Six islands, endless adventures: New Air Canada route brings Guadeloupe closer to English Canada

New flight, new representation, and a new option for sun-seekers in English Canada.

Tourism officials from the Guadeloupe Islands brought a wave of warmth and confidence to downtown Toronto Tuesday evening (Oct. 7), buoyed by a growing presence in Canada through a newly-formed partnership with VoX International and the upcoming launch of a new Air Canada flight this December.

The Guadeloupe Islands (or Les Îles de Guadeloupe) are a French-Caribbean archipelago located in the Lesser Antilles, east of Dominica and south of Antigua.

Known for their blend of French sophistication and Creole soul, the islands, which collectively attract more than a million tourists annually, offer everything from lush rainforests and volcanic peaks to coral reefs and golden beaches.

“We want to introduce the destination to English Canadians,” said Rodrigue Solitude, CEO of the Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board, speaking to PAX (in French, with his colleague, Matilda Marecheaux, a communications and press relations officer, translating into English) at Lucie restaurant, where French-inspired canapés — created by Chef Arnaud Bloquel, born in France and artistically shaped by years of cooking in Guadeloupe — were served to media and travel pros.

“French Canadians already know the destination and love it, so it’s natural for us to go into the Ontario market and invite travellers to discover this destination. We want to open ourselves to the rest of Canada.”

As previously reported, Toronto-based VoX is now leading Guadeloupe’s PR efforts and travel trade and consumer marketing initiatives, opening the door for more Canadians to discover the region’s unspoiled nature, volcanic landscapes and Creole charm.

The strategy is supported by Air Canada, which will launch a new seasonal route from Toronto to Pointe-à-Pitre — one of Guadeloupe’s six inhabited islands — on Dec. 20, with weekly Saturday flights running through April 11, 2026.

This new link adds to Air Canada’s long-established service (50 years!) from Montreal to Pointe-à-Pitre, where year-round, four to six weekly flights currently operate. 

Air France, too, flies from Montreal to Pointe-à-Pitre, and on Feb. 18, Air Transat will launch a new route to Pointe-à-Pitre from Quebec City.

Improved connectivity has driven growth in the Guadeloupe Islands among Canadian travellers. Over the past four years, Canadian visitation to the destination has increased by 67 per cent, according to Solitude.

A butterfly-shaped paradise

You can think of the Guadeloupe Islands as a living mosaic.

The two main islands — Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre — form a butterfly shape separated by a narrow channel, while smaller islands each have their own distinctive charm.

The idyllic year-round destination, which has a population of some 380,400 people, is set up for slowing down, savouring local culture, and connecting with nature.

“People often think of Guadeloupe as just one island, but it’s six islands with six identities – and you can visit all of them during the same holiday,” Solitude said, noting that the destination appeals to all markets and demographics.

In Basse-Terre, the heart of Guadeloupe, there’s the active volcano La Soufrière — the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, the Parc National de la Guadeloupe – a UNESCO biosphere reserve filled with waterfalls (like the famous Carbet Falls), tropical rainforests, and hiking trails.

A hike up La Soufrière Volcano, known as the “Old Lady,” promises panoramic views over the island and the sea.

Off the black-sand shores of Grande Anse and Malendure Beach, visitors can snorkel at the Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve.

Grande-Terre is Guadeloupe’s lively, sun-drenched half. Its coastline have curving beaches — from the golden sands of Sainte-Anne to the surf spots of Le Moule.

The capital, Pointe-à-Pitre, hums with spice-filled markets, Creole street food, and colourful architecture that hints at centuries of cultural blending.

Further east, limestone cliffs and lookout points like Pointe de la Grande Vigie reveal sweeping views over the Atlantic.

A short ferry ride east of Grande-Terre lies La Désirade — the least visited, and perhaps the most peaceful, of Guadeloupe’s inhabited islands.

The island’s rugged geology makes it one of the Caribbean’s oldest landforms, dating back some 150 million years. With two nature reserves, the destination is home to protected wildlife, from iguanas to turtles to dolphins. A paradise for nature lovers.  

South of the main islands, pancake-shaped Marie-Galante is carpeted with sugarcane fields and dotted with the remains of old stone windmills. Life is flavored by rum distilleries, traditional Creole cooking, and miles of beaches like Anse Canot and Petite Anse. Visitors can sample rum at distilleries like Bellevue, Bielle or Poisson.

South of Basse-Terre lies a cluster of nine islets known as Les Saintes, where only two, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas, are inhabited.

Terre-de-Haut, with its pastel houses, red-tiled roofs, and clear turquoise bay, is the more vibrant of the two. Its hills offer postcard views, especially from Fort Napoléon overlooking the horseshoe-shaped harbour.

Les Saintes Bay on Terre de Haut is often considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

Terre-de-Bas, meanwhile, moves at a gentler pace — less visited, more forested, and perfect for quiet hikes or hammock naps by the sea.

Between its surfing, diving, and snorkelling sites, hiking and horseback riding trails, and vibrant Carnival, the Guadeloupe Islands offer a diverse mix of adventure, culture, and natural beauty for every type of traveller.

Where to stay?

The Guadeloupe Islands has some 7,900 hotel beds, at 42 hotels, in addition to several alternative accommodations, like home rentals and villas.

All-inclusive resorts aren’t a major focus in Guadeloupe, but Club Med La Caravelle, located on La Caravelle Beach in Sainte-Anne on Grande-Terre, is one standout option that caters to that market.

Guadeloupe is gearing up to welcome the Pullman Royal Key Wellness Resort, a new, four-star, 102-room hotel in Le Moule on Grande-Terre that is set to open in late 2025.

The Accor-operated resort will boast the “largest spa in the Caribbean," Solitude said. It will also be the first Pullman-branded resort in the Caribbean.

It’s an exciting addition, but Solitude emphasized that the Guadeloupe experience is all about getting off properties and connecting with locals.

Do you need to speak French or Creole to get by in Guadeloupe?

It certainly helps, but it’s not mandatory as English is spoken (or, at the very least, understood) in touristic areas, Solitude said.

“We love to interact with people as they discover the culture and take part in our way of life,” he said.

To get started on vacation planning, travel advisors can visit the Guadeloupe Islands' official website and download the destination’s dedicated app, Hello Guadeloupe. 

Solitude noted that the tourism board plans to organize FAM trips for the trade once Air Canada’s new Toronto- Pointe-à-Pitre route is launched.

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