Best time to visitCaraïbes
When to go to Guadeloupe: climate, seasons and the best time to visit
Between a sunny carême and a wetter hivernage, here's the most favourable time to discover Guadeloupe.
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PlanTripNow Team
July 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Guadeloupe enjoys a tropical maritime climate, cooled by the trade winds. The archipelago has two main seasons: carême, dry, from mid-December to May, and hivernage, wetter and hurricane-prone, from June to November.
Carême and hivernage: the archipelago's two seasons
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with risk peaking between August and October. Temperatures stay remarkably steady all year round, generally between 24 and 31 degrees. It's mainly the humidity level that varies noticeably: distinctly higher during hivernage, more comfortable during carême.
One geographical nuance is worth knowing before planning your itinerary: Basse-Terre, a mountainous island covered in rainforest and dominated by the Soufrière volcano, receives significantly more rainfall than Grande-Terre, which is flatter and generally drier.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Guadeloupe falls between January and April: carême is in full swing, humidity is lower, and hurricane risk is virtually nil. The sea stays warm year-round, generally between 26 and 29 degrees, allowing swimming and water activities whatever season you choose.
Best time to visit
January to April
Carême (dry season)
Mid-December to May
Hivernage (wet season)
June to November
Peak hurricane risk
August to October
Temperatures
24 to 31 degrees year-round
Sea temperature
26 to 29 degrees year-round
Key facts for Guadeloupe
Best time to visit
January to April
Carême (dry season)
Mid-December to May
Hivernage (wet season)
June to November
Peak hurricane risk
August to October
Temperatures
24 to 31 degrees
Sea temperature
26 to 29 degrees
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Guadeloupe?
From January to April, during carême: humidity is lower, sunshine dominates and hurricane risk is virtually nil.
When is hurricane season in Guadeloupe?
The official season runs from June 1 to November 30, with risk peaking between August and October. This isn't reason enough to cancel a trip during hivernage, but it does call for close attention to forecasts.
Is it hotter in Basse-Terre or Grande-Terre?
Temperatures are similar across the archipelago, but Basse-Terre, mountainous and covered in rainforest, receives noticeably more rain than the flatter, drier Grande-Terre.
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