, there may be no scooters available or the agency may not yet be open to rent you a vehicle.
As you can see, Marie–Galante was one of our favorites.. We don’t regret having spent a few days there to appreciate its beauty but also its gentle way of life. We also met some great locals with whom we were able to chat about the culture of Marie-Galantaise.
A trip to Guadeloupe requires a lot of logistics if you’re looking for something authentic. The service providers I work with to create your tailor-made trip are hand-picked for their ethics and professionalism. They don’t do mass tourism! They will be proposed to you in the quote, only on the booking of a trip from A to Z, i.e. flights, accommodation and activities.
To request a quote and a tailor-made trip to discover the authentic Guadeloupe, contact me by email atcontact@mademoiselle-voyage.fr. I invite you to read the customized travel where I present my business as a licensed travel agency.
Before you leave, take a look at our other articles on Guadeloupe to help you prepare for your trip:
Take a look at our articles on Guadeloupe to help you plan your trip:
