Ilet a Cabrit des Saintes, Guadeloupe
🇫🇷Terre-de-Haut

Îlet à Cabrit des Saintes, Guadeloupe: Uncommon Envy

She teased me incessantly throughout the entirety of my nearly two days in Terre-de-Haut, the impossibly charming corner of the Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe; a stunning expanse of exotic islet sweetness stretching from the Bay of Les Saintes.

Îlet à Cabrit: the one that got away.

Oh, I didn’t think too much of her at first. Gliding past Cabrit on the ferry from Trois-Riviere, I hardly gave her a second glance, so excited was I to get ashore and at the charms on Terre-de-Haut.

Most everywhere I went on Terre-de-Haut, though, she was there, Cabrit’s beauty and the thrill of her unknown treasures a constant distraction. Even when I couldn’t see Cabrit, her presence remained impossible to ignore. I could feel her pulling me to make the tiny one kilometer sail or swim to her shores.

View of Ilet a Cabrit from atop Le Chameau, highest point of Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe
View of Ilet a Cabrit from atop Le Chameau, highest point of Terre-de-Haut | SBPR

I never got around to it, though, a sin that I’m very much regretting these days.

Since I returned from Les Saintes, I’ve learned that Îlet à Cabrit has quite a lot to offer the uncommon traveler.

History

The island formerly known as Petite Martinique was apparently long-prized by the French colonialists running the show in and around Guadeloupe during the earliest days of European expansion into the West Indies. A fort constructed on the islet’s highest point (elevation: 300 feet) dates back to 1777.

In 1851, the fort was converted into a penitentiary, offering convicts amazing views of the sea and surrounding islands similar to those “enjoyed” by those interred at Fort Napoleon over on Terre-de-Haut. Twenty years later, the fort became a quarantine area for the sick.

Adventure

As near as I can tell, very few people, if anyone, lives on Îlet à Cabrit full-time anymore, but the old ruins of the fort must make for some pretty cool adventuring. Hiking trails wind throughout the islet connecting landing points along the shore with the ruins. The snorkeling is apparently excellent as well. You can even camp on Cabrit’s sublimely secluded beaches, some of which even have bars and restaurants on ’em.

Sounds like a lot to like to me! You can be sure I won’t miss out on this uncommon islet next time I’m down Gwada way…

Save

Save

Last updated by Steve Bennett on .

Related Posts

10 Minutes from Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe | SBPR
🇫🇷Terre-de-Haut

10 Minutes from Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe

The butterflies in my belly intensified with every passing second. Terre-de-Haut, the jewel of Les Saintes, was only 45 minutes away.
41
Shares
🇫🇷Guadeloupe Islands

Sunset Cruising in Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe

A dinghy for two with a pair of oars to match and not much else...
4
Shares
Îlet à Cabrit sunset, Guadeloupe | SBPR
🇫🇷Terre-de-Haut

Sunset Over Îlet à Cabrit des Saintes, Guadeloupe

Terre-de-Haut in the Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe offers more amazing sunrise and sunset viewpoints than you might expect for an island of such modest size. This one of Îlet à Cabrit is one of my favorites.
33
Shares
Send this to a friend