Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on April 24, 2021
Sainte-Anne is, for many people, one of the most beautiful beach in Guadeloupe. If you visit the island, it is quite likely that Sainte-Anne will be one of the places you stay (or perhaps your main destination) during your trip. Although the sea bed is not very interesting, don’t hesitate to pay it a visit, as this is a spot that is accessible, free, and anything but disappointing.
Sainte-Anne is located on Grande-Terre, the eastern wing of the main Guadeloupe island, some 15 miles (25km) east of Pointe-à-Pitre. From Pointe-à-Pitre, take the N4 (route nationale 4), following the signs for « Gosier » and « Sainte-Anne/Saint-François ».
It takes about 45 minutes by car from Pointe-à-Pitre when the traffic is light. The beach is well signposted (“Plage du Bourg”) from the main road, just after you enter the village.
Sainte-Anne’s beach is divided by three rocky jetties. We recommend getting into the water from the beach, near the first jetty you will see when you arrive in Saint-Anne from Pointe-à Pitre.
The area to explore is enclosed by the beach and the barrier reef, which are distant of 150 to 200m in this part of the lagoon. It covers sandy and grassy seabed, poor in coral, but relatively rich in underwater life.
As you move away from the beach, you cross 100 meters or so of sandy seabed with scattered rocks and coral areas (↕0.5-1m), which grow denser as you move closer to the reef. Approximately 50 meters before the reef (↕0.5m), the coral becomes so dense that you can’t go any further, while the water level gradually falls.
The rocks provide small areas of sea life that are interesting to explore. Small groups of grunt, beau gregory and yellowtail damselfish move between the rocks and small corals, which are colonized by a few sea urchins.
You will also see juvenile blue tang and foureye butterflyfish, which are among the most colorful species in the lagoon. You can also explore the sandy seabed to find a queen conch, which are pretty common at this location.
This spot is only partially sheltered by a coral reef. Stay at a distance from the reef (waves are strong in this area) and don’t try to go to the other side of the barrier, where the sea is rougher. Swim carefully, because the area is shallow and there are a lot of sea urchins. There are always a lot of swimmers on the spot, so watch out for others.
Sainte-Anne is the most popular beach in Guadeloupe. It is a particularly lively town, including in the evening. It has a wide range of accommodation and many places to eat. There is a series of bar vans, restaurants and hotels along the seafront. A daily colorful market is located in front of the small fishing port.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
