Visiting Ilet du Gosier with Kids: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a road trip to Guadeloupe with kids, there’s a tiny, wild island sitting right across from Le Gosier beach that you absolutely cannot miss:Ilet du Gosier. This island was easily one of the highlights of ourDIY road trip itinerary in Guadeloupe with kids. Our girls, Bebe and Ginni, fell head over heels in love with it (to the point of renaming it our private island!).
In this practical guide, we’ll break down how to get there, how much it costs, how to get around, and how to avoid the only real logistical mistake we made (spoiler: it involves lunch!).
How to Get to Ilet du Gosier: Ferry and Prices
The islet is located just a few hundred yards from the mainland. Some people actually swim or kayak across, but if you’re traveling with young kids, the best solution is the super convenient local ferry service that departs from theAnse Tabarindock, right behind Parc du Calvaire.
The boat shuttles back and forth continuously between the mainland and the island, so you’ll rarely have to wait: it runs roughlyevery 20 minutes.
Here are the round-trip ticket costs:
- Adults:6€
- Kids (3-11 years old):5€
- Under 3:Free! (Ginni made the cut for free)
Things to Do on Ilet du Gosier with the Girls
The island is tiny, lush, and surrounded by calm, crystal-clear water. Right where you disembark, you’ll find the main beach, but our advice is to walk around and explore a little. We found a tinyhidden beach nestled among the mangroveswhere we were completely on our own. Because of this, Ilet du Gosier easily ranks high in ourselection of our favorite beaches in Guadeloupe.
The water in this little cove is incredibly calm, warm, and flat—absolutely perfect for little ones to splash around safely while you enjoy the natural shade of the trees.
Quokka Tip: The Lunch Trap (Avoid it!)
Don’t make our mistake:There is only one bar/restaurant on the islet. If you don’t plan ahead with a packed lunch, you’re stuck eating there. The catch? You absolutely must book a table over the phone or the exact moment you step foot on the island early in the morning. Spots fill up instantly, and they won’t serve walk-ins looking for a last-minute table. Unaware of this, we were left empty-handed and had to head back to Le Gosier just to eat lunch!
If you’re heading to Ilet du Gosier for a beach day, always pack plenty of water, fresh fruit, and—if you want total freedom over your schedule—a nice packed lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ilet du Gosier
A round-trip ticket costs €6 for adults and €5 for kids aged 3 to 11, while children under 3 travel for free.
The boat shuttles continuously from Anse Tabarin roughly every 20 minutes, so there’s no need to book a departure time.
Yes, but it’s the only one on the islet: to guarantee a table, book by phone or reserve the moment you arrive in the morning, otherwise bring a packed lunch.
Yes: the water in the hidden cove among the mangroves is calm, warm and shallow, perfect for kids to play safely.
BONUS!
If you take this day trip on aSaturday, right above the Anse Tabarin dock upon your return, a local Creole band gathers to play. You absolutely cannot miss this incredible experience! Dozens of people gather at sunset and start playing drums, tambourines, coconuts as maracas, and conch shells as trumpets—it’s truly magical!
Have you already visited this little Caribbean gem, or are you planning your very first trip? Let us know in the comments below!
