Guadeloupe: Stand Up Paddle Mangrove Tour & Homemade Lemonade

Summary

Stand up paddle through Guadeloupe’s peaceful mangroves with local stories and a sweet lemonade pause

You’ll paddle calm waters from Babin Beach with a local guide, slip quietly beneath mangrove tunnels in Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, spot wildlife up close, and end your tour sipping homemade lemonade in a hidden cove. Expect simple joys: laughter when someone wobbles, sunlight on your skin, moments of real quiet — all at your own pace.

What’s the experience like?

I wasn’t really expecting Babin Beach to be so quiet. We’d just left the main road behind — suddenly it was just the soft slap of water against the boards and a few pelicans eyeing us from the shallows. Our guide, Yannick, grinned as he handed me my paddle. “Don’t worry,” he said, “if you fall in, it’s warm.” I did wobble at first (my legs felt like spaghetti), but after a few tries, I got the hang of this stand up paddle thing. The water here is ridiculously clear — you can see tiny fish darting under your feet if you look down long enough.

Once we’d all found our balance, Yannick led us out toward Islet Macou. It’s not far — maybe 20 minutes of gentle paddling — but everything changes as you glide into the mangrove. The air goes still and smells kind of earthy-salty, almost sweet in places. We ducked under these tangled green tunnels where sunlight flickers through leaves and roots twist down into the water. Yannick stopped to point out little crabs scrambling sideways on branches (he called them by their Creole names; I tried repeating one and he laughed). He explained how the mangroves protect Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin from storms and why they’re home to so many weird creatures I’d never noticed before.

I liked that we could get into these narrow spots boats couldn’t reach — it felt private, but not lonely. There was this moment where everyone just stopped paddling for a second and listened: birds chattering somewhere deep inside, something plopping into the water nearby, even the wind sounded different here. After winding through what Yannick called “plant tunnels,” we ended up in this tiny cove I would’ve missed if I’d blinked. He pulled out a thermos of homemade lemonade (tart and cold — honestly perfect after all that sun) and we sat on our boards with our feet dangling in the water.

I still think about that silence in the mangrove sometimes — how close everything felt, even though we were just floating there with strangers who didn’t stay strangers for long. If you’re looking for some big adrenaline rush, maybe this isn’t it… but if you want to actually feel Guadeloupe for a morning, stand up paddle here is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Stand-up paddle and mangrove tour

• Learn stand-up paddleboarding
• Paddle to Islet Macou along mangrove
• Observe marine fauna and flora
• Explore mangrove tunnels and galleries
• Stop for homemade lemonade

Top questions

Is this stand up paddle tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, beginners are welcome and will receive instruction from a qualified guide before heading out.

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins at Babin Beach in Guadeloupe.

How long does it take to reach Islet Macou?

It takes about 20 minutes of gentle paddling from Babin Beach to Islet Macou.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children under 12 can join by riding on their parents’ or instructor’s board.

What is included in the price?

The price includes stand up paddle board rental with leash, photo report, and homemade lemonade during the break.

Is lunch provided?

No lunch is included; only homemade lemonade is provided during the stop at the cove.

Can people with health issues join?

This tour is not recommended for those with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day comes with all equipment provided: stand up paddle board with leash and paddle, plus photos taken along the way by your guide. After exploring Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin’s mangroves together, you’ll pause for homemade lemonade served right on your board before heading back to shore.