10 Things to do in Basse-Terre Island That You Shouldn't Miss

You know you need lots of vacation photos, so why not take them here? These three waterfalls showcase the natural beauty of the tropical landscape.

A Spectacular Botanical Garden and Wildlife Park Open to the public since the 1st April 2001, the Botanical Gardens at Deshaies are a recent creation. This park, whose youth is imperceptible, has very quickly imposed itself as the place to be for nature enthusiasts and lovers of tropical plants. Situated on the windward coast of Basse-Terre, 100m in altitude up above the town of Deshaies, the garden stretches out over 5 hectares of sloping mountainside. Its favourable location guarantees beautiful views over the coast and an unrivalled vantage-point overlooking the bay of Deshaies. The site was already home to a nursery created by Guy Blandin, a plant-lover who brought rare and unknown plant species from his travels around the world back to Guadeloupe. Many of them unfortunately disappeared when Cyclone Hugo hit and severely damaged the island in 1989. The humorist Michel Colluci, also known as Coluche, acquired the property in 1979. A few years later, in 1985, he invited his friend Michel Gaillard, an interior landscaper in mainland France, to set up his nursery there in exchange for taking care of the property's garden. A year later, the death of Coluche brought the future of the property back into question. Michel Gaillard bought back the property in 1991 to honour the memory of his friend, with the idea in mind of creating a botanical garden. This risky and ambitious project required several years of planning, of research into its feasibility and then of execution. The garden was finally brought about in accordance with Michel Gaillard's and the landscaper Samuel Craquelin's plans. Over the course of the path which snakes its way through the gardens, visitors today discover a world of real abundance: a world with 800 species of plant all brought together, with several animal species, which were introduced much to the delight of children, and with the most spectacular and unexpected landscapes following one after the other. Tourists are invited on an unforgettable walk amidst fifteen or so different scenes.

Here is the program of the day: Departure 8h from the fishing port of Sainte-Rose, direction Ilet Caret where you will enjoy a little take off. Then the captain will bring Diving on the wreck and the Great Barrier Reef (mask and snorkel lent). After the dive a return on Ilet Caret for a small aperitif before the West Indian meal concocted on site at the BBQ. Starter dish dessert! Drinks includes (sweet or alcoholic) Around 15H30 you start a quiet start to the cultural festival of the day! Guided tour of the mangrove always with the comments of your captain emeritus. After a little quiz and have learned how the mangrove a little surprise, you can admire the different varieties of birds that populate this exceptional vegetation. Your return to port is scheduled around 17:00. Half day is possible. it's the same program without the meal

The Rum Museum immerses you in past, to discover the Guadelupian traditions, the workers in the past, and the know-how of the manufacturing of rum. From the sugar cane cut to the fabrication of agricol rum. Many objects, collections of cutlass, exhibition of the traditional jobs by time, which restore the soul of authentic Guadeloupe. The visit continues with the gallery of the big models of transport sailboats of time, redrawing the history of the first boats built until our days. The rum museum and universal welcomes the collection of the most beautiful insects and butterflies of the world (Mr Chalumeau). More than 5000 insects chosen with the biggest delicacy, as well as one of the biggest "coléoptère" of the world. And finally, the distillery REIMONENQ open more than 100 years ago in 1916, proposes you a tasting of all agricol rum. Punches and cocktails, white rums and famous old Rums which gives the taste of the traditions.