Kap Natirel, our partner for responsible tourism in Guadeloupe
Sea turtles, sharks, rays: since 2004, the Guadeloupe-based association Kap Natirel has been studying and protecting marine species in the French West Indies. La Caféière Beauséjour, at the heart of the Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, now supports the association through two simple, transparent mechanisms, the details of which are published annually.
Kap Natirel – who are they?
Kap Natirel (Karaïbe Asosiasion pou Proteksion a la Nati) is a non-profit organisation under the 1901 Act based in Vieux-Fort, in the south of Basse-Terre. It was founded in 2004 to coordinate the Guadeloupe Sea Turtle Network, as part of the national plan for the restoration of sea turtles in the French Antilles. Its scope of action subsequently expanded to include the conservation of the marine environment: turtles, sharks, rays and lionfish, an invasive species in the Caribbean.
2004
Establishment of the organisation and coordination of the Guadeloupe Sea Turtle Network (RTMG) until 2009
2013
Establishment & coordination of the French Antilles Shark Network (REGUAR)
August 2020
Recognition and accreditation of Kap Natirel as an environmental protection organisation
+40
Species of sharks and rays identified in the French Antilles and recorded by the REGUAR network
+5000 observers
Who are participating or have participated in the citizen science programme,
+10,000 observations of rays and sharks recorded
Since 2013, Kap Natirel has been coordinating the French West Indies Shark Network (REGUAR), a citizen science programme: fishermen, divers, kayakers and surfers report their sightings, enabling the distribution of species to be mapped. Through the INA Scuba programme, diving clubs monitor the frequency of sightings of sharks, rays and sea turtles. The organisation also engages with schoolchildren and the general public.
Why we chose Kap Natirel
We were looking for organisations in Guadeloupe that are active on the ground, whose work can be verified by our guests. An organisation founded in 2004, accredited as an ‘environmental protection organisation’ since August 2020 and coordinator of the French West Indies Shark Network, fits exactly what we wanted to be able to present to you honestly.
Protect, learn, share: what brings us together
Kap Natirel’s motto also sums up our approach to ecotourism in Guadeloupe. On our own small scale as a family-run guesthouse with five accomodations, this is where our commitments align with theirs.
Protect
KAP NATIREL
Minimising threats to marine species and their habitats. Among those cited by the association in relation to turtles are: sewage discharge, eutrophication of feeding grounds, bycatch and poaching, as well as disturbance.
HABITATION CAFÉIÈRE BEAUSÉJOUR
Treatment of our wastewater using small-scale treatment plants, a dual rainwater drainage system, and garden maintenance without any pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
Learn
KAP NATIREL
Monitoring turtle nesting, censusing sharks and rays, and conducting diving surveys with clubs: by combining these programmes—which are open to the public—with scientific research, the association helps to improve our understanding of the interactions between marine species and human activities
HABITATION CAFÉIÈRE BEAUSÉJOUR
A third-party-audited approach: Clef Verte certification since 2022 and Esprit Parc National certification since 2023, both subject to on-site audits.
Share
KAP NATIREL
To inform, educate and raise awareness amongst sea users, divers, fishermen, the general public, schoolchildren and elected representatives.
HABITATION CAFÉIÈRE BEAUSÉJOUR
Explaining our choices to our guests and sharing Kap Natirel’s best practices with them before they head out to sea along the Leeward Coast or into the archipelago.
Two practical schemes
From November 2026, two schemes will provide funding to support environmental organisations in Guadeloupe. They are deliberately separate: in the first, Caféière Beauséjour makes the donation; in the second, you do.
Voluntary donation at the time of booking
When finalising your booking, you can add a donation, which is entirely optional. It appears on a separate line from the cost of your stay. We act solely as a collector: the donation is passed on in full, with no fees or commission.
Would you like a tax receipt? Please let us know when you make your donation: we will pass on the necessary details (name, postal address, email) to Kap Natirel. You can also donate directly to the organisation via its HelloAsso page.
"Daytime Air Conditioning" option
Our accommodation is designed for natural ventilation, in Creole-style buildings oriented to catch the trade winds. The air conditioning runs from 7.30 pm to 7.30 am. If you wish to use it during the day, rather than prohibiting its use, we offer an option at a deliberately high price.
50 % of this option, i.e. €5 per day charged, is donated as corporate sponsorship to the environmental organisations we support, including Kap Natirel.
Transparency: the amounts published each year
We are committed to publishing, on this page each year, the amounts collected and donated for each of the two schemes. For its part, Kap Natirel provides us, at least once a year, with a report on the initiatives carried out thanks to this support.
Should other environmental organisations in Guadeloupe join the scheme, the allocation formula will be published here.
Saison | Option climatisation : jours facturés | Mécénat versé | Dons des hôtes reversés |
|---|---|---|---|
2026 | published at the end of the season | ... | ... |
At sea: Kap Natirel’s guidelines
You may come across a turtle whilst snorkelling or diving. Sea turtles are fully protected in France: disturbing, capturing or touching them is prohibited. Here are the organisation’s recommendations.
In the water
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Keep a distance of around 5 metres.
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Stay on the surface; do not hold your breath.
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Swim gently, without any sudden movements.
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Do not touch the animal.
On a nesting beach
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Switch off any artificial light.
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Leave the area in front of the turtle clear.
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Stay about 10 metres behind it.
Shark or ray sighting?
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Your observation is useful to science, even if it seems ordinary.
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Report it to the REGUAR network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there sharks in Guadeloupe?
Yes. The REGUAR network, coordinated by Kap Natirel, has recorded, thanks to public sightings, more than 40 species of sharks and rays in the French West Indies, over 50 per cent of which are threatened with extinction.
Which sea turtles can be seen in Guadeloupe?
The archipelago is home to five of the seven species of sea turtle found worldwide. Of these, three come to lay their eggs on Guadeloupe’s beaches. During a snorkelling trip, the two species most commonly sighted are the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle. The hawksbill turtle is classified as ‘critically endangered’ by the IUCN.
Is a donation required when booking?
No. It is entirely voluntary, ranging from €5 to €30 in increments of €5, and is donated in full to the charity.
Why doesn’t the air conditioning work during the day?
Our accommodation is designed for natural ventilation. Air conditioning is available from 7.30 pm to 7.30 am; during the day, it can be accessed via the ‘Daytime Air Conditioning’ option at €10 per day, of which €5 is donated to the environmental organisations we support. This option does not permit unreasonable use, such as leaving it on whilst you are not in the room!
Can I get a tax receipt for my donation? (only for France)
Yes, provided you request it at the time of the donation. Kap Natirel issues the receipt based on the information we provide.
Sources
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Kap Natirel, « The charity » — kapnatirel.org/lassociation
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Kap Natirel, « REGUAR Programme » — kapnatirel.org/programme_reguar
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Kap Natirel, « INA Scuba Programme » — kapnatirel.org/programme-ina-scuba
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Kap Natirel, « Good Practices and Threats to Sea Turtles » — kapnatirel.org/bons-gestes
