At a glance

• Two nights of genre-spanning Caribbean music — from gwo ka masters and zouk bands to reggae/soca headliners and electro-Caribbean DJs — on open-air stages by the waterfront
• 2025 lineup TBA: expect a potent mix of Guadeloupean and regional standouts, with live percussion, call-and-response vocals, and sound system culture in full swing
• Eco-minded setup typically featuring a Green Village with workshops, oceans-and-mangrove talks, local designers, and zero-waste bars with reusable cup deposits
• Island flavors on site: bokit hot from the griddle, spicy accras, dombré, fresh cane juice, and craft rums from local distilleries
• Location in and around central Pointe-à-Pitre, a short hop from the airport and the marina/Le Gosier hotel strip

Key dates

• Thursday, June 5, 2025 — Green Village & Workshops: 10:00–17:00; Opening Ceremony: 17:30; Main Concert Night 1: 18:30–00:30; Late DJ set/after-party nearby: 00:30–03:00
• Friday, June 6, 2025 — Eco Talks & Marketplace: 10:00–16:00; Industry Meet-up/Networking: 16:00–17:30; Main Concert Night 2: 18:30–01:00; Final Jam: 01:00–02:30
• VIP Experiences (both days) — Fast-track entry, shaded viewing deck, dedicated bar, and access to select meet-and-greets or guided sustainability tours (timings announced on site)
• Community moments — Morning beach clean-up and drum warm-up within the festival program on June 5 & 6 (times announced closer to event)
• Tickets — Early-bird and tiered pricing released via the official site; on-site box office hours typically begin mid-afternoon

How to get there

From Europe, the simplest gateway to Guadeloupe is Pointe-à-Pitre Pôle Caraïbes Airport (PTP). Direct long-haul flights operate year-round from Paris Orly with Air France, Air Caraïbes, and Corsair. The hop from Paris to PTP runs about 8.5–9.0 hours.

Travelers from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, and other European cities can connect in Paris (often Orly). Expect 11–13 hours total travel time including transit. Book early for June — it’s the start of the summer high season in the French Caribbean, and fares climb quickly.

On arrival at PTP, you’re about 10–20 minutes by taxi from central Pointe-à-Pitre and the marina/Le Gosier hotel strip. Car rentals are widely available in-terminal if you want island flexibility; otherwise, use licensed taxis at the airport rank. The Karulis bus network runs limited service between the airport, downtown, and Le Gosier — useful by day, less so at night when the concerts peak.

Regional add-ons: L’Express des Îles ferries link Guadeloupe with Martinique, Dominica, and Saint Lucia — a sweet way to turn your festival into a mini-island hop.

Where to stay

If you want to stroll or take a quick taxi to the action, base yourself around Pointe-à-Pitre and the marina/Le Gosier corridor.

Close and convenient: La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa (Le Gosier), Arawak Beach Resort, Mahogany Hotel Résidence & Spa, Canella Beach, and Auberge de la Vieille Tour put you on the sand with a 10–20 minute ride to the festival zone. Many of these properties have pools, sea views, and easy taxi access after midnight.

City-side and budget-friendly: Appart’City Pointe-à-Pitre (near the marina), Hôtel Saint John Perse (in town), and local guesthouses or apartment rentals give you a wallet-friendly base and quick access to markets and street food. If you’re self-catering, pick up fresh produce and spices at Marché de la Darse.

Festival camping: Not typically offered in Pointe-à-Pitre. If you crave that camping vibe, consider staying in a beachside bungalow on Grande-Terre and renting a car for the short drive to the venue.

Festival experience

By late afternoon, the harbor breeze kicks in, rum punch scents the air, and drums begin to tumble across the waterfront. Locals arrive in bright prints and beach hats, travelers drift in with wide eyes, and the sound systems warm the crowd before the first band hits. It’s relaxed, sunlit, and social — then suddenly electric when the riddim drops.

Tickets: Keep an eye on the official site for early-bird releases and tiered pricing. Expect day passes and a 2-day pass; VIP typically unlocks shaded viewing, fast-track entry, and a quieter lounge when you need a breather. Buy online to avoid queues and lock in lower tiers.

Stages and flow: A main outdoor stage anchors the concerts, with a second space or DJ canopy flipping between electronic, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean blends. Daytime belongs to the Green Village: sustainability talks, eco design, upcycling workshops, and a marketplace of local artisans. Plan to browse by day, then stake out your sweet-spot for the evening shows.

Schedule strategy: Arrive before sunset to scope the grounds, grab a first bite, and note the shortest bar lines. Big sets typically crest from 9:30pm to midnight; it’s the moment the crowd moves as one — when drum breaks and horn lines feel like ocean swells. If you’re hopping between stages, mark must-see slots and set an alarm; it’s easy to get happily lost in the vendor village.

VIP vs GA: General Admission is pure, immersive energy; you’re right in the current of the crowd. VIP adds shade, a little more elbow room, dedicated bars, and sometimes meet-and-greets — worth it if you want comfort or are traveling with a group.

First-timer tips: Hydrate constantly (humidity is real), wear breathable fabrics, and switch between sandals and trainers to keep your feet fresh. Bring a light rain layer for tropical bursts, a portable charger, and earplugs for those front-of-house moments. Carry a small stash of euros; most vendors take cards, but signal can be moody by the water.

Food & drink: It’s a feast — bokits oozing with salt-fish or poulet, crispy accras, dombré stews, and silky coconut sorbet. Bars pour ti’ punch and planteur, along with local craft rums and beer. Expect a reusable-cup deposit at bars and free water refill points — the festival leans into cutting waste and plastic.

What to bring: Sunblock, hat, insect repellent, refillable water bottle (empty at entry), compact rain jacket, cash/card, and a bright scarf or light shawl to ride the breeze. Most forgotten items are easy to grab in Le Gosier’s supermarkets or Pointe-à-Pitre pharmacies.

Budget

Lock flights and rooms early — June kicks off summer demand and French school holidays aren’t far behind. If you’re outside France, price multi-city itineraries to route via Paris Orly and avoid costly cross-town transfers.

Share a rental car with friends to cut nightly taxi spend and open up more accommodation choices. If you go car-free, cluster your stay near the marina/Le Gosier corridor for easy taxi access and daytime buses.

Self-cater breakfasts with fresh fruit and pastries from local bakeries, then splurge on festival dinners. Bring a refillable bottle to use at water stations and hold onto your reusable cup to avoid extra deposits.

Watch for early-bird ticket tiers and bundle deals (2-day pass + VIP upgrades). Keep some euros handy — ATMs exist but queues form at night.

Getting around & connectivity

Most festival action is central, and short hops by taxi or on foot are common if you stay near the waterfront or Le Gosier. Parking can be tight around concert hours; arrive early if you’re driving and follow signed lots.

Taxis are available at designated stands and via hotel concierges; they’re reliable late-night. Public buses (Karulis) help by day but wind down in the evening — plan taxis or a designated driver after midnight. If the festival announces eco-shuttles, grab them; they tend to link key hotel zones with the venue.

Renting a car gives you island freedom (beaches by day, concerts by night). Roads are good, but roundabouts get busy at peak times; allow extra time for the airport and sunset shows.

Climate & packing

Early June in Guadeloupe is warm, humid, and lush — 24–31°C (75–88°F) with a real chance of a brief, tropical downpour as rainy season begins. The breeze brings relief by the water, but the Caribbean sun is no joke.

Pack breathable clothing, a brimmed hat, and comfy shoes or sandals you won’t mind dancing in for hours. A light rain jacket or poncho is gold during a quick squall; it dries fast and doubles as a wind layer when the night breeze kicks up. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, and a compact power bank to keep your phone alive through closing sets.

Bring a reusable water bottle (empty at entry) for refill stations and a small daypack for workshops and the marketplace. Forgot something? Pharmacies and supermarkets in Le Gosier and Pointe-à-Pitre stock sun care, rain ponchos, and festival-friendly snacks.

Sample plan

1. Thursday, June 5 — Settle in, then soar: Wake up with a swim off Le Gosier, grab a bokit for lunch, and head to the Green Village by mid-afternoon for ocean-minded talks and a drum workshop. When the sun melts into the harbor, hit the main stage — vocals soaring, drums cracking, hips swaying. After midnight, slide to a marina bar for an after-party set and a nightcap of ti’ punch.
2. Friday, June 6 — Deep dive and grand finale: Stroll Pointe-à-Pitre’s market in the morning for spices and fresh fruit, then pop into a sustainability lab to learn about upcycling island-style. Claim your spot early for the closing night — reggae basslines humming through your chest, zouk melodies wrapping the crowd in harmony. When the last encore lands, join the final jam, hug your new festival family, and promise to meet again on these shores.

Official links & useful resources

• Official Westindies Green Festival website
• Tickets & announcements (official site)
• Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board
• Pointe-à-Pitre Pôle Caraïbes Airport (PTP)
• Air France — Paris to Guadeloupe
• Air Caraïbes — Paris Orly to Guadeloupe
• Corsair — Paris Orly to Guadeloupe
• Karulis Bus Network (Pointe-à-Pitre/Le Gosier)
• L’Express des Îles ferries (regional connections)
• UNESCO: Gwoka music of Guadeloupe