Are you thinking of renting a boat in Guadeloupe with Blue Boat Rental? Find here the answers to the most frequently asked questions from our customers about our rental conditions, sailing in Guadeloupe, the destinations accessible from Gourbeyre and Terre-de-Haut, and the formalities to be expected.<\/p>
If you can't find the answer to your question, contact us at +590 690 54 39 17 or by email at info@blueboatrental.fr.<\/p>
Yes, a boat license is mandatory for all our boats. Our semi-rigid boats Sol\u00e9a (300 hp) and Yop Yop (150 hp) exceed the power that would allow you to rent without a license. You must present a valid coastal license on the day of pick-up, whether you are French or foreign (European or international license accepted).<\/p>
The French coastal permit is accepted, as well as equivalent permits issued in the European Union (German Sportbootf\u00fchrerschein, Dutch Vaarbewijs, British RYA Day Skipper, etc.). For permits from other countries, please contact us before booking for validation.<\/p>
The main renter (driver) must be at least 21 years old on the day of boat pickup. Passengers can be of any age, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.<\/p>
Yes, we require solid boating experience, especially for the Sol\u00e9a (7.4m, 300 hp). You must be able to demonstrate good command of a boat of similar size and power. This requirement ensures your safety, that of your passengers, and compliance with maritime regulations.<\/p>
On the day of pick-up, please bring:<\/p>
Our rates start at \u20ac265 per day for the Yop Yop (6.45m rigid-hulled inflatable, 8 people, 150 hp) departing from Gourbeyre. The Sol\u00e9a (7.4m rigid-hulled inflatable, 10 people, 300 hp) is available starting at \u20ac395 per day. Departing from Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes, the rates are \u20ac290 for the Yop Yop and \u20ac435 for the Sol\u00e9a. Fuel is not included in these prices.<\/p>
No, the fuel is at your expense. Our boats run on unleaded. Consumption depends on your sailing program, the speed adopted and the weather conditions. We give you a personalized estimate according to your itinerary when booking.<\/p>
The deposit is \u20ac3,000 for Sol\u00e9a. It is requested by bank imprint or check on the day of pickup and returned upon return of the boat if no damage is found. Contact us for details on deposits depending on the boat chosen.<\/p>
Booking is made directly online on our website. Select your boat, your dates, the number of people and the desired options (wakeboard, paddle, fins-mask-snorkel, towed buoy). A deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your slot. You can also contact us for a personalized quote request.<\/p>
Our cancellation terms are detailed in our General Terms and Conditions of Sale. In case of cancellation due to weather (lessor's decision), you will be fully refunded or may postpone your outing. For any other cancellation, the terms depend on the notice period.<\/p>
Yes, our \u00abQuote Request\u00bb page allows you to submit your project to us: desired dates, number of people, planned destination, options. We will respond within 24 to 48 hours with a tailored proposal.<\/p>
Our boats are equipped for coastal navigation. From the Rivi\u00e8re-Sens Marina in Gourbeyre (Basse-Terre), you can reach the most beautiful spots of the \"C\u00f4te-sous-le-Vent\" in a few tens of minutes: the Cousteau reserve, the Pigeon islets, the beaches of Malendure, Bouillante and its hot springs, or even the archipelago of Les Saintes. From Terre-de-Haut, you can directly explore the archipelago: \u00celet \u00e0 Cabrit, Grand-\u00celet, Pain de Sucre, Marigot Bay.<\/p>
Absolutely, Les Saintes is one of the must-see destinations. From Gourbeyre, the crossing to Terre-de-Haut takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the conditions. You can also depart directly from Terre-de-Haut if you are staying there: our Sol\u00e9a and Yop Yop boats are based there, departing from this island. There, you will discover the famous Bay of Les Saintes, ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world.<\/p>
Yes, the Cousteau reserve (Pigeon islets in Bouillante) is easily accessible from the Rivi\u00e8re-Sens Marina. Allow about 45 minutes of navigation. This classified site is a paradise for snorkeling and diving, with exceptional marine fauna: parrotfish, turtles, barracudas, corals. We offer the optional fins-mask-snorkel kit to fully enjoy the site.<\/p>
These more distant destinations require prior analysis of weather conditions and your sailing program. Marie-Galante is about a 1 hour 30 minute to 2 hour sail from Gourbeyre, depending on sea conditions. We will discuss your project with you to verify its feasibility and safety.<\/p>
The dry season, from December to May, offers the best conditions: calm seas, little rain, and moderate trade winds. This is the ideal time for sailing and exploring the islets. The wet season, from June to November, remains navigable but can be marked by squalls and the cyclone season (peaking in August-September). Our boats sail year-round, with program adjustments based on the weather.<\/p>
Safety takes precedence over all other considerations. If the weather conditions do not allow a safe outing (strong wind, strong swell, weather alert), we cancel the outing and offer you either a postponement to a later date or a full refund. The decision is up to the professional rental company, in accordance with maritime regulations.<\/p>
The Yop Yop can accommodate up to 8 people (adults and children combined). The Sol\u00e9a is approved for 10 people. These capacities are strictly regulated: it is not possible to exceed these numbers, for safety and insurance reasons.<\/p>
Yes, children are welcome. They must be accompanied by a responsible adult and wear a life jacket appropriate for their size and weight for the entire duration of the trip. We provide life jackets of all sizes, including for children.<\/p>
Our boats are equipped for your comfort and safety:<\/p>
Yes, we offer several options to add to your rental:<\/p>
Certainly, you are free to bring your picnic, drinks, and cooler. Our boats have storage space and a small built-in cooler on the Sol\u00e9a. We recommend bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, and light clothing. Alcohol is permitted for passengers, but prohibited for the pilot.<\/p>
Boarding is made easy by our floating Dockmarine pontoon at Marina Rivi\u00e8re-Sens. However, a semi-rigid is still a sporty boat that requires some mobility to get on and move around. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific situation.<\/p>
We offer two starting points in Guadeloupe:<\/p>
Rivi\u00e8re-Sens Marina is located in Gourbeyre, Basse-Terre. From P\u00f4le Cara\u00efbes Airport (Pointe-\u00e0-Pitre), expect a drive of approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour via the N1 then N2. Parking is available near the marina.<\/p>
Terre-de-Haut is accessible by ferry from Trois-Rivi\u00e8res (20 minutes), Pointe-\u00e0-Pitre, or Saint-Fran\u00e7ois. Several companies operate daily connections. We will meet you at the dock at the agreed-upon time.<\/p>
Our rentals are by the day, generally from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is essential to respect these times, especially the return time: night navigation is not permitted with our boats (daytime coastal equipment).<\/p>
Navigation in Guadeloupe is generally safe during the dry season. The main points to be aware of are: sometimes strong winds in the channel of Les Saintes, swell on the windward coast, and reefs to avoid. We will give you a complete briefing before departure, with areas to favor and those to avoid.<\/p>
Encounters with sharks are extremely rare in Guadeloupe's coastal waters frequented by boaters. No incidents have been reported at the usual swimming and snorkeling spots like the Cousteau Reserve or Les Saintes. Swimming there is considered safe.<\/p>
We are very committed to the preservation of the marine environment of Guadeloupe. We ask you to:<\/p>
Onboard, you have a VHF radio to contact CROSS Antilles-Guyane (channel 16) in case of emergency. We are also providing you with our on-call phone number for any technical questions or non-urgent difficulties. A comprehensive safety briefing is conducted before each departure.<\/p>
Blue Boat Rental is a local boat rental company based in Guadeloupe, in Saint-Claude. We offer rigid inflatable boat rentals departing from the Rivi\u00e8re-Sens Marina (Gourbeyre) and Terre-de-Haut (Les Saintes), with recent, well-maintained boats equipped for your comfort and safety.<\/p>
Our current formulas are \u00abboat only\u00bb (without a skipper), subject to presenting a license and sufficient sailing experience. For a trip accompanied by a professional skipper, contact us: we can direct you to our local partners.<\/p>
Our website is available in French, English, German, and Dutch. Our teams communicate in French and English. For exchanges in German or Dutch, email support is available.<\/p>
You can reach us at:<\/p>
We are at your disposal for any further questions about boat rental in Guadeloupe, whether it's to prepare your itinerary, choose between our Sol\u00e9a and Yop Yop boats, organize an outing with family or friends, or plan a day trip to Les Saintes or the Cousteau Reserve.<\/p>
Contact us at +590 690 54 39 17 or at info@blueboatrental.fr. Our team will respond quickly to best prepare your Caribbean Sea adventure.<\/p>
See you on board soon!<\/strong><\/p>