Jacques Cousteau's Underwater Reserve
Jacques Cousteau's Underwater Reserve
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See the beautiful marine life of the Caribbean by snorkeling, scuba diving or glass-bottom boat touring.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
276 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
67
Average
36
Poor
26
Terrible
10
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RomseyChechy
Romsey, UK330 contributions
Jan 2020
We went on a trip from a cruise ship and thought we would be snorkeling at the reef. We went on a glass bottom boat tour, taking it in turns to go below and look at the reef.
It is certainly ot pristine and we had better snorkeling in other places in the caribbean. It was also VERY expensive from the ship, costing $169 each including the transfer.. I am sure that there are better places in guadeloupe to choose. Its trading on its name. The road there from Basseterre is quite twisty and our driver was rather fast which did not help. There is not much there on the beach, a couple of bars and souvenir shops.
It is certainly ot pristine and we had better snorkeling in other places in the caribbean. It was also VERY expensive from the ship, costing $169 each including the transfer.. I am sure that there are better places in guadeloupe to choose. Its trading on its name. The road there from Basseterre is quite twisty and our driver was rather fast which did not help. There is not much there on the beach, a couple of bars and souvenir shops.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret H
6 contributions
Feb 2020
There were so many people snorkeling/diving here I almost crashed into several and went I went underwater I saw almost as many bodies as fish. That said, wow - there are amazing schools of fish here and very pretty coral. If you have the energy, rent a kayak and go out on your own earlier in the day. I went with a tour and didn't like being forced into a group instead of snorkeling on my own (you're at the mercy of 6 people with mask issues).
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Licharson
Kingston, Canada402 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We kayaked out and snorkelled the reef areas because this is something you really must do if you are at all healthy and spending any time in Guadeloupe.
There are good numbers of fish and, if you are young or have not had the experience of what Caribbean reefs were like before global warming damage, you will probably be well satisfied with all that you see.
For us old timers, however, it was almost a sad experience. This is a very pale reflection of the superabundance and vivid colours we experienced on the reefs at these latitudes in both the Caribbean and East Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.
All, really, that is left here is brain coral and some fire coral and, in retrospect, pretty sparse numbers of fish.
In any case, do see this while you still can. In another twenty years, unless something drastic changes, this will likely resemble more an under water desert.
(Try to find some of the old Cousteau TV programs to see what reefs used to be.)
There are good numbers of fish and, if you are young or have not had the experience of what Caribbean reefs were like before global warming damage, you will probably be well satisfied with all that you see.
For us old timers, however, it was almost a sad experience. This is a very pale reflection of the superabundance and vivid colours we experienced on the reefs at these latitudes in both the Caribbean and East Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.
All, really, that is left here is brain coral and some fire coral and, in retrospect, pretty sparse numbers of fish.
In any case, do see this while you still can. In another twenty years, unless something drastic changes, this will likely resemble more an under water desert.
(Try to find some of the old Cousteau TV programs to see what reefs used to be.)
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigPete
Longueuil, Canada57 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
I read the comments of the pure ones who denigrate the reserve, that it is less beautiful than before,... And the big groups who flood the place. This is partly true but we are also responsible for it. Do you want to have fewer people? Take a kayak in the morning at 8:00 am. It's 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back, the winds can be 20. This morning there were 4 of us. From 10 a.m. it's full on the beaches but the pools are large. We saw several fish and healthy corals there.
However, I agree to better protect this site. Do not touch the corals and limit the use of sunscreen (use a sweater, put on sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going into the water).
The first pool and second pool are easily accessible. The third pool you have to cross the island and enter through large rocks… More for scuba diving.
However, I agree to better protect this site. Do not touch the corals and limit the use of sunscreen (use a sweater, put on sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going into the water).
The first pool and second pool are easily accessible. The third pool you have to cross the island and enter through large rocks… More for scuba diving.
Written January 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan H
Northfield, OH242 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
It's fun to ride under the water- but it's darker blue when it's cloudy. TJust a few different fish and lots of beginning coral all the same dark blue color. Perhaps it would be better if it was sunny to let natural colors come alive?
The snorkeling was in a rougher water bay area...Thank goodness the boat driver helped me swim back to the boat or I'd still be out there! You need to be a strong swimmer in that area.
The snorkeling was in a rougher water bay area...Thank goodness the boat driver helped me swim back to the boat or I'd still be out there! You need to be a strong swimmer in that area.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VirginieA74
Haute-Savoie, France168 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We visited the place first with the Nautilus boat, to show the children the beauty of the seabed.
We then continued to explore on our own by snorkeling from the Malendure beaches. Our daughters were over the moon to be able to observe all these fish for themselves with their masks.
Magnificent and to do even with children. Obviously you must respect the instructions and not touch anything, in order to preserve this nature...
We then continued to explore on our own by snorkeling from the Malendure beaches. Our daughters were over the moon to be able to observe all these fish for themselves with their masks.
Magnificent and to do even with children. Obviously you must respect the instructions and not touch anything, in order to preserve this nature...
Written December 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarjia
Klaukkala, Finland263 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Great experience going snorkeling near the Pigeon islands. The coral reef was beautiful and there was plenty of colourful fish to see. Some of the fish swimming so close they almost touch. I have seen comments here about a disappointing dead reef - maybe the people were not in the right place?
After the reef, we went to petit Malendure to see the water turtles. They were also magical to swim with.
After the reef, we went to petit Malendure to see the water turtles. They were also magical to swim with.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thierry
Eyguieres, France145 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Perfect place to see a fairly magnificent quantity of fish and coral massifs while snorkeling!
Don't hesitate to dive starting from Malendure beach and follow the coast and the magic will happen.
I recommend even with young children starting diving.
Don't hesitate to dive starting from Malendure beach and follow the coast and the magic will happen.
I recommend even with young children starting diving.
Written May 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pauline P
La Roche-Posay, France33 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Wonderful day. My wife and I aren't particularly keen on a beach day but it's worth it! Luckily for us September is out of season so there are a lot fewer tourists and there is therefore no rush to admire the seabed. We even took advantage of the few people to go on an excursion to 3 different sites and we were able to admire a turtle quietly eating, the corals and also the fish in their natural state.
Written September 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J_travelB
Guelph, Canada1,384 contributions
Jan 2020
Its amazing. The reef here is so alive... the corals are amazing to look at and the fish life is abundant! Would love to have spent more time here. It was so beautiful. It is like swimming in an aquarium. The reef is close enough to the surface you don't need to scuba, but that would be nice also in some parts.
Wished we could have spent waaaay more time here exploring!
Wished we could have spent waaaay more time here exploring!
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi could you let me know if the snorkelling at pigeon Island is from a beach or from a boat. Thanks
Written February 20, 2019
From a boat. The dive master was British b ut pretty lax on safety I must add!
Written April 18, 2019
I used CIP and they did a great job. Excellent equipment and staff.
Written March 31, 2019
Where on the Island is the reserve off & where is the nearest area for accommodation please
Written December 16, 2014
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