Guadeloupe is a butterfly-shaped French overseas territory in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. With a mix of powerful Atlantic swells, tropical climate, and relatively uncrowded breaks, it offers a unique experience for both beginner and seasoned surfers and foilers looking for something off the beaten path.

Guadeloupe is a French overseas territory - meaning it is a part of France, but not located in Europe. This gem of the Atlantic is situated north of Dominica and south of Antigua and Barbuda. The archipelago of Guadeloupe consists of six islands, with Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre being the two main islands while other islands within the Guadeloupe archipelago include Marie-Galante, La Désirade,and Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas). 

Guadeloupe features a diverse mix of reef breaks, point breaks, and beach breaks. The reef setups offer long, hollow waves, while some of the beach breaks are better suited for beginners. The best season in this archipelago is considered to be November to May (the dry season) when consistent northeast swells roll in from the Atlantic, creating clean, powerful waves along the island's eastern and northern coasts.

Guadeloupe’s surf scene is laid-back and friendly. As a French territory, it blends European and Creole culture, which is reflected in its surfy lifestyle: think croissants meet tropical reggae.

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Guadeloupe has been on my bucket list for a very long time. I have only heard good things about this island. In Guadeloupe, the first three months of the year (January - March) are considered the best condition-wise and I couldn’t wait to get in the waves with my new wingfoil gear!

The Duotone team and I began the journey mid-February in Hamburg. The plan was to meet up with Finn and Jeffrey Spencer in Guadeloupe. The rest of us flew with Air France and traveled with eleven board bags! After enjoying some good pain au chocolat at the airport in Paris, you can take a direct flight to Guadeloupe at Pointe-á-Pitre.

We were picked up by the rest of the team, who were driving two vans for all that wingfoil gear. On the one hour drive to Saint Francois we had very favorable first impressions of the island. Roads surrounded by beautiful palm trees and majestic plants made it feel like we were driving through a wild forest. 

“For me, this place is already really similar to Maui in a lot of ways, but it definitely has its own Caribbean vibes,” said Jeffrey Spencer.

Guadeloupe (also known as Gwada by the locals), is located in the east

Caribbean and is shaped like a butterfly. The eastern wing is called Grande-Terre,and the western wing is named Basse-Terre. We were staying in Saint Francois which is a town on the eastern coastal side. 

Once we arrived at the house we received a very warm welcome from our host, Christiane. She is a local and offered us a traditional Ti Punch made with Guadeloupean rum. She told us all about the island and the upcoming carnivals in the beginning of March, which made us very curious.

The next morning we unpacked our wings, boards and foils. It was fun to see first hand the products and designs for the upcoming 2026 season. The plan for our first day was to go surf foiling. The first spot was at Anse Salabouelle, which is a bay hidden in a small valley, perfect for surfing and prone foiling.

The entrance at Anse Salabouelle is a bit rocky with some current, but once you paddle out there are two breaks. The one on the left was crowded with local surfers but another peak to the right was empty and closer to the headland. 

Finn decided to go prone foiling on the right hand break. The waves were breaking a bit further out and it looked deep enough for a foil. While watching Finn ripping on the new surf foil board, the locally (and globally!) renowned Thébault family showed up. We were very happy to finally meet Arthur, Eulalie, Mahé, Jerome and Sebastian in person. “From the beginning of our trip, the whole [Thébault] family was so kind and welcoming. It really made the whole trip possible and super fun,” recalls Finn).

As a local, Sebastien told us to meet him at Port Louis the next day for a sunset session as long as there was some swell. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip! Port Louis is to the north and has beautiful long, sandy beaches with clear, turquoise water. Beyond that, it’s ideal for all kinds of water sports. 

When we arrived at the port, we could see small but really clean right hand waves breaking outside of the reef. Finn and Arthur went surf foiling until sunset and we all caught the best vibe from the place. “Port Louis is one of the best spots for prone foilers and also beginner surfers I have ever been to,” remembers Finn.

When the water is calm, Port Louis is also perfect for some dock, pump and wing

foiling. Moreover, it’s a good place to learn to wingfoil. Eulalie, Finn and I had a chill freeride session on the new equipment. Flying over that beautiful turquoise water is one of the best sensations!

However, that spot can also be windy and the water gets rough. Mahé and Arthur scored a sick offshore wave session and showcased some excellent carving and jumps. Arthur said,“Port Louis is just perfect for trying big aerials with the wing.”

The next day, there was still swell in the water, so the plan was to go find waves for wingfoiling at the most well-known break in Guadeloupe called Le Moule.

Manon Dupé, a young local surfer/foiler and the entire Thébault family joined our session.

The waves at Le Moule break a bit further out from shore and a rider needs to get out through the channel between some reef plates. We were grateful to have Jerome and Sebastien supporting us so we could find our way. Jerome and I spent a lot of time on the boat and the jet ski at Le Moule. It was so cool and interesting to be among the waves and to watch all the action from up close.

Riding together with the kids was such a good time because they are all so knowledgeable about all the local spots and all facets of water sports. We learned a lot from them and - for me - it was special to share a wave session on the 2026 gear with wingfoil athletes like Manon and Eulalie.”Besides the beautiful colors, the new boards and wings are incredibly light and powerful”, recalls Quinn.

During the following days,  the Dupé family invited us to their vacation house in the lagoon of Saint-Francois. Because of their private access to the beach we were able to easily launch from there. The lagoon is an ideal spot for beginners as it has sideshore winds and calm water. For more advanced riders, there are waves for jumping and surfing just outside of the lagoon. At sunset, we foiled to the outside to score another freestyle session.

“My best memory was the freestyle session at sunset and being with everybody at the house afterwards,” fondly remembers Mahé.

In between our sessions we hung out in the garden at the house which offered a great opportunity to learn more about each other. One night we had a giant barbecue for the whole team. The local families were also very welcoming towards us, which made the entire trip feel really good and the atmosphere so special. We spent the evenings checking out the footage from the day, having gear chats and playing with the kids who were full of good energy.

“My favorite memory was the barbecue we had with everyone and playing football with Manon, Finn, Jakob and Maria,’’ says Eulalie.

After all that wingfoiling, it was time for some downwinding. Jeffrey and Finn started at the eastern-most peak of the island, Pointe des Chateaux. “To downwind at a new spot is always insane. It feels like you are heading into the unknown, exploring a new place which is pretty fun,’’ recalls Jeffrey.

Before launching the twins received a lot of local advice from Sebastien and Jerome. “My favorite moment was following Finn and Jeffrey on the boat for the downwinder with those beautiful water colors. I would immediately do it again!’’ says Sebastien.

As it always happens on trips like these, the best comes last! On the last day we went out to dinner together. I could not imagine a better atmosphere. It was even more fun when we checked out the carnivals in Sainte Francois. I had never been to a carnival before so it was great to experience the culture and to see how alive and colorful this little island in the Caribbean can be.

All these impressions we received from Guadeloupe wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Thébault and Dupé families. We are very thankful to have received such a warm welcome. It felt like home!

After two weeks there, I can finally tick off another dream destination from my bucket list and say that Guadeloupe does not disappoint! The diversity of this place is insane. I came focused on the conditions and new gear, but left with a heart full of new friends and great memories. 

Popular Wave Spots include: 

Le Moule (Grande-Terre):
The most consistent and popular wave on the island. A fast, hollow right-hander over reef, ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Anse Salabouelle (Basse-Terre):
A scenic left-hand point break with a more mellow ride, perfect for relaxed carving.

Port-Louis (Grande-Terre):
Offers both lefts and rights with playful waves and a more forgiving reef—great for intermediate surfers.

Petit-Havre (Grande-Terre):
A small, sheltered beach break that’s beginner-friendly and ideal for longboarding.

Travel Tips

  • Boards: Bring your own if you’re particular, but rentals and surf schools are available, especially around Le Moule.

  • Getting Around: A rental car is essential to reach many surf spots and explore the island’s lush interior.

  • Other Activities: When not surfing, you can hike the Soufrière volcano, snorkel coral reefs, or explore waterfalls in the rainforest.

In conclusion, Guadeloupe offers a unique blend of quality waves, natural beauty, and French-Caribbean culture. Whether you're chasing barrels or just learning to pop up, it’s a surf destination that combines adventure, tranquility, and authenticity—minus the crowds.