Guadeloupe: Mangrove Boat Tour, Snorkeling & Ilet Blanc Planteur

Summary

Snorkel Guadeloupe’s coral lagoon, glide past mangroves and share planteur on wild islets

You’ll drift through Guadeloupe’s mangroves by boat with a local guide, hear stories on a peaceful river, snorkel above bright coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, then share homemade planteur on wild Ilet Blanc. Expect laughter, sea air, and moments you’ll want to hold onto long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the first time our boat slipped into the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin — the water was this weird, shifting patchwork of turquoise and deep blue, almost like someone spilled paint everywhere. Max, our captain for the day (he grew up around here), grinned as he steered us out from Sainte-Rose. He kept pointing out these knobbly trees with roots tangled in the water — mangroves, he said, “the real lungs of Guadeloupe.” The air smelled kind of briny and green at the same time. I wasn’t sure if it was the sea or those trees or both.

We drifted up a quiet river where everything just went silent except for birds flitting overhead. Max told stories about old fishermen and river spirits — half in French, half in Creole — and I caught maybe half of it but honestly, it didn’t matter. There was this moment when we all just listened to the wind rustling through leaves and nobody spoke for a minute or two. It felt good to be quiet together like that.

The snorkeling part was wild — warm water (Max said 29° but it felt even warmer), little fish darting everywhere under us near the barrier reef. I tried to remember all their names: parrotfish, surgeonfish… something called “cerveaux de Neptune” which sounds way fancier than it looks. My mask kept fogging up but I didn’t care much because every time I looked down there was something new moving in the coral shadows.

We ended up on Ilet Blanc with sand so white it almost hurt my eyes after all that blue. Max handed out his homemade planteur (rum punch) and we stood around laughing about who got sunburned worst. Feet in the sand, drink in hand — that’s the bit I keep thinking about when work gets noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore lagoon, mangrove, and snorkeling

• Meet your passionate boat captain
• Admire the unique mangrove forest
• Navigate the calm Mosquito River
• Discover unusual aquatic creatures
• Swim at the Guadeloupe coral reef
• Enjoy a planteur on Ilet Blanc

Top questions

How long does this Guadeloupe mangrove boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The departure point is Sainte-Rose in Guadeloupe.

Is snorkeling equipment provided during the tour?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included in your booking.

What wildlife can you see during the tour?

You may see tropical fish while snorkeling and birds along the river and mangroves.

Is food or drink included on this excursion?

A homemade planteur (rum punch) is served on Ilet Blanc at the end of the trip.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Sainte-Rose.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided boat trip from Sainte-Rose through Guadeloupe’s lagoon and mangroves with plenty of stories along the way; use of snorkeling gear for exploring coral reefs; plus a homemade planteur served right on the sands of Ilet Blanc before heading back together.