Top Things to do in Basse-Terre Island
Top Restaurants in Basse-Terre Island
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What to do and see in Basse-Terre Island, Guadeloupe: The Best Waterfalls
Discover the best top things to do in Basse-Terre Island, Guadeloupe including La Cascade Paradis, Carbet Falls (Les Chutes du Carbet), Saut de la Lezarde, Saut de Bras de Fort, Chute du Galion, Cascade aux Ecrevisses.
Restaurants in Basse-Terre Island
1. La Cascade Paradis
2. Carbet Falls (Les Chutes du Carbet)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 971 reviews
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.
Reviewed By thomasbY399FC
We parked the car at the end of the Carbet road where the trail to the third fall starts. Trekking with a 9yr and a 4yr-old kid took about an hour, but could have been done in say half an hour if we'd been adults alone. The trek through the tropical forest was very nice. Forget the slippers and opt for good walking shoes. The third fall is the lowest, but is well worth the visit, as the flow is substantial and falls straight down in the pool which gives free water massage for those who are courageous enough to cross the pond and get hundreds of liters of water poured down per second on top of you. I continued the trek with my 9yr-old for the second fall but turned around appx half-way since my kid was tired (and he wanted to go back to the inn where a well-chrorinated pool was waiting... Kids...) All in all, it's a great way to spend half a day, and don't forget your picnic.
3. Saut de la Lezarde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By 942viktoriab
We had read a lot about the trail down to this splendid waterfall and were prepared for it to be a bit tricky to find our way. There are several small tracks, not all of them leading to the waterfall. Once we ended up on a dead end. However, despite slippery track after about 30 min walk we heard the sound of water and we headed towards it. When reaching the water we followed down streem for another 20 min until we reached the goal. Really a wonderful sight! I highly recommend the trail for anyone wanting to have a rather rough but gorgeous hike. You need to be prepared for dirt and mud and possibly tripping from time to time. Though, it is perfectly fine to have a swim when reaching the waterfall pool to wash the dirt off. You find the start of the trail by an abandoned building. Look for the sign. Have fun!
4. Saut de Bras de Fort
5. Chute du Galion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By skyisblu - Montreal, Canada
An off-shoot of the main trail up to La Soufriere volcano, the Chute du Galion trail is not an easy one. First, it slowly winds it way along the side of the gorge, descending into the valley of the Galion waterfall, the majority being more rock scramble than hike. The trails are slippery with mud, partly from rain, mountain run-off, and the ever-present fog that lingers around the top of the volcano. It catches us off-guard more than once, puddles of mud with indistinguishable depth, and rocks that are slick and covered with moss. All around, the rain forest soars upwards - giant trees are covered in moss, covered in vines, covered in air plants. Each one is its own ecosystem. Birds swoop a little too close, and the chirping of frogs makes for an amazing soundtrack to the hike, otherwise quiet from lack of travelers other than ourselves. Once at the falls, there is a rope to help in the scramble up to the viewpoint, and plenty of large boulders below on which to perch, rest, or snack. At this point, the Galion trail ends, so either turn around and head back, or continue along the next trail up to La Citerne, a dormant crater lake next to a weather station. Note that the trail elevation for the portion leading up to the crater mouth climbs almost 400 m over a distance of 1000 m. Ask anyone who climbs mountains - that is steep. We didn't realize how much until we are presented with ladder-like root structures to scramble up, or muddy canyons that run vertical rather than horizontal. Even better - we realize that we are ascending through the bed of one of the run-off streams, so every step, every footfall is in water. The overhead branches seems to fall, drooping closer and closer, the walls of the canyon squeezing in tighter and tighter, with just enough room to pass, but sideways. Suddenly, the plant life drops away, the trail opens up, and the trail emerges into a fog that covers the top of the Citerne crater. Success! From here, the trail is mostly a slow downhill along the service road leading from the weather station - make sure to wave hello to the fellows working inside, if you see them. Don't forget to take a long soak in the Bains Jaunes, the sulfurous hot springs next the parking lot - you earned it! There is nowhere to change, just do it in your car like everyone else does - no one cares up here. And DO NOT dunk your head under the water - there are dangerous parasites in the water that will get into you nose or ears and can do things to your brain...Just don't do it.
6. Cascade aux Ecrevisses
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,763 reviews
Scenic waterfall in the middle of a tropical rainforest.
Reviewed By JamesFRICS - London, United Kingdom
It really is worth making the effort to see this cascade it is absolutely beautiful, do make sure that you walk down with your swimmers on and some flip-flops it only takes five minutes from the car park; it’s essential to go for a swim in the pool
