The best quintet is the Guadeloupe islands. This archipelago inside an archipelago is located in the Lesser Antilles; north of Dominica, and south of Antigua.
Basse Terre, the lower part of the two larger islands is the capital of this French overseas territory. It has beautiful black volcanic sand beaches.
Grand Terre, as its name suggest is the larger of the islands and features pristine turquoise lagoons.
Marie Galante is an interesting island for history travelers, since all of its history has been preserved; thus making it an exciting adventure through time. The islands of Les Saintes forms a small archipelago on the southern coast of Basse Terre. It features one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Anse du Bourg. The island of La Désirade- The Desired One, is a nature reserved and is easy to fall in love with. It features great snorkeling and swimming sites.
Guadeloupe offers exploration, history, beaches, and nature that will make you a frequent returning visitor.
Why do you travel?
Guadeloupe Events 2023
January
Jour de l'An- New Year Festivities January 1st - This is the opening of the Carnival season. Every Sunday afternoon in various towns leading up to Carnival in March, revelers dance in the streets, showcasing their costumes.
FEMI International And Regional Cinema Festival. January 25 -29, 2023- FEMI's mission is to promote cinematographic works and filmmakers from the West Indies and French Guiana and the Caribbean, which are not well known and often overlooked by the general public.
February
African Culture Month February 1st - 28th 2023
Carnival - Carnival festivities is continued with the main event, the “jours gras” (4 days) which precedes Ash Wednesday. Street parades, bands, floats, pageants, jump-ups, masquerade balls, and competitions for the Carnival King and Queen titles in Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre, and other towns.
On Ash Wednesday, dressed in black and white, Carnival goers mourn their King Vaval burnt on a bonfire. Carnival Time is over and the Lent period starts.
“Les Nuits Caraïbes” 17 - 26, 2023 - 
The 20th anniversary of Nuits Caraïbes will showcase an extraordinary line-up of artists. With a medley of musical styles on offer, attendees can expect a unique and diverse array of powerful and captivating performances that promise to leave a lasting impression. From traditional Caribbean rhythms to contemporary sounds, this year's Nuits Caraïbes is set to be a celebration of artistic diversity like no other.
March
Crab Festival - Morne-à-l'Eau, located on Basse-Terre Island in Guadeloupe, is a town that knows how to throw a good party. Since 1993, the town has hosted an annual crab festival in March or April, which showcases exciting crab races and a plethora of stalls offering a variety of mouth-watering crab-based dishes. The festival is not just about indulging in delectable cuisine but also involves fun activities such as donkey races, crab-eating contests, and cane sugar tastings. With a lively and festive atmosphere, the crab festival in Morne-à-l'Eau is a must-attend event for foodies and culture enthusiasts alike.
April
Le Guadarun April 7th- 15th 2023 - This is a 95 miles raid adventure that will test participants' endurance. It is 6 stages on the islands of Guadeloupe's archipelago: La Désirade, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, Basse-Terre, and Grande-Terre.
The GUADARUN is not your average marathon - it's the ultra-marathon of the islands, and participants must be prepared to face an array of challenges. With steep elevation changes, unpredictable weather conditions, and a variety of terrains to navigate, completing the 6 trails in 6 days requires immense endurance and mental fortitude.
However, despite the intense competition and grueling physical demands of the race, the spirit of camaraderie and conviviality is what truly sets the GUADARUN apart. Participants from all over the world come together to push themselves to the limit while supporting and encouraging one another along the way. For anyone seeking an unforgettable and uniquely challenging marathon experience, the GUADARUN is a must-do event.
Le Terra Festival March 17 -25, 2023 -This film festival is aimed at the protection of the environment and sustainable development. Works shown includes documentaries, animated films, science fiction, technical and educational character shows, and short films.
May
Fête du Travail/Labour Day May 1st Public holiday
Commemoration of the end of World War II 8th May . This Public holiday celebrates the victory of the allied forces with official ceremonies and military pageants.
Pentecost Festival/ La Pentecôte May 28th 2023 Public holiday – A Christian celebration of family fun activities, beach parties during the long weekend, with Creole food galore: Ti Punch, Boudin créole, Accras Giraumon/Malanga, Coconut ice cream.
Le Terre de Blues Festival May 26 -29, 2023 -This is a four day event on the island of Marie-Galante, features top international artists.
Abolition/ Emancipation Day May 27th - This Public holiday is the commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery Remembrance Day. It celebrates the abolition of slavery with events that includes official ceremonies, cultural and sportive events; Tribute to Delgrès, Ignace and Solitude, the local heroes and martyrs of the Guadeloupe Islands’ history.
July
The All Day Music Festival - July 22-23, 2023
The TGVT (Tour of Guadeloupe) This traditional Sailing competition will place in July
October
Creole Month October 1 - 28 October 2023- A month-long celebration of creole culture food, music and dance culminating on
World Creole Day October 28th 2023. Creole Day is a vibrant cultural celebration held annually on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. The holiday is observed on the last Sunday in October and is a celebration of the island's rich Creole heritage. During Creole Day, locals don traditional Creole clothing and indulge in traditional Creole dishes such as accras (fried cod fritters), boudin (blood sausage), and colombo (a curry-like stew). There are also music and dance performances showcasing the island's unique blend of African, European, and Caribbean cultures. This vibrant celebration is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing the rich culture and traditions of Guadeloupe.
November
The Route To Rhum Movember 2023