BUGGYPetite-Terre, seen from La Désirade
A neighbouring natural gem, visible from several of the island's viewpoints.
The Petite-Terre national nature reserve, made up of two islets (Terre de Haut and Terre de Bas), lies not far from La Désirade — and can be spotted from several points on the island.
What is Petite-Terre?
It's a protected nature reserve, known for its turquoise lagoon, sea turtles, and numerous iguanas. Access is tightly regulated: you can only visit as part of guided excursions, usually departing from Saint-François.
Seeing it from La Désirade
From certain elevated viewpoints on La Désirade, particularly around the plateau or the Pointe Doublé lighthouse area, you can spot the Petite-Terre islets in the distance on a clear day — a lovely perspective on this cluster of islands that make up part of the Guadeloupe archipelago.
Should you combine both visits?
If your trip allows it, combining a day in La Désirade by buggy with a Petite-Terre excursion offers a fuller picture of this lesser-known part of Guadeloupe — two very different but complementary atmospheres, between the lived-in authenticity of La Désirade and the preserved wilderness of Petite-Terre.
