The Best Beaches in Guadeloupe for Kids: The Quokka Rankings
When traveling with young kids, not every dream Caribbean beach turns out to be a good fit. Massive waves, hidden currents, or a total lack of shade can ruin a beach day in five minutes. During our trip to Guadeloupe, which you can read about in ourcomplete 8-day itinerary, we tested a ton of coastlines to find the ones that are absolutely perfect for active families.
Here is our selection of the most kid-friendly beaches, where the water is calm, the sand is soft, and there’s always a tree ready to shelter you from the hot Caribbean sun.
1. Plage de Bois Jolan: Our Absolute Favorite Paradise
If anyone asked us to pick the absolute perfect beach for families in Guadeloupe, we would answer without a single hesitation:Plage de Bois Jolan. It’s a very long beach, but it doesn’t look like a massive, flat expanse of sand. Instead, it’s made up of an endless series of little coves separated by trees and palm trees that stretch all the way down to touch the shoreline.
Why it’s perfect for kids:The water is warm, incredibly calm, and so shallow that the girls could walk and play yards away from the shore without any danger whatsoever. Plus, there is plenty of space in the shade to lay down your towels and enjoy a cool, relaxing day.
2. Plage de La Caravelle (The Very Beginning)
Famous for hosting the renowned Club Med, this beach is a classic postcard-perfect dream in Guadeloupe: blindingly white sand, palm trees bending over the water, and unbelievable shades of turquoise. It’s usually packed, but we managed to find a little trick.
Why it’s perfect for kids:Stop at the very beginning of the beach, well away from the resort and the main crowds. You’ll find a much more peaceful setting, a gently sloping seabed perfect for swimming, and, if you’re as lucky as we were, you can say hello up close to giant iguanas strolling lazily along the sand.
3. Plage du Souffleur: Relaxation and Great Food Trucks
Heading north on Grande-Terre,Plage du Souffleuris absolutely worth a visit. It’s a classic Caribbean beach—very spacious, lively, and vibrant.
Why it’s perfect for kids:Right behind the sand sits a thick pine grove that offers exceptional shade during the hottest hours of the day. On top of that, the presence of numerous food trucks makes it incredibly easy to grab a quick lunch break featuring ahandmade Bokit (discover what’s inside here!)or some fresh fruit without having to pack the kids into the car to hunt down a restaurant.
What if the Sea Gets Rough? Keeping an Eye on Basse-Terre
During our road trip, we noticed that the beaches on Basse-Terre can be much more prone to strong waves. For instance, atPlage de la Perle, the sea was definitely too rough and dangerous for Bebe and Ginni to go swimming. In that case, we simply moved over to the nearbyPlage de la Grande Anse de Deshaies, which was significantly more sheltered and peaceful.
What is your go-to beach when traveling with family? Do you prefer wide golden sands or the wild nature of hidden coves? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions About Guadeloupe’s Beaches
Plage de Bois Jolan is our absolute favorite: shallow, calm, warm water for yards, with plenty of shaded coves under the trees.
Beaches on the Basse-Terre side, like Plage de la Perle, can have strong waves: it’s better to move to nearby Plage de la Grande Anse de Deshaies, which is more sheltered.
At Plage du Souffleur there are several food trucks where you can try Bokit, the local fried sandwich, without having to drive off for lunch.
Yes, especially at the very beginning of Plage de La Caravelle, away from the Club Med resort, where iguanas stroll peacefully along the sand.
