Port information & tips for Ile Royale (Devil's Islands)
Île Royale is part of the historic Îles du Salut archipelago off the coast of French Guiana, enchanting visitors with a fascinating blend of untouched nature and colonial heritage. The island captivates with its lush tropical vegetation, which today picturesquely surrounds the ruins of the former penal colony, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Among the most significant sights are the historic chapel, the former house of the prison director, and the lighthouse, visible from afar. Since cruise ships usually anchor offshore, passengers reach the central pier (Débarcadère) comfortably by tender boat and, thanks to the short distances, find themselves immediately in the midst of the historic complex, which is also perfectly accessible through picturesque circular walking trails.
The Îles du Salut, with the main island of Île Royale, are a unique cruise destination off the coast of French Guiana and are typically visited as a tender port by cruise ships. For guests from the DACH region, the journey first leads to French Guiana, from where the islands can be reached by catamaran or ferry.
Airplane
Travel for cruise guests from the DACH region is primarily by plane via Cayenne - Félix Eboué International Airport (CAY) in Matoury, near the capital city of Cayenne. Although there are no direct flights from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, the airport is an easily accessible hub thanks to regular connections with Paris. Due to the long flight time, plan to arrive at least one day before your scheduled ferry crossing to Île Royale.
Transfer & Ferry
From Cayenne Airport (CAY), you can easily reach Kourou, the main departure point for ferries to the Îles du Salut, by shuttle, taxi, or rental car. The drive to Kourou takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, with shuttles being the most affordable option (approx. 1 hour travel time). In Kourou, several local providers such as Promaritime Guyane and Tropic Alizés offer daily catamaran or ferry connections to the islands, which take about one hour. Free parking is available directly at the Port de Plaisance in Kourou, near the Hôtel des Roches.
Pre-Cruise Hotel & Planning
For a relaxed start to your trip, we recommend staying overnight in Kourou or Cayenne. This allows you to acclimatize to the tropical climate and reach the ferry connection to the Îles du Salut without stress. In Kourou, you will find various hotels such as the Hôtel des Roches or the Mercure Kourou Ariatel, which provide a good base for your excursion. Please note that Île Royale itself does not have traditional terminals, as cruise ships anchor off the coast and bring passengers ashore via tender boats.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
The Îles du Salut, with the main island of Île Royale, are a unique cruise destination off the coast of French Guiana and are typically visited as a tender port by cruise ships. For guests from the DACH region, the journey first leads to French Guiana, from where the islands can be reached by catamaran or ferry.
Airplane
Travel for cruise guests from the DACH region is primarily by plane via Cayenne - Félix Eboué International Airport (CAY) in Matoury, near the capital city of Cayenne. Although there are no direct flights from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, the airport is an easily accessible hub thanks to regular connections with Paris. Due to the long flight time, plan to arrive at least one day before your scheduled ferry crossing to Île Royale.
Transfer & Ferry
From Cayenne Airport (CAY), you can easily reach Kourou, the main departure point for ferries to the Îles du Salut, by shuttle, taxi, or rental car. The drive to Kourou takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, with shuttles being the most affordable option (approx. 1 hour travel time). In Kourou, several local providers such as Promaritime Guyane and Tropic Alizés offer daily catamaran or ferry connections to the islands, which take about one hour. Free parking is available directly at the Port de Plaisance in Kourou, near the Hôtel des Roches.
Pre-Cruise Hotel & Planning
For a relaxed start to your trip, we recommend staying overnight in Kourou or Cayenne. This allows you to acclimatize to the tropical climate and reach the ferry connection to the Îles du Salut without stress. In Kourou, you will find various hotels such as the Hôtel des Roches or the Mercure Kourou Ariatel, which provide a good base for your excursion. Please note that Île Royale itself does not have traditional terminals, as cruise ships anchor off the coast and bring passengers ashore via tender boats.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
Arrival on Ile Royale takes place directly at the small pier thanks to the ship's own tender service, allowing for a comfortable start to your shore excursion. From here, the historic island can be explored flexibly and independently.
Tender Boats
Since the ships lie at anchor off the island, the tender boats will bring you directly to the pier in just a few minutes. This central starting point is located in the immediate vicinity of the historic buildings as well as the island's walking trails, offering a direct connection to all sights.
On Foot
The entire island can be easily explored on foot, and a paved circular path leads completely around the island in about one hour. This way of getting around is ideal for discovering the flora, fauna, and ruins of the former penal colony at your own pace while enjoying the views of the sea.
Regional Boat Transfers
For onward travel to the neighboring Ile Saint-Joseph, local boats are occasionally available to supplement the services on site. These short trips provide a convenient connection between the islands of the Îles du Salut and also offer a wonderful perspective of the entire coastline from the water.
To make the most of your stay on the history-steeped Île Royale, we recommend exploring the historic architecture directly at the harbor as well as a hike through the island's exotic flora.
Historic Quarter of Île Royale
Well-preserved buildings such as the chapel and the former hospital convey a unique atmosphere, and the informative museum brings the island's maritime past to life through vivid exhibits.
Île Saint-Joseph
Accessible via a short boat transfer, this neighboring island fascinates with the mystical ruins of solitary confinement cells and, thanks to its lush vegetation and an idyllic swimming bay, offers the perfect place for peace and relaxation.
Coastal Loop Trail
The shaded path around Île Royale allows for close encounters with macaws and capuchin monkeys, while simultaneously offering spectacular views of the surf and the mysterious, inaccessible Île du Diable.
Circular Route of Île Royale
The historic circular route on Île Royale begins directly at the tender pier and leads you to the impressive remains of the former penal colony, as well as the picturesque chapel and the lighthouse. This walk is perfect for a cultural discovery tour under palm trees and also offers spectacular views of the infamous, inaccessible Devil's Island directly opposite. Thanks to the well-preserved ruins and the centrally located "Auberge des Îles", which serves refreshments in a historic ambience, you will enjoy a fascinating combination of contemporary history and tropical nature here. Ideally, start your tour directly in the morning to experience the lush flora and fauna in pleasant temperatures, and return to the port relaxed about sixty minutes before the last tender ride.
Returning to the pier on Ile Royale is extremely relaxed and safe thanks to the island's manageable size. You can easily reach your tender boat via the well-maintained paths while always enjoying a direct view of the shimmering blue sea.
Tender Boats at the Pier
The return journey to the ship is made exclusively by tender boats, which dock at the stone quay in the south of the island. This area is the central hub for all guests and, thanks to the constant boat movements, is easily recognizable even from the island's high ground.
On Foot on the Circular Trails
The entire island can be easily explored on foot, leading you along shaded paths directly back to the harbor basin. From the historic ruins or the plateau of the Auberge des Îles, simply walk downhill and reach the quay in a few minutes, with the sea breeze always showing you the way.
Landmarks and Time Management
The Auberge building serves as a prominent landmark, from which all paved paths radiate out towards the water. Plan a small buffer for the last section of the return journey to enjoy the view of the ship once more in peace and to be at the quay in time for the last tender ride.
