Guadeloupe - Bois Jolan Beach
Bois Jolan Beach is a long beach extending from St. Anne to St. Francois in Guadeloupe, a French-Caribbean archipelago boasting of a harmonious mix of European, African and East Indian influences. Guadeloupe is famous for its amazing landscape and stunning beaches, where visitors are offered a diversity of powdery white or rich black sands. Bois Jolan is a family beach, moderately shaded by a profusion of tall coconut trees and covered by white sands on the stretch near the sugar town of St. Anne. Guests are charged a fee for using the beach. Across the beach is the town, where every amenity known to serious beach goers is available. St. Anne offers a choice of lodgings as well as a range of restaurants and cafes for a sample of the best Creole cuisine.
West of the town is St. Francois, which has a small beach offering just the basic tourist necessities. Aside from tourism, locals make their living by catching clams in the shallow waters of Bois Jolan. Just a few years ago, the beach was an eyesore, with so many “huts” serving as weekend homes erected by residents just a few meters from the shore. The municipality of St. Anne demolished these shelters in order to restore Bois Jolan to its former pristine and natural state.
Like the 50 or so spectacular beaches found in Guadeloupe, the long stretch of Bois Jolan is perfect for a variety of watersports. The beach is surrounded by coral reefs. A visitor just needs a mask, a fin and a snorkel to witness and be amazed by multitudes of tropical fishes and other marine creatures. Steady winds hover across the beach, creating moderate to rough waves for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Certified trainers are on hand to teach windsurfer and kitesurfer programs. Lessons and equipment rentals are generally available in hotels found in St. Anne and St. Francois. Boise Jolan Beach is a romantic site for lovers, with its swaying coconut trees bent over shallow, transparent waters and softly lapping waves. The turquoise, shallow waters make the beach a safe swimming spot for children and toddlers. During holidays, Bois Jolan is a favorite spot for locals to pitch their tents and enjoy the pleasure of the beach.