Route du Rhum 2026 in Guadeloupe: watch the fleet pass by from the Côte-sous-le-Vent
13th EDITION — STARTING ON 1 NOVEMBER 2026
before the start from Saint-Malo
A transatlantic race that must circumnavigate Basse-Terre
Since its inception in 1978, the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe has linked Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre every four years, as a solo, non-stop and unassisted race. The fleet approaches the archipelago from the north, then sails round the island along its west coast before heading up towards the capital. This is the Leeward Coast, home to Pointe-Noire, where the Caféière Beauséjour is situated, the heart of the Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, documented in a notarial deed dating back to 1780.
Perched 300 metres above sea level on Gros Morne, our estate overlooks this race course. From the infinity pool, the horizon opens up to a 180° view of the Caribbean Sea, unobstructed by a single building.
The mandatory rounding route, mark by mark
The direct route would be to head for the south-eastern tip of Guadeloupe. The rules dictate otherwise: competitors must leave la Tête à l’Anglais, north-west of Basse-Terre, on the port side, then the buoy off Basse-Terre on the starboard side. Between these two marks, there is only one route: the entire Leeward Coast, from north to south, downwind of the Soufrière massif (1,467 m), where the breeze dies down and where several editions of the race have been decided.
Circumnavigating Guadeloupe at the finish of the Route du Rhum. Actual contours of the archipelago, indicative race route: competitors sail freely between the marks and may pass at widely varying distances from the coast, both by day and by night. Non-contractual document.
1. Tête à l’Anglais, to be left to port
3. Basse-Terre buoy, to be left to starboard
2. Down the Leeward Coast, off Pointe-Noire
4. Canal des Saintes, then up towards Pointe-à-Pitre
An observation post 300 metres above the race course
Pointe-Noire is situated halfway between the two course marks. Anything heading towards the Basse-Terre buoy comes into our field of vision. It’s the difference between spotting a sail from a beach and watching a boat approach for an hour.
High-speed Wi-Fi covers the entire estate: you can follow the official race map from your terrace and know exactly when to look up. We lend out binoculars. And when the festivities are in full swing in Pointe-à-Pitre, the ACTe Memorial is less than an hour’s drive away.
The race:
Edition : 13th Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe
Start village: Saint-Malo, from Tuesday 20 October 2026
Grand departure: Sunday 1 November 2026 at 1.02 pm, off the coast of Pointe du Grouin
Distance: 3,542 nautical miles, or approximately 6,560 km
Announced line-up: 117 skippers, plus a few wild cards
First arrivals: from mid-November for the Ultims, then over the following days depending on the weather
Finish line: off the coast of Pointe-à-Pitre, in the Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin bay
Finish villages: Mémorial ACTe, Bas-du-Fort Marina and Basse-Terre — the 2026 programme has not yet been published
Where to watch the finish:
Mémorial ACTe — the main village, in Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe de la Verdure — in Le Gosier, facing the finish line
Twon of Basse-Terre — in front of the final race mark
Bas-du-Fort Marina — pontoons on the Le Gosier side
Côte-sous-le-Vent — from Deshaies to Bouillante, the descent
From the sea — at least 150 m from a competitor during the race
Our accommodation for the 2026 Route du Rhum
Two guest rooms and three 5★ eco-lodges, set within a one-and-a-half-hectare coffee plantation in Pointe-Noire. With just five accommodation options, and a window of availability that sees demand concentrated over around fifteen days, bookings for this period fill up early.
La Villa Caféière Beauséjour
An 80 m² 5-star listed Creole villa, featuring two master suites, an open-plan kitchen, a 40 m² deck and a private saltwater swimming pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Accommodates up to 4 adults.
From €336 per night
Lowest rates of the year. Prices during the Route du Rhum period are higher
The Gerty Archimède Guest Room
An intimate 20 m² room with a private terrace opening onto the garden and a sea view through louvred shutters. Furniture made from teak sourced from sustainably forests. Breakfast included.
From €157 per night
Lowest rates of the year. Prices are higher during the Route du Rhum period
The Table d’Hôtes
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, for groups of four or more, reserved for guests of the estate. Seasonal Creole cuisine, produce from the garden and eggs from our hens.
By reservation
Set menu at €45 incl. VAT per person: rum aperitif*, main course, dessert, wine* or non-alcoholic drink.
Good to know:
Estate rated 5 stars by Atout France, adults only, eco-certified by Clef Verte and Esprit Parc National. Tripadvisor ‘Best of the Best’ winner. Online booking only. A car is essential on the Côte-sous-le-Vent.
Terms and conditions:
WHAT IS THE ROUTE DU RHUM? — The history of the most legendary of transatlantic races
The Route du Rhum was founded in 1978 based on an idea by Michel Etevenon: a solo transatlantic race open to all boats, with no size restrictions, where the first to finish wins. The concept is incredibly simple — a man or a woman, a boat, the ocean — and it is this simplicity that has made it legendary. The route follows the path of the first ships carried by the trade winds, the very same route taken by merchant ships heading for the West Indies.
The very first edition immediately wrote the finest chapter in its history: Mike Birch finished just 98 seconds ahead of Michel Malinovski, after more than twenty days at sea. In 1990, Florence Arthaud became the first woman to win the race. In 2022, Charles Caudrelier set the race record. Each edition adds its own chapter, and Guadeloupe is always the final act.
For the finish has never been a mere formality. Rounding the island along the leeward coast is the stretch where leads melt away. In 2018, François Gabart approached Guadeloupe with a lead of nearly twenty-two miles over Francis Joyon; he chose to steer clear of the coast, got stuck in the calm and was pipped at the post, just a stone’s throw from the finish line. It is this uncertainty, right on our doorstep, that makes the finish in Guadeloupe a spectacle like no other.
Frequently asked questions about the Route du Rhum in Guadeloupe
Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe” is a registered trademark; the race is organised by OC Sport Pen Duick. The Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour is neither a partner, nor a sponsor, nor an official service provider for the event, and is in no way affiliated with its organiser. This page is published for information purposes only. The dates, times and routes indicated are subject to change: only the information published on routedurhum.com is authoritative.
