After a somewhat sleepless night (raccoons raided the leftovers from dinner in our outdoor kitchen) we pack our bags and drive to the starting point of the hiking trail to a small waterfall with an azure blue pool called "Les Saut d'Eau du Matouba" (2 km hike - about 1 hr 30 min). Due to heavy rain, the path is in poor condition. Once you reach the river at the bottom, the trail continues through the river upstream. So please bring appropriate footwear, ideally waterproof shoes. We didn't make it all the way to the waterfall - but it's reportedly worth it.

We drive to our last stop heading north over Basse-Terre towards Deshaies. Along the way we stop at several viewing points marked along the road. We linger longer at Anse a la Barque near Marigot. Here we count about 30 pelicans and other water birds busily feeding. A few small food stalls can be found at Plage de Petit Anse a little further north. We take a longer swimming stop at Plage de Malendure in the Reserve Cousteau. Here you can also take various boats or kayaks to the Ilet a Coyaves and Ilet de Pigeon.
(...more about that in our visit to the Reserve Cousteau)

Beach & Hotel tips: Caraibes Royal or Bord de Mer are only 100 meters from the sea - beach of Hotel Fort Langley (just tell the gate you want to swim and you'll get access) and www.caraibes-bonheur.com **** was fully booked. Great view over the beach, hillside location 300-400 meters from the sea.

Now it's time to check into our hotel, the Caribes Royal, just about 150 m from the beach Anse de la Perle. After a quick exploration of the beach and a short swim at sunset, we retreat to the pool and relax in the jacuzzi.