Grande-Terre enjoys a tropical climate slightly drier and windier than Basse-Terre, thanks to the absence of volcanic relief that holds back clouds. It's one of the sunniest zones in the archipelago.
The dry season (carême, December to April) is the perfect period: temperatures of 24-30 °C, sea at 26-27 °C, maximum sunshine, Caribbean trade winds cooling especially the east coast (Saint-François, Pointe des Châteaux). It's the peak tourist season — book flights and hotels 4 to 6 months ahead for Christmas and February. Emblematic beaches (Caravelle, Pointe des Châteaux) are very busy mid-day and weekends, but retain their magic in early morning.
May and June make an excellent shoulder season: weather remains very favourable, crowds have left the archipelago, beaches are nearly deserted on weekdays, prices drop noticeably. It's also the time of the Terre de Blues Festival in Marie-Galante (May-June), an unmissable excursion.
The wet season (hivernage, July to November) brings more frequent tropical showers, warm sea at 28 °C and lowest prices in September-October. Watch out for sargassum (brown algae) which can affect some east coast beaches (Le Moule, Anse-Bertrand) in wet season — Sainte-Anne and Saint-François are generally spared. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October — stay attentive to Météo-France Antilles bulletins.
Read also
- Pointe-à-Pitre, economic capital — Saint-Antoine market, ACTe Memorial and Guadeloupe's urban soul.
- Sainte-Anne, Caravelle Beach — The family seaside heart: Club Med, village market and golden beaches.
- Saint-François and Pointe des Châteaux — Marina, golf, wild cliffs and turquoise lagoons of the east coast.
- Guadeloupe — Complete archipelago guide: entry rules, budget, when to visit.