Cruise port Iles des Saintes
Info for port Iles des Saintes on 13 Mar 2028
Port information & tips for Iles des Saintes
The Îles des Saintes are among the most charming archipelagos in the Caribbean and welcome visitors with the flair of a picturesque fishing village in the bay of Guadeloupe. The destination impresses with its relaxed atmosphere and the colorful houses of Le Bourg, while offering heavenly views of the turquoise sea. Cultural and scenic highlights include the historic Fort Napoléon with its botanical garden, as well as the dreamy Plage de Pompierre beach and the striking Pain de Sucre rocky hill. Cruise ships usually anchor in the bay, so guests arrive comfortably by tender boats directly at the Débarcadère de Terre-de-Haut. This central landing point is located directly in the heart of the main town, making all sights, boutiques, and cafés easily accessible on foot.
The Iles des Saintes are a picturesque archipelago in Guadeloupe, which are typically visited by cruise ships via tender boat. The cruise experience therefore does not begin in a large terminal, but directly in the charming main town of Bourg des Saintes on Terre-de-Haut. For guests from the DACH region, travel is primarily organized as a fly & ferry combination via the main island of Guadeloupe.
Airplane
Your journey to the Iles des Saintes first takes you to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) on the main island of Guadeloupe. This airport is the central hub of the French Antilles and is served by direct flights from major European airports, particularly from France. From PTP airport, the ferry port of Trois-Rivières, which offers the fastest connection to the Saintes, is approximately 47 to 50 kilometers away, representing a travel time of 35 to 48 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach the ferry port in Pointe-à-Pitre from the airport in just a few minutes. Taxis are available at the airport 24/7, and public buses also connect the airport with Pointe-à-Pitre.
Ferry
The ferry is the only practical connection to the Iles des Saintes from Guadeloupe. The fastest crossing, ideal for a day trip or onward travel for embarkation, starts from the port of Trois-Rivières on Basse-Terre and takes you to Terre-de-Haut in the Saintes in about 20 to 30 minutes. Additionally, there are ferry connections from Pointe-à-Pitre with a crossing time of approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Shipping companies such as CTM Deher, FRS Express des îles, and Karu'Ferry offer regular connections. Booking ferry tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the high season.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long journey from the DACH region via long-haul flight to Guadeloupe, an overnight stay on the main island is recommended before traveling on to the Iles des Saintes. This allows for a relaxed start to your vacation and smooth coordination with ferry times. Numerous hotels are available near Pointe-à-Pitre airport, in Pointe-à-Pitre itself, or in southern Basse-Terre near Trois-Rivières to easily reach the short ferry connection the next day.
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 the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
The Iles des Saintes are a picturesque archipelago in Guadeloupe, which are typically visited by cruise ships via tender boat. The cruise experience therefore does not begin in a large terminal, but directly in the charming main town of Bourg des Saintes on Terre-de-Haut. For guests from the DACH region, travel is primarily organized as a fly & ferry combination via the main island of Guadeloupe.
Airplane
Your journey to the Iles des Saintes first takes you to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) on the main island of Guadeloupe. This airport is the central hub of the French Antilles and is served by direct flights from major European airports, particularly from France. From PTP airport, the ferry port of Trois-Rivières, which offers the fastest connection to the Saintes, is approximately 47 to 50 kilometers away, representing a travel time of 35 to 48 minutes. Alternatively, you can reach the ferry port in Pointe-à-Pitre from the airport in just a few minutes. Taxis are available at the airport 24/7, and public buses also connect the airport with Pointe-à-Pitre.
Ferry
The ferry is the only practical connection to the Iles des Saintes from Guadeloupe. The fastest crossing, ideal for a day trip or onward travel for embarkation, starts from the port of Trois-Rivières on Basse-Terre and takes you to Terre-de-Haut in the Saintes in about 20 to 30 minutes. Additionally, there are ferry connections from Pointe-à-Pitre with a crossing time of approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Shipping companies such as CTM Deher, FRS Express des îles, and Karu'Ferry offer regular connections. Booking ferry tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the high season.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long journey from the DACH region via long-haul flight to Guadeloupe, an overnight stay on the main island is recommended before traveling on to the Iles des Saintes. This allows for a relaxed start to your vacation and smooth coordination with ferry times. Numerous hotels are available near Pointe-à-Pitre airport, in Pointe-à-Pitre itself, or in southern Basse-Terre near Trois-Rivières to easily reach the short ferry connection the next day.
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 the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
Arrival usually takes place via tender boat directly in the picturesque main town of Bourg des Saintes, from where you can explore the island paradise directly thanks to its central location.
On Foot
The charming center of Terre-de-Haut is located right by the pier and can be wonderfully discovered during a relaxed stroll. Many beaches and sights such as Fort Napoléon are reachable via short paths and invite you to explore at your own pace.
Electric Golf Carts and Scooters
Right at the harbor, you will find numerous rental companies for environmentally friendly electric golf carts and motor scooters. These means of transport are very popular on the island and allow for a comfortable ride to the various viewpoints as well as the more remote bays of the island.
Water Taxis and Local Boats
Small water taxis are available at the pier and offer a fast connection to the surrounding beaches or the quieter neighboring island of Terre-de-Bas. In addition, regular ferry connections allow for easy travel within the archipelago and simultaneously offer a magnificent view of the bay.
To fully enjoy the paradise-like atmosphere of the Iles des Saintes, we recommend a relaxed tour through the picturesque main village combined with a visit to the historic fortress and a trip to one of the dreamlike palm beaches.
Le Bourg
The charming center of Terre-de-Haut impresses with its colorful houses and relaxed Caribbean way of life; in addition, the small boutiques and cozy cafes directly at the harbor invite you to stroll and linger.
Fort Napoléon
This impressive historic fortress complex perches high above the bay and offers, in addition to an exciting museum, a botanical garden with cacti as well as a spectacular panoramic view of the turquoise sea.
Plage de Pompierre
The protected sandy beach with its shade-providing coconut palms and calm, crystal-clear water is the ideal destination for a refreshing swim in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, thanks to the short distance to the harbor.
Plage de Pompierre
The paradisiacal bay Plage de Pompierre can be reached from the pier in Terre-de-Haut in about twenty minutes on foot or even faster with a rented electric cart and inspires with its crystal-clear, shallow water as well as picturesque palm groves. Thanks to the protected location and the practical picnic tables as well as small local food stations, this place is ideal for a relaxing beach day in Caribbean idyll. It is best to visit the beach directly in the morning to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before the warmer midday hours, and plan the way back to the ship about ninety minutes before departure.
Returning to the pier in Terre-de-Haut is relaxed and safe thanks to the island's manageable size. Simply allow a little time for the tender boat ride back to the ship.
Electric Vehicles and Island Taxis
Since electric carts are used almost exclusively on the island, simply return your rental vehicle to the stations directly at the port. Additionally, you will find small shared taxis at the central Place de la Mairie, which will conveniently transport you from more remote beaches like Plage de Pompierre to the pier.
On Foot
From Fort Napoléon or the village center of Le Bourg, you can walk directly to the port in a maximum of fifteen to twenty minutes. The way through the colorful streets is easy to find and, thanks to the hillside location, leads almost always downhill to the clearly visible pier by the water.
Tender Boats at the Main Pier
The way back to the cruise ship is via the central Débarcadère de Terre-de-Haut in the heart of the village. Pay attention to the posted departure times for the tender boats and use the waiting time in the cafés directly on the quay for a relaxed conclusion to your shore excursion.
In port on 13 Mar 2028
