Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone

Réserve Cousteau surrounds the Pigeon Islets off the leeward coast of Basse-Terre, near Bouillante. The site combines shallow coral gardens with steep drop-offs, rocky passages, sponges, sea fans, and deeper reef walls inhabited by reef fishes, sea turtles, moray eels, and other Caribbean marine life. Although the name commemorates Jacques-Yves Cousteau, “Réserve Cousteau” is an informal name rather than an official protected-area designation. The waters immediately surrounding the islets now form the Pigeon marine core of Guadeloupe National Park, where fishing, anchoring, navigation, and visitor activities are regulated to protect the seabed and reduce damage from heavy recreational use.

Fun Fact: Five of the world’s seven living sea-turtle species occur in the waters of the French Antilles, including hawksbill and green turtles commonly associated with Guadeloupe’s reefs and seagrass meadows.