|Mangroves in Guadeloupe: 8 good reasons to discover them

mangrove guadeloupe plage du souffleur

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I live in Guadeloupe, and my family and I have taken several walks and excursions in our mangroves in Guadeloupe.

This is how I came to better understand the key roles played by this immense biodiversity reserve in our tropical zones, both ecologically and economically.

Here are 8 good reasons to discover the mangroves of Guadeloupe. First, I'll explain the mangrove in a few words, then the categories, then 8 reasons to explore it.

mangrove kayak

Don't have time to read the whole article? I recommend this cruise to discover paradise islands and mangrove forests.

mangrove vieux-fort Marie-Galante
Louer une voiture en Guadeloupe meilleur prix Louer une voiture en Guadeloupe meilleur prix

En Guadeloupe, la voiture est indispensable pour explorer l'île comme il se doit. Rentiles regroupe les meilleurs loueurs locaux indépendants — des tarifs imbattables que vous ne trouverez pas ailleurs.

When walking along the coast of Guadeloupe, for example, at Port-LouisNear the "plage du souffleur", you'll come across this distinctive forest with its famous mangroves (black, white, red and grey) that live in salt water.

Mangroves in Guadeloupe stabilize and protect our coastlines. Surface estimates vary, but over 3000 ha is the number that comes up most often.

They play an important role in filtering and retaining pollutants in water (chemical, organic, etc.). So you see, mangroves maintain the quality of our marine waters.

Our mangroves are also nurseries for many animals.

Over 80 bird species come here to breed or to take a break during their migration. For example, the yellow warbler. You can observe them and have fun identifying them, which is not easy as many of them are well hidden ☺️.

Read more: to discover the mangroves of Guadeloupe with additional information.

The aquatic fauna of the mangrove is also very varied (juvenile fish, molluscs, crabs, etc.) with species that will enrich the sea and the reef, to optimize fishing under the best conditions.

A Marie-GalanteDuring a visit to the mangrove, our local guide had also explained to us that it acts as a "watering hole". swell shield by dramatically reducing the power of waves in the event of a tsunami or cyclone.

mangrove en Guadeloupe

In Guadeloupe, a distinction can be made between 3 types of mangroves :

seaside mangroves with constant salinity. It is dominated by the red mangrove, easily recognized by its stilted, aerial roots that grow downwards.
mangrove shrubs further back, on the land. It is dominated by the black mangrove.
the tallest mangrove farthest from salt water. It is dominated by white mangrove.

And now 8 good reasons to spend time in our mangroves in Guadeloupe.

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Did you know? The mangrove, the seagrass and the reef are 3 complementary and intimately linked ecosystems. The mangrove protects the coral reef from sediment coming in from land, and the reef protects the mangrove from sea swells. In the middle of all this is the seagrass bed, an expanse of flowering plants adapted to marine life.

Travellers, and even some locals, sometimes cross mangroves without understanding their importance. I was one of them. This paddle outing in Morne-à-l'Eau opened my eyes with the guide's interesting explanations.

Then.., I made another pedal-boat trip to Saint-Louis on the island of Marie-Galante with a great local guide who also gave us a lot of information.

Not all countries have mangroves. Guadeloupe offers a real opportunity to discover this ecosystem.

If you love nature, you'll learn a lot about our flora and fauna by visiting our mangroves.

As our team often reminds us, Guadeloupe isn't just about beaches and paradisiacal landscapes. It's so much more. ☺️

mangrove port-louis Guadeloupe

Many of the excursions I describe in the next section offer a combination of mangrove exploration and relaxation.

Learning about the role of mangroves is also a way of protecting the environment by raising awareness and then sharing knowledge with others to adopt good practices.

For me, responsible travel also means making time for activities that benefit the environment.

You won't be able to argue with me: it's often quiet in the mangroves, but a special kind of quiet that's highly enjoyable. I often feel like I'm being watched haha 😜 .

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If you visit our mangroves at the beginning and end of the day, you'll be lucky enough to bump into the locals on their weekly strolls.

There are several ways to visit the mangroves in Guadeloupe, including the excursions I'll talk about in the next section: on foot, by boat, paddle or kayak.

First, I'll tell you where my favorite mangroves are. Feel free to leave a comment with yours, and we'll see if you name any others 😉.

Around the Grand Cul-de-sac Marinthe best-known and largest of the Lesser Antilles
the southern part of the Grande-Terre coastline
at the mouth of the Vieux-Fort river in Marie-Galante

I strongly advise you to invest in an activity with an expert local guide to better understand the mangrove. It's the best way to discover its flora and fauna. I've tried out several experiences, so I know what a difference it makes.

Here are 2 online excursions that are well worth your while.

1. Discover the mangroves on a magical cruise including lunch

lagoon mangrove tour

⭐️ NOTE : 5 out of 5 stars over 400 reviews I ⌛️ DURATION : 8h

Why you should this small-group cruise with a passionate skipper ? Firstly, the price is really interesting for the duration and content of the service.

What's more, the boat trip combines several highlights, beyond snorkeling in the Grand Cul-de-Sac marin with its paradise islets and underwater paradise 🐠 😍. For example, you'll see part of the mangrove swamp. You also have the local meal included with various juices, planter.

This small-group cruising with a passionate skipper includes :

Round trip by boat from Baie-Mahault
Waterfront aperitif and barbecue lunch on the boat
Equipment loan for this snorkeling trip in Guadeloupe
Refreshment with still or sparkling water
Discover the must-see places in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin (La Biche islet, the mangrove swamp, etc.).

"A magical day. Simon gave us an unforgettable experience, which was a hit with adults and children alike. The stop in the mangrove was top-notch. Afterwards, we were able to swim in a spot where there were starfish. Swimming over a shipwreck was equally impressive, with fish of all kinds and colors. All in all, a great day out." .

- Isabelle (See over 400 reviews)

2. Paddleboarding in a mangrove swamp

mangrove Guadeloupe

⭐️ NOTE : 4.9 out of 5 stars over 28 reviews I ⌛️ DURATION : 2,5h

Why choose a paddle to discover the mangroves from Morne-à-l'Eau ? I did it, and really enjoyed it. The guide, who is well versed in the subject of mangroves, is also very fussy about the quality of his equipment. He's patient with paddle novices like me. The paddle tour is rewarding, with the discovery of the flora and fauna.

You'll love...

Note: I don't swim well at all, so a lifejacket was at my disposal to make sure I had a successful time like any other.

This paddl outinge includes :

Paddle equipment: paddle board, paddle and optional lifejacket
Refresh with lemonade

" Très a great activity! Our guide knew a lot about mangroves and Guadeloupe! Very interesting! "

- Traveller from Switzerland (See more reviews)

See you soon

xx Viviane

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Mon guide pour explorer la Guadeloupe autrement

J'ai créé ce guide après avoir exploré chaque recoin de l'archipel où je vis. Mes meilleures adresses confidentielles locales, les spots authentiques loin des sentiers battus, et tout ce que les guides classiques ne disent pas.

🎁 Offerts : accès à vie au club membre, Bingo Cards et livret d'adresses confidentielles. Disponible en français — mis à jour régulièrement.

Find out more/order
Green walks Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Unusual in Guadeloupe, Le Moule, Marie-Galante, Morne-à-l'eau, North Grande-Terre, Petit-Canal, Port-Louis, What to do in Guadeloupe, Sainte-Rose

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