Fly to Guadeloupe main island, normally Pointe-a-Pitre airport (PTP), then travel by road to the Trois-Rivieres passenger-ferry terminal on southern Basse-Terre. From there FRS and CTM Deher publish services to Terre-de-Haut, Terre-de-Bas or both. FRS lists about 25 minutes afloat to Terre-de-Haut and 35 minutes of navigation to Terre-de-Bas, although its published via-Terre-de-Haut timetable can show about 45 minutes port to port. Check baggage rules, check-in and date-specific service. Basse-Terre in this description is the main-island transfer base, not part of the Les Saintes dive-region scope. An airfield exists on Terre-de-Haut, but an independently confirmed airline service for the chosen date was not established; do not assume flights replace the ferry. FRS schedules | .

Main commercial air gateway for an onward ground transfer to Trois-Rivieres and passenger ferry. The airport publishes airlines including Air Caraibes, Air France and American Airlines; routes change.

Existing small VFR airfield on Terre-de-Haut, confirmed by the French aeronautical information publication. Presence of an airfield does not verify a public scheduled flight for a particular date.

Terre-de-Haut village is walkable, while hills and heat make scooters, electric carts or electric bicycles useful for outer beaches. Verify rental availability and driving rules. Terre-de-Bas has different road and local-transfer logistics; do not assume a Terre-de-Haut rental can be carried over. FRS states its Trois-Rivieres passenger service carries no vehicles. Plan return ferry times before undertaking a long hike or off-island activity.

Les Saintes is in Guadeloupe, a French overseas region outside the Schengen Area. For non-EU travelers, entry depends on nationality and residence or visa status; a Schengen short-stay visa alone does not automatically authorize entry. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals have separate exemptions. Check the official France-Visas overseas rules for the individual traveler, and carry the identity documents needed for the actual international and domestic connections. No Les Saintes-only entry visa was identified.

The Terre-de-Haut scuba operator lists supplied tanks, buoyancy devices, wetsuits, fins, regulators, masks and safety gear, while dive computers are shown as a chargeable extra. It also advertises equipment storage between dives. Reconfirm what is available after the 2026 seasonal closure, including sizes and required documents. Freedivers should verify line, buoys, fins and safety support independently with the apnea provider. Ferry baggage allowances and any tank transport require carrier-specific clearance. Equipment.

Euro is legal tender in Guadeloupe. Most established hotels and restaurants take cards, but ferries, small businesses, snack stands and local artisans may need cash. Confirm if your provider accepts cards before arriving.

The tourism board says ATMs exist on the satellite islands, including Les Saintes, but can be limited. Withdraw a useful cash buffer on the Guadeloupe main island; do not count on a machine near every Terre-de-Bas stop.

Standard French-style supply. A plug adapter does not convert voltage. Verify chargers and any specialized camera or dive-battery equipment are rated for local power.

Communications

French is the reliable service language; local operators may respond by email or WhatsApp depending on the business. Mobile data depends on your carrier plan and the island signal. Guadeloupe uses local time UTC-4 throughout the year. Download ferry reservations, offline trail information and emergency numbers before crossing. Do not presume main-island mobile coverage extends to every offshore site. The operator publishes telephone and the freedive provider advertises WhatsApp contact.

Language

French is official. Guadeloupean Creole is part of local culture. Confirm English-speaking instruction directly for certification courses and safety briefings; multilingual tourist descriptions are not a promise of a particular instructor language.

Insurance

Confirm cover for Guadeloupe (French overseas territory), sea evacuation, emergency medical care and transport to a suitable hyperbaric unit. Recreational scuba, advanced/deep dives, AIDA freediving, guided night snorkeling and boat travel may have different policy conditions. Never assume a generic European policy covers every medical or diving activity. Carry your policy contact details and disclose relevant certification requirements.

Packing list

Pack sun hat, reef-conscious sun protection, water bottle, sturdy trail shoes, compact rain layer for wetter months, mosquito precautions, swimwear, rash guard and a secure dry bag for ferries. For diving, bring certifications, a dive log and medical documentation if required; verify rental sizes and computer availability. Wear enough thermal cover for prolonged water exposure despite regional temperatures around 26°C to 29°C. Leave wildlife and protected shore items untouched.

Les Saintes

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