Come Relax in Peaceful Marie-Galante

Looking for a break to recharge just a stone’s throw from Guadeloupe? Set your sights on Marie-Galante, whose legendary tranquility was immortalized in Laurent Voulzy’s famous song. This unique island, proud of its authenticity, is well worth the trip! Its double insularity has preserved its natural beauty and helped it retain its original charm: fine sandy beaches, lagoons fringed with coral reefs, breathtaking underwater landscapes… but it’s not just water-sport enthusiasts who will find joy here. You won’t be able to resist booking your ferry tickets to Marie-Galante!

How to get to Marie-Galante

To reach the “Island of a Hundred Windmills,” the maritime company FRS Express des îles offers several daily trips, with ferries connecting Pointe-à-Pitre to Grand-Bourg. The ferry service between Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante, operated by vessels equipped with state-of-the-art SeaState stabilizers, ensures optimal comfort for passengers during the one-hour crossing.

4 Great Reasons to Book Your Ferry Tickets to Marie-Galante

Take the time to discover this destination whose charm and mystery reveal themselves only to visitors willing to explore it at their own pace. Here, time seems to have stood still.

It’s a good idea to rent a car to roam the many roads of the island, lose yourself at the end of a country lane, and stumble upon a small, pristine sandy beach. If you forget to arrange a car rental beforehand, you’ll be pleased to find that upon arriving in Marie-Galante by ferry, numerous car rental companies await at the dock to offer their services.

For more details, feel free to visit the website of the Marie-Galante Tourism Office.

Unmatched Rums

Marie-Galante is undoubtedly home to some of the best rum distilleries in the Caribbean, with three iconic institutions renowned among enthusiasts:

  • Père Labat: This agricultural rum, produced in Grand-Bourg, has adopted a humorous slogan: “Here, it’s Labat.”
  • Bielle: Also produced in Grand-Bourg, this distillery offers high-quality white and aged rums, as well as exceptional liqueurs.
  • Bellevue: Known for its unique feature of having a 59° alcohol content.
One hand holds a glass of Caribbean rum

Visiting the distilleries is one of the must-see experiences for anyone who wants to say they’ve truly explored the “Island of a Hundred Windmills.” Of course, you can take home a few bottles as souvenirs, especially aged rums, during your return ferry trip from Marie-Galante to Pointe-à-Pitre.

A beach with palm trees on the island of Marie Galante

Beaches with Subtle Charm

While the beaches of Guadeloupe can sometimes be crowded, especially during the high season, that’s not something you’ll experience in Marie-Galante. Here, tourists are fewer, and the population density is so low that it’s not uncommon to have a pristine sandy beach all to yourself! Swimming in turquoise waters at nearly 30°C is a reality here. This is all the more reason to plan your next vacation and book your ferry tickets to Marie-Galante.

A Heritage to Discover

Marie-Galante, also known as "La Grande Galette," boasts an exceptional architectural heritage, particularly with the Habitation Murat and Habitation Roussel-Trianon, which are former sugar plantations. Visiting the restored ruins of these two remarkable sites is a must on the list of attractions in Marie-Galante.

Another unique aspect of Marie-Galante is its history of hosting numerous indigo workshops until the early 18th century. Today, the remains of these stone vats can mainly be visited in the Plaine des Galets, located in the eastern part of the island.

Finally, the island also offers a rich natural heritage, such as the Gueule Grand Gouffre, a natural arch carved by the crashing waves of the sea, located in the northern part of Marie-Galante.

Stone building in Marie Galante
  • A band plays on stage at a festival in the Caribbean
  • A band plays on stage at a festival in the Caribbean
  • A singer performs on stage at a festival in the Caribbean
  • Celebrating crowd in front of the stage of a festival in the Caribbean
  • A band on stage at a festival in the Caribbean

A Festival Deeply Rooted in Its Territory

For the past 20 years, every year during the Pentecost weekend, the "Island of a Hundred Windmills" comes alive for a few days to the intense rhythms of the Terre de Blues Festival. Originally designed to pay tribute to the music of Africa, the southern United States, and the Caribbean, this event now hosts many invited artists to celebrate their roots and share their love for music. It’s the time of year when we recommend booking your ferry tickets from Pointe-à-Pitre to Marie-Galante in advance to ensure a smooth crossing.

For more information about the festival, feel free to visit the official website of Marie-Galante’s flagship event.

Discover all the boat connections from Dominica to:

Guadeloupe

Further boat connections from Guadeloupe:

Dominica
Martinique
Les Saintes