Les Baillantes Tortues Eurl

Located in Pointe-Noire, between Deshaies and Pointe Noire, Les Baillantes Tortues has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1994. The centre is positioned perfectly for accessing some of Guadeloupe's most significant marine environments, including the renowned Réserve Cousteau.

Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are an experienced diver seeking out deep wrecks, the club operates with a focus on a personalised, convivial atmosphere. The proximity of the dive sites to the port allows for efficient morning departures, typically with two dives scheduled per outing.

The centre is led by Cor, a PADI MSDT and CMAS 3* instructor who founded the club three decades ago. He is joined by Chantal, an FFESSM instructor and PADI Divemaster, ensuring a high level of expertise across both international and French certification standards.

Communication is never an issue for visiting divers, as the team is multilingual, speaking English, French, German, Dutch, and Turkish. This allows for clear instruction and a smooth experience for a diverse range of international divers.

The club provides a comprehensive training catalogue covering both PADI and FFESSM/CMAS pathways. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Scuba Diver course, progressing through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers PADI Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and various FFESSM levels including PE 12, PE 40, PA 20, and PA 40. Advanced divers can also work towards the 3 Star Diver GOLD or PA 40m certifications.

The Ciril One is a fast and comfortable aluminium barge, approved by the French coastguard, which carries up to 12 divers. It is equipped with a sunshade to protect you from the tropical sun during transit.

For safety, the vessel is fully equipped with VHF radio, an oxygen kit, and a safety cylinder. The boat is moored just a few metres from the club, making the transition from the centre to the water very straightforward.

The centre is an Aqualung® certified facility, providing well-maintained and recent kit for those who wish to hire. Available equipment includes full sets, torches for night dives, dive computers, and camera housings or GoPros for underwater photography.

On-site, you will find a large Coltri compressor used to fill 12L steel and aluminium cylinders with both DIN and INT connections. The facility also includes dedicated areas for rinsing and drying your gear, as well as showers for use after your dives.

The reefs are teeming with life, with corals, sponges, and various fish species forming the backbone of the underwater landscape. You can expect to see turtles and large barracuda patrolling the deeper sections of the reef.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are found in abundance around the shallower sites like Anse Paul Thomas and the Caves of Ferry. These areas are excellent for spotting interesting small creatures among the sponges and colourful corals.

The deeper sites, such as the Gustavia wreck or the offshore reefs of Cor’s and Chantal’s reef, host a more intact variety of marine life due to their distance from the coastline.

Diving is possible year-round, though the centre is closed annually from 6 June to 3 October. The water remains at a consistent temperature throughout the year.

Most sites are very close to the shore, with many accessible within a 2 to 6-minute boat ride, allowing for minimal transit time and maximum bottom time.