NECK RESERVE

From Pointe Mahault to Pointe Lézarde, this marine area, classified as a nature reserve, has been named after the famous explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Aboard the mythical ship Calypso, the famous navigator and his crew stopped off at the Côte sous-le-Vent in 1950 during the filming of Le Monde du silence. Amazed by the beauty of the seabed after diving there, they wanted to protect the site and have it declared a nature reserve, but were unable to do so at the time. However, local merchants dubbed the site the "Réserve Cousteau". Several diving clubs set up shop there. Since then, the site has become a must-see diving spot in Guadeloupe, with an international reputation. It was only in 2009 that it became a nature reserve. Since then, it has been managed by the Guadeloupe National Park.

A bronze bust of the illustrious explorer, complete with his famous red bonnet, was placed in 2004 at a depth of 12 meters off the coast of Malendure at the Jardin de Corail site. The site is open to all, even for first-time divers.

From the tourist beach of Malendure, with its black volcanic sand, many boats depart with divers and visitors to discover the seabed of the îlets Pigeon, renowned for the quality of its water and its biodiversity. It's also the starting point for kayak or glass-bottom boat trips, which allow you to admire the seabed without having to dive (with a swim stop along the way).

Most of the clubs are located on Malendure beach, an easy-to-reach starting point. Anyone wishing to try scuba diving can discover the underwater riches here without any apprehension. It's a good idea to find out in advance about the presence of guides at the diving centers. We counted no fewer than 19 sites, ranging in depth from 0 to 40 m. 3 wrecks, located 10 minutes from the beach(Le Franjack at 23 m, L'Augustin Fresnel at 28 m and Le Gustavia at 40 m) are very popular with clubs for night dives. For PMT (fins, mask, snorkel) outings to the Cousteau reserve, no need to book. However, caution is still the order of the day: it's imperative to follow safety instructions, and in particular to mark your position with a buoy. You should also be aware of any contraindications to diving; for example, pregnant women and people who have to fly during the day should refrain from diving.