Grande Anse Beach

Grande Anse runs for something over a kilometre north of Deshaies, a wide curve of golden sand backed by coconut palms and sea grape with a pond behind it, and it is generally the beach people mean when they talk about Guadeloupe. The sea can run heavy here and there is often a shore break, so it is better for walking and sitting than for easy swimming. Vendors sell food and drink at the southern end.

What you actually see

• The curve of sand - over a kilometre of golden beach backed by palms.
• The coconut grove - the palms and sea grape behind the sand.
• The pond - the freshwater body behind the beach with birds.
• The southern end - the developed corner with vendors and parking.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and calmest. Weekends and school holidays fill the parking. Winter swell brings a strong shore break.

Honest expectations

The shore break and undertow are stronger than the calm look suggests and there is no lifeguard along most of it. The car park fills early at weekends. Sandflies are a nuisance at dusk.

Nearby

Deshaies is south, and Plage de la Perle is beyond it.