"Janvier à Deshaies : conditions parfaites pour Grande Anse et le Jardin Botanique. Coucher de soleil emblématique sur la baie. Réservez tôt — la côte Caraïbe se remplit vite."
Expert on Deshaies · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Deshaies is December to May. The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr
Saison sèche — la meilleure période
- ✅Conditions optimales : mer calme à 26-27 °C, ciel dégagé, plages de Grande Anse et de la Perle au mieux
- ✅Jardin Botanique de Deshaies en pleine floraison, oiseaux exotiques très visibles
- ✅Coucher de soleil emblématique sur Grande Anse (face à l'ouest)
- ❌Haute saison : Grande Anse très fréquentée entre 11h et 16h en haute saison
- ❌Hôtels et gîtes à réserver 4-6 mois à l'avance pour Noël et février
- ❌Restaurants du port saturés au déjeuner, réservation conseillée
Mai, Juin
Mai-juin — intersaison idéale
- ✅Météo encore très favorable, jardin botanique éclatant après les premières pluies
- ✅Tarifs hôtels en baisse de 30-40 %, restaurants accessibles sans réservation
- ✅Plages quasi désertes en semaine, ambiance village authentique
- ❌Premières averses tropicales en fin de mois
- ❌Quelques randonnées en forêt (Saut d'Acomat) plus glissantes
Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct, Nov
Hivernage — saison humide, jungle au maximum
- ✅Jardin Botanique luxuriant après les pluies tropicales, floraisons exceptionnelles
- ✅Mer à 28 °C, baignade délicieuse à Grande Anse et Plage de la Perle
- ✅Tarifs au plus bas hors juillet-août, gîtes créoles en promotion
- ❌Risque cyclonique d'août à octobre, suivi nécessaire de Météo-France Antilles
- ❌Pluies intenses en septembre-octobre, parfois plusieurs jours d'affilée
- ❌Sentiers de randonnée parfois fermés en saison cyclonique
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Deshaies across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 23° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° |
| Max | 29° | 29° | 29° | 30° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 29° |
| Mer | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° |
| Pluie | 38mm | 51mm | 41mm | 55mm | 39mm | 54mm | 68mm | 95mm | 164mm | 153mm | 89mm | 42mm |
| Soleil/j | 10.7h | 10.8h | 11.4h | 11.6h | 11.5h | 11.4h | 11.2h | 11.2h | 10.9h | 10.3h | 10.3h | 10.5h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
85
Fév
90
Mar
80
Avr
70
Mai
55
Jui
50
Jui
65
Aoû
70
Sep
35
Oct
40
Nov
55
Déc
80
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Deshaies by month.
Jan
$972
Fév
$1,026
Mar
$918
Avr
$810
Mai
$670
Jui
$626
Jui
$810
Aoû
$918
Sep
$540
Oct
$594
Nov
$702
Déc
$1,188
Frequently asked questions
How to visit the Deshaies Botanical Garden?+
The Deshaies Botanical Garden is 1 km north of the village, on the heights (D6). Free on-site parking. Entry: €16 adult, €8 child (4-12), free under 4. Open every day from 9 am to 4:30 pm (last entry). Free marked trail over 7 hectares (1h30-2h minimum visit). Don't miss: the parrot aviary, the Koi carp pool, the pink flamingos, the orchid greenhouse, the viewpoint with panoramic view of Deshaies bay. On-site restaurant with panoramic terrace. Gift shop and garden products. Former private estate of Coluche bought in 1979, laid out and opened to the public in 2001 by his family after his death in 1986. One of the most beautiful tropical gardens in the Antilles.
How to access Grande Anse beach?+
Grande Anse Beach is 3 km north of the Deshaies village, accessible by car via the D6 (10 min). Several free car parks along the road, saturated between 11 am and 4 pm in high season — arrive early (before 10 am) to guarantee a spot. Free access to the beach, 800 m long. Golden sand, crystalline turquoise water, coconut palms at the edge offering natural shade. No on-beach providers — bring umbrella, cooler, towels. Some popular lolos for lunch (grilled fish, accras, ti-punch). Swimming safety: no official surveillance, but generally calm sea. Iconic sunset around 5:45-6:15 pm depending on season — one of the most beautiful in Guadeloupe.
Where to find the 'Death in Paradise' settings in Deshaies?+
The BBC series 'Death in Paradise' (since 2011) is entirely filmed in Deshaies under the fictional name 'Honoré, Saint-Marie island'. Several iconic settings can be visited on foot in the village: the commissioner's house (on the village beach to the west — easily recognisable with its green tin roof and pontoon), Catherine's bar (actually 'Coco's Bar Restaurant' on the port, open to the public), the Saint-Pierre church and the village market square (often filmed). The tourist office offers a free settings map of the series. Allow 1h-1h30 for the complete walking tour in the village. For fans, some guesthouses offer 'Death in Paradise immersion' stays.
Where to stay in Deshaies?+
Three distinct zones. Village and port: Creole village atmosphere, walkable restaurants, accessible village beach (not very interesting for swimming) — family Creole guesthouses (€70-110/night for 2). Heights toward the Botanical Garden (D6): panoramic sea view, quieter, easy access to beaches — pool residences (€100-180/night). Grande Anse (3 km north): direct beach access, beachfront hotels and guesthouses — best compromise for beach lovers (guesthouses €90-150/night, Le Rayon Vert hotel €150-250). High-end: Le Tainos (boutique hotel, €200-350/night), private villas with pool (€250-500/night). Book 4-6 months ahead for Christmas and February — Deshaies fills up fast.
What excursions from Deshaies?+
Deshaies is an ideal base for exploring north-west Basse-Terre. 30 min by car south: Bouillante and the Cousteau Reserve (snorkelling and diving among the finest in the Antilles, try-dive €60-80). 45 min: Sainte-Rose (Reimonenq distillery and its rum museum, catamaran trip to the islets of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin mangrove €90-110). 1h-1h15: Saint-Claude and La Soufrière (volcano hike 3h round-trip, warning: leave Deshaies EARLY, 5-6 am departure to reach the summit at 8-9 am clear). 1h: Pointe-à-Pitre (Saint-Antoine market, ACTe Memorial). For local hiking: Saut d'Acomat (waterfall in tropical forest, 30 min round-trip path access from the D23/D6 bridge), Pointe Allègre (north-west tip of Basse-Terre, views of Montserrat).
Our verdict
Deshaies is one of the most beautiful fishing villages in the French Antilles — the ideal base for discovering Basse-Terre's Caribbean coast in its authentic charm. Coluche's Botanical Garden, the iconic Grande Anse beach, the world-famous BBC 'Death in Paradise' settings and the traditional port compose a Caribbean experience of rare richness. Devote minimum 3-4 days to fully enjoy: Botanical Garden, Grande Anse and La Perle beaches, excursion to the Cousteau Reserve, dinner on the port. Prefer family Creole guesthouses (€70-120/night) or an eco-lodge with sea view. Combine with a Soufrière hike (1h15 drive) and a day in Pointe-à-Pitre (1h drive) for a complete stay.
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