Set sail aboard a traditional Saintoise boat with a 2×150 CV engine, captained by Sylvio – a passionate, attentive skipper and nature expert. Set sail for Petite Terre for a morning’s snorkelling with turtles and the lagoon’s marine life, then head to La Désirade to explore its fishing village and enjoy a local meal in a friendly atmosphere.
Your day will get off to a gentle start with Sylvio, your skipper, known for his kindness and professionalism. From 6.45 am, he’ll welcome you with a calm and reassuring smile, always taking the time to make sure everyone feels at ease before leaving the marina. The trip sets off around 7.15 am, with no stress: with Sylvio, everything runs smoothly and is well organised, and you immediately feel you’re in good hands.
The crossing takes place aboard a traditional ‘Saintoise’, the iconic boat of Guadeloupe’s fishermen, adapted here to passenger safety standards (NUC). Sylvio, an excellent sailor, handles this vessel with a skill that is frequently mentioned in reviews: he anticipates the waves, adapts to the conditions, and constantly ensures the passengers’ comfort.
On the way, enjoy the panoramic view of the Pointe des Châteaux, whilst he shares some initial information about the region and the day ahead.
At around 8.00 am, you’ll arrive at Petite Terre, a true natural sanctuary. Equipped with your snorkelling gear (not provided), you’ll set off to explore the lagoon. Where other captains simply accompany you, Sylvio truly guides you: he shows you where to spot turtles, rays and lemon sharks, and explains their behaviour, their role in the ecosystem, and the best ways to approach them without disturbing them.
His passion for nature is infectious: many visitors leave amazed at having “learnt so much” in just one morning.
The guided tour of the island reflects his character: precise, passionate and respectful. He loves introducing visitors to the history of Petite Terre, its unique wildlife and its protected areas — always in an educational way.
At 11.40 am, we set off for La Désirade, arriving at Beau Séjour around 12.10 pm. On the magnificent Fifi beach, an aperitif followed by a local meal awaits you. The atmosphere is friendly, unpretentious and authentic.
Sylvio is there, attentive but never intrusive. There’s no forced entertainment: his warm personality is enough to set the mood. Some travellers highlight just how well he knows how to “put everyone at ease”, answer questions, and talk about local life, traditions, fishing or even the island’s environmental challenges.
After the meal, enjoy a swim, relax, explore the village or take a one-hour minibus tour, whichever you prefer. Once again, Sylvio is on hand to offer advice to everyone with patience and a willingness to help.
The return journey to Saint-François follows the rhythm of the sea. A gentle sail, a serene atmosphere – a final chance to admire the blue of the lagoon and simply let yourself relax.
Many describe this day as “the best of their holiday”, led by a passionate, reassuring captain who is deeply attached to his islands.
Meal (restaurant):
Sea forecasts and conditions — we track marine weather to guide travellers towards the best time slots.
| Day | Swell | Wind | Reco. | Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 30 Oct | 1.0 m | 23 km/h | Ideal | 29° |
| Sat 31 Oct | 1.0 m | 20 km/h | Ideal | 29° |
| Sun 1 Nov | 1.1 m | 24 km/h | Ideal | 29° |
| Mon 2 Nov | 1.2 m | 26 km/h | Fair | 29° |
| Tue 3 Nov | 1.2 m | 24 km/h | Ideal | 29° |
Confirmed based on the day's weather · trip confirmed based on sea conditions.
202 reviews for Fisherman and a woman from Saintes on La Désirade and Petite Terre
Magnifique journée avec Sylvio! Sylvio est adorable, discret et très organisé ! Et on sent vraiment son Amour pour sa Terre, et ses Fonds Marins... Petite Terre était vraiment paradisiaque... La Desirade grandement authentique! Un grand merci, nous sommes répartis avec des souvenirs pleins la tête et le cœur ! C'était genial Laurianne et Quentin
Une journée magique. Sylvio est aux petits soins de ses hôtes. Nous avons apprécié la balade en mer ainsi que toutes ses connaissances locales qu'il partage. Le punch sur le bateau était top... Petit plus lorsque nous avons croisé une baleine et son petit. Merci Sylvio de nous avoir fait partager ce moment hors du temps.
Expérience incroyable sur l’île de Petite-Terre ! Super ambiance sur le bateau, repas très bons, apéritifs excellents et propositions de boissons régulières tout au long de la traversée. Le capitaine était très à l’écoute et attentif au bien-être de tous ses passagers. La visite de Petite-Terre était très sympathique, avec de très bons conseils et des explications intéressantes tout au long de la journée. Petit bémol cependant lors de l’arrivée à La Désirade : la guide du bus était assez nonchalante et ne parlait pas assez fort malgré nos remarques. La visite n’était donc pas très satisfaisante, ce qui est dommage pour une si belle île. Malgré cela, la journée était incroyable, une superbe expérience avec une très bonne ambiance. Je recommande !
Que dire de cette journée exceptionnelle avec Sylvio. C'est un capitaine d'une grande gentillesse et d'une grande générosité. Drôle, accessible et prévenant. Si vous prévoyez d'aller à Petite terre, c'est avec lui! Vous ne serez pas déçus !
Your request is sent to our team, who checks availability for the trip. No payment is required at this stage.
Moins de 48 heures avant le début de l'activité : non remboursable.
A minimum of 8 people is required for the trip to go ahead
Children under the age of 3 and pregnant women are not permitted to take part in this excursion
Not recommended for people with health problems. In this case, opt for the day-trip on a catamaran
Pregnant women are not permitted to take part in this activity.
If the skipper cancels due to rough seas, you can choose between a rescheduled trip or a full refund.
