A nature reserve with an open heart

The Grand-Cul-de-Sac Marin:

The National Park of the Islands of Guadeloupe and its nature reserve welcome diving lovers all year round. Fragile and strong at the same time, this area of approximately 135,000 hectares can be navigated and discovered.” In full consciousness ” to preserve its treasures.

Story of a contemplative excursion:

Baie-Mahault

Meet at 8:30am at the Baie-Mahault marina. In the early morning, the view is divine. Lined with nature and tropical trees, the coral reef and the small surrounding islands protect the lagoon from the waves. The water is always flat and calm. The Azimut catamaran can be reached with a small zodiac. The team set sail, heading north, heading for a wreck of a sugar bowl that fed the Arbousier distillery. This barge ran aground on the coral reef in 1989. Noted at a depth of 1m20 on maps, it is very widely visible under transparent waters. We are invited, with fins, masks and snorkels to discover the site and its new inhabitants: numerous tropical fish.

L'îlet Caret

The second stop is Îlet Caret for an aperitif with your feet in the water. A great opportunity for children and those who dread the depths to splash around in this natural pool. This short stop allows you to discuss with the leaders of the excursion and thus learn that this islet has the same name as the Caret turtles who come to lay eggs once a year in the sand.

Fageou Island and the coral reef

Last stop of the day between Fageou Island and the coral reef. The team takes care to put the ink on a buoy to avoid dredging the seabed. Here, we are in the zone at the heart of the reserve park so jet skiing and fishing are regulated. This area is delimited by special markings: yellow markers with a Saint-André cross. ” We all need meaning to live, we all need respect for the environment ” explains the captain. While the team prepares lunch, we set off to discover a real tropical marine forest. One of the most spectacular marine ecosystems that are home to thousands of animal and plant species. With our astonished eyes, we meet surgeon fish, parrots, parrots, butterflies, barracudas but also polyps (corals of immense sizes) where certain species will often lay eggs away from predators. One of the best diving spots, the Fageot island point allows you to see, just by snorkeling, a diversity of colorful fish that is very easy to access. A significant advantage, this site is difficult to access because you have to make your way between coral potatoes. Increasingly, protective measures are being put in place to maintain the population level and the current state of the water. This beautiful excursion is yours, accessible to all, all year round, every day during the tourist season.

* starting from €85 per person.