A day on a small sailboat changes your pace. This full-day charter to Les Saintes mixes sailing across Guadeloupe waters with snorkeling and swimming at standout spots, plus a Creole lunch served onboard. My favorite parts are the chance to participate by steering alongside the captain and the hearty, flavorful meal (chicken colombo with turmeric and ginger). One thing to think about: the swim/snorkel stops are in accessible places but they’re not supervised, so you need to be comfortable in the water and tell the skipper up front if you can’t swim.

The overall vibe is calm and hands-on, not crowded. With a maximum group size of 9, you get safety talk, navigation guidance, and time to actually look around instead of rushing from one stop to the next. You’ll also get friendly, professional captaining—names like Mathieu, Raphaëlle, Didier, and Olivier show up in glowing feedback for combining competence with a fun, welcoming onboard rhythm. If you’re after a boat day with both views and participation, this is built for you.

Key points before you book

• Small group (max 9) so you’re not fighting for space when the boat tacks and turns
• Real sailing time to Les Saintes (not just a quick hop) with an option to take the helm
• Snorkeling in a UNESCO-listed bay plus another swim stop at a shipwreck spot
• Creole lunch onboard with chicken colombo and fruit salad, along with local punch drinks
• Motorized look at the village houses so you see Les Saintes from land without turning it into a long walking day
• Sunset return to Riviere-Sens Marina gives the trip a natural ending point instead of a mid-afternoon scramble

From Basse-Terre to Les Saintes: what the day actually feels like

You start at 9:00 am at 1040 Bd Amédée Valeau, Gourbeyre 97113 (Basse-Terre area). The schedule is straightforward: you head out by sail, spend focused time around Les Saintes, and come back at sunset to Riviere-Sens Marina—so your day has a beginning, a big middle, and a cinematic landing back on shore.

The travel time matters here because it’s not one of those tours that feels like you’re constantly “in transit.” The sailing crossing toward Les Saintes takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, and the return is about 1.5 hours. That means you get time to settle into the day: watch the coastline slide by, listen to onboard explanations, and actually feel what sailing is like instead of just getting transported.

You’ll also notice the trip is built around water time, not checklists. You’re cruising to viewpoints around Guadeloupe (including the area tied to Cabrit Island) before the Les Saintes portion, and then the Les Saintes day is anchored by swimming and snorkeling stops in accessible locations inside a UNESCO-listed bay. If you like your travel days to be physical but not exhausting, this hits the sweet spot.

Helm time with a captain-teacher: the participation part

Here’s what makes this tour stand out from typical island excursions: you don’t just sit there. There’s a sailing initiation element, and the captain makes it possible for you to helm the boat alongside the captain-teacher.

During the main sailing segments, you have a window where steering is an actual option, not a vague promise. In plain terms, you’ll get the chance to handle the boat (when conditions allow and based on the skipper’s approach) while the crew keeps everything safe. That’s why this feels great even if you’re not a sailor: someone competent walks you through it, and you get a sense of how the boat moves.

In the feedback, skippers are repeatedly praised not only for driving but for teaching. People specifically call out the skipper’s ability to put passengers at ease with safety guidance and to keep explanations clear. If you’ve ever wanted to say you did more than watch the scenery from a deck, this is one of those rare trips where you can.

Stop by stop: sailing across Guadeloupe waters

The Guadeloupe portion is mainly about getting you into the right mood—on a sailboat, with time to see the coastline from the water. You’re out for roughly 4 hours total across this phase, including the channel sailing and the return segment.

Why I like this design: it treats the outward sail as a highlight, not a waiting room. You’re crossing the channel for about 2.5 hours, and then on the way back you’re given another chance to steer for around 1.5 hours (again, conditions and skipper discretion apply). So even if the Les Saintes activities are the headline, you’re not “wasting” the first half of the day.

Also, being on the water changes how you understand Guadeloupe. From a boat, everything is about shape and depth: ridgelines, shore angles, and the way light changes on the waterline. You’ll feel the difference between looking at islands and watching them unfold.

Les Saintes snorkeling and the shipwreck swim: the real centerpiece

Once you reach Les Saintes, the day shifts into swim-and-sight mode. This is the part that most directly connects you to the place, because you’re working with the water instead of just looking at it.

You get independent snorkeling at an accessible spot within a UNESCO-listed bay. Independent doesn’t mean you’re alone forever—it means you’re responsible for your own timing and comfort in the water, and the spot is described as accessible. The key practical detail: swimming stops are unsupervised, so you must treat this like your own swim session while staying aware of the boat and meeting points.

Then there’s a second water moment: swimming near a shipwreck spot in/around the harbor area of Les Saintes. People call this out as a standout because it’s not just “pretty fish” snorkeling. You’re snorkeling in a location with structure and story you can physically see beneath the surface.

A note that really matters for your comfort: you must tell the skipper if you can’t swim before departure. That safety expectation isn’t just a formality—it affects how the crew plans swim windows and boat positioning. If you’re comfortable in the water, this is the highlight that turns a nice sail into a memorable one.

Village sighting by motor: seeing Les Saintes without the long walk

Les Saintes isn’t only water. You also get a motorized tour to see the houses in the village of Les Saintes. Think of it as a short, visual context piece so you understand what you saw from the boat.

This works well if you’re the type who likes to connect dots: you snorkel, you see the island from water, and then you get a quick look at how the village fits into the geography. It’s not positioned like a full day of land touring, and that’s a good thing—because your time budget is already strong on the water.

If your ideal vacation day includes a mix (views, water time, and a taste of local life), this “see the village houses” component helps round it out.

Creole lunch onboard: chicken colombo and local punch

Let’s talk food, because this is where value starts stacking up. You’re not just getting snacks. You get a full onboard meal structure with appetizers and coffee, plus an included Creole plate.

Before lunch, there’s an aperitif onboard with options like juice and coconut punch and mango punch. There’s also food like sausage and fish rillettes. The lunch itself is described as a homemade Creole meal: rice, chicken colombo (with fresh turmeric and ginger), and homemade fruit salad. Coffee and/or tea come after.

Why I think this is good for you: the flavors match the setting. Colombo is warm and spiced in a way that feels right after time in sun and saltwater. And serving it onboard means you’re not hunting for a restaurant and losing your momentum.

There’s also a practical snack layer earlier: bananas and madeleines. It’s a small detail, but it matters on a 9-hour day. Between sailing time, snorkel windows, and settling in for lunch, you’re less likely to crash.

Diet note: the standard lunch is chicken colombo. If you don’t eat chicken, there’s a free alternative mentioned in the trip feedback: a composed salad with rice, egg, feta, and salad. The catch is timing—you need to request it at least 36 hours before departure.

Snorkel timing, groups, and onboard energy

This tour runs about 9 hours total, and it’s paced so you get multiple chunks of time rather than one long continuous activity. You’ll sail out, you’ll reach Les Saintes, you’ll have snack/aperitif and lunch, and then you’ll return by sail for that sunset endpoint.

The maximum of 9 travelers is a big deal for comfort. On a small sailboat, the difference between 6 people and 12 is the difference between easy movement and constant bumping. Here, you’re more likely to enjoy the boat environment: sitting where you want, getting a good look during sailing turns, and having space around the lunch table.

Onboard, the energy is often described as friendly and relaxed, but also organized. Safety guidance is part of the experience, and the skipper role comes through clearly—people talk about confidence in the captain and willingness to answer questions. That blend matters if you’re traveling with friends or family and want a day that feels both fun and safe.

Price and value: why $179.01 makes sense here

At $179.01 per person, you might wonder if this is too much for a day on the water. Here’s the value angle that makes it feel reasonable.

You’re paying for more than a boat ride:

• Full-day sailing to Les Saintes (and back) using sailing rather than motor-only transit
• Snorkeling and swimming time at specific accessible spots in a UNESCO-listed bay and near a shipwreck area
• Snacks (bananas and madeleines)
• A full 3-course Creole lunch experience onboard, including aperitif items, chicken colombo, fruit salad, and coffee/tea
• Beverages including coconut and mango punch (with mangoes noted as coming from the garden), plus bottled water
• Sailing initiation and helm time option alongside the captain-teacher
• A small group size, which you feel directly on a boat

If you compare this to piecing together a boat charter without meals and without guided sailing participation, the per-person price often starts to look less like a splurge and more like a bundled day plan. You’re also not fighting for a tour window or wasting time transferring—this is one continuous experience from meeting point to sunset return.

Who should book this sailing and snorkeling day?

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A day that’s active but not punishing (snorkeling and swimming breaks, plus sailing)
• Views from the water of Guadeloupe and Les Saintes
• A small-group feel with a captain who teaches rather than just drives
• A lunch that tastes like Guadeloupe, not like generic cruise food

It may be less ideal if:

• You cannot swim and don’t want to share that information with the skipper. The tour explicitly requires that people who can’t swim inform the skipper before departure.
• You prefer fully supervised swimming. Here, swim stops are unsupervised, even though the locations are accessible.
• You’re expecting a long, independent walking tour of the island. You get a motorized look at village houses, but the day is still centered on the boat and water time.

Should you book Reve de Nav for Les Saintes?

If you’re choosing between a standard island day and something more hands-on, I’d lean toward this one. The combination of sailing time, the chance to steer the boat, and the water-focused Les Saintes snorkeling at a UNESCO bay plus shipwreck swim makes the day feel like a real experience instead of a checklist outing.

Book it if you’re comfortable in the water and you like the idea of spending hours on deck, eating well onboard, and returning as the light softens. Pass on it—or at least ask the provider questions first—if you want fully supervised swimming or if your comfort level in open water is low.

FAQ

How long is the full-day excursion to Les Saintes?

It runs about 9 hours, starting at 9:00 am and returning at sunset to Riviere-Sens Marina (back at the meeting point).

Where do we meet?

Meet at 1040 Bd Amédée Valeau, Gourbeyre 97113, Guadeloupe. The tour ends back at this meeting point.

What’s included for food and drinks?

You’ll get snacks (bananas and madeleines), an onboard aperitif (juice plus coconut punch and mango punch, with food like sausage and fish rillettes), a homemade Creole lunch (rice, chicken colombo with turmeric and ginger, and fruit salad), plus coffee and/or tea. Bottled water is included, and alcoholic punch is listed as included too.

Can I steer the sailboat?

Yes. There’s an option to take the helm alongside the captain-teacher, and the crew provides sailing initiation.

Is snorkeling supervised?

The snorkeling and swimming are at accessible spots, but the swimming stops are unsupervised. You’re responsible for your own safety and comfort in the water.

Is lunch available if I don’t eat chicken?

The standard lunch is chicken colombo. An alternative salad option is mentioned as free, but it needs to be requested more than 36 hours before departure.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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