Vieux-Bourg coast / Babin
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Vieux-Bourg coast / Babin
Morne-a-l'Eau

Vieux-Bourg coast / Babin

Coastline and cliff
Pond and wetland
Relaxation area
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Visit the Morne-à-l'Eau coast on the "Case aux Lamantins" ("Manatees' Hut") path. The name is due to the large number of manatees that once lived in the Grand Cul de Sac Marin bay. The "Manatees' Hut" was at the heart of the municipality of Morne-à-L'Eau, before it became "Vieux-Bourg".
Babin beach is an exceptional site, since it is the only "green beach" in Guadeloupe. It has a picnic area and is the ideal spot to take it easy.

8 points of interest

  • Flora

    Red mangroves

    The riverbank or coastal mangrove forest, with stable salt levels (at least 30 grams per litre), is home to the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), recognisable by its aerial roots. The roots allow acorn barnacles, mussels, mangrove oysters and sponges to develop. Almost a hundred species of mostly young shellfish and fish have been listed in the mangrove forest. For the juvenile red porgy, bar jack and tarpon, as well as for young shrimp and lobster, the mangrove forest is their nursery. It is vital for the equilibrium and development of marine animals.
  • Fauna

    American yellow warbler

    The American yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia) is known as "Ti Jon" ("Lit'l Jon") in Creole. It is a sedentary bird found all over the West Indies. In most islands, it lives mainly in the mangrove forests, but can also sometimes be found in the coastal forests and even in the mountain forests.
    Watch and listen! This site is teeming with life.
  • Flora

    Grandleaf seagrape

    The grandleaf seagrape (Coccoloba pubescens) is a member of the Polygonaceae family. It can be found all over the West Indies.
    The tree can grow up to 25m in height. Some leaves are 45 cm in diameter. They are bright green and pale on the other side with yellow veins. The flowers are a greenish white colour. The fruits are 2 cm wide.
  • Fauna

    Crabs

    Many burrows and crabs can be seen in the mangrove forest alongside the footpath, including Cardisoma guanhumi, generally known as the blue land crab.
  • Flora

    "Moco-moco"

    Montrichardia arborescens, known as Moco-moco in the West Indies, belongs to the Araceae family. The plant can grow up to 3 or 4 metres high and has large, arrow-shaped leaves. The flowers have the unusual quality shared by all Araceae flowers of producing heat (thermogenesis).
    The plant grows right next to rivers and in coastal marshes.
  • Flora

    Three big mango trees

    The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, originally from south Asia. It can grow between 10 and 25 metres high.
    Mango trees are often grown in tropical countries for their fruit. They were probably one of the first fruit trees to be cultivated.
  • Flora

    Coastal vegetation

    Next to the sea, the portia tree (Thespasia populnea), seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) and Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) form a bar of coastal vegetation.
  • Area of relaxation

    Babin

    Babin beach is noticeable for its sea mud. The sludge-like sediments, rich in silt, have only a small quantity of sand. It is thought to be an effective remedy for rheumatism and skin diseases. From the beach, you have a good view of the Fajou and Macou islands, the north of Basse-Terre and the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin.

Description

Trail markings: yellow.
Starts from the car park next to the Vieux-Bourg fishing port. Take the Rue de la Case aux Lamantins towards the municipal nautical centre. Walk past the stadium, then 150 metres further on, turn off the road and enter the forest. Then follow the footpath with yellow markings. It winds its way between the mangrove and the wet meadow. Carry on until you arrive at the Babin site.
Take the same route on the way back.
  • Departure : Vieux-Bourg port, Morne-à-l'Eau
  • Arrival : Vieux-Bourg port, Morne-à-l'Eau
  • Towns crossed : Morne-a-l'Eau

Altimetric profile


Recommandations

In this natural setting, you should be particularly careful and alert, since Guadeloupe is subject to natural risks. It is vital to act in a responsible way, so that everyone can enjoy the hike!
Please note: unsupervised car park.

Information desks


Access and parking

GPS starting point: Lat: 16,34224°N - Long: 61,51056°W.
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From the RN5 road, south of the town of Morne-à-L'Eau, take the RD107 road towards "Vieux-Bourg". Stay on the road as far as the port of Vieux-Bourg.

Parking :

Vieux-Bourg port.

Source


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