Every four years, Guadeloupe lives to the rhythm of the Route du Rhum, the single-handed transatlantic race from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre. The 13th edition starts on Sunday 1 November 2026.
What fewer people know is that the boats do not head straight for the finish line: they first have to sail around Basse-Terre along the Côte-sous-le-Vent, past Deshaies, Pointe-Noire and Bouillante. It is one of the most decisive stretches of the race, and one of the best to watch from land. Here is how to make the most of it.
The 2026 Route du Rhum at a glance
- Start: Sunday 1 November 2026 at 13:02 (Paris time), from Saint-Malo;
- finish: Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe;
- distance: 3,542 nautical miles, around 6,500 km;
- entrants: 118 selected skippers, all sailing solo.
Six classes of boat on the start line
From 32-metre giants to older-generation yachts, the fleet brings together:
- Ultim (6 boats): the huge 32 m foiling trimarans, the fastest of all;
- Ocean Fifty (11): 50-foot trimarans;
- IMOCA (26): the 60-foot monohulls of the Vendée Globe;
- Class40 (49): the largest fleet;
- Rhum Multi and Rhum Mono (13 each): older multihulls and monohulls, often sailed by amateurs.
The record to beat
In 2022, Charles Caudrelier sailed from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre in 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes and 25 seconds aboard his Ultim: the race record. He will be on the start line again in 2026.
The most strategic finale: sailing around Basse-Terre
After more than 3,500 miles of Atlantic, the skippers reach Guadeloupe from the north. Instead of heading straight for Pointe-à-Pitre, they must round Basse-Terre to the west: down the Côte-sous-le-Vent, past the southern tip near Vieux-Fort, through the Saintes channel, and back up to the finish line.
Why the Côte-sous-le-Vent is such a trap
Basse-Terre is a mountainous island, crowned by La Soufrière volcano. The easterly trade winds flow over and around the mountains: behind the island, in its wind shadow, there is often no wind at all, or only a light, shifting breeze. That is what makes our coast so sheltered and calm, and so frustrating for a sailor in a hurry.
Each skipper has to choose: stay offshore to keep the wind, at the cost of a longer route, or hug the coast to cut the distance, at the risk of being becalmed. Hours of lead have been lost here, and rankings decided in these last miles.
The last miles to Pointe-à-Pitre
Once past the southern tip, the wind returns, funnelled and often strengthened by the relief. The boats beat upwind to Pointe-à-Pitre: a technical finish after a week or more of solo sailing.
When will the first boats pass?
It all depends on the weather over the Atlantic. At the pace of the 2022 record, the first Ultims would reach Guadeloupe around 8 November. The other classes follow over several days, then several weeks for the slowest boats: arrivals are spread across the whole of November.
Follow the race live
Every boat’s position can be followed in real time on the tracker of the official Route du Rhum website. It is the essential tool to know when a skipper is approaching the Côte-sous-le-Vent. Note that boats pass by day and by night.
Where to watch the boats on the Côte-sous-le-Vent
From the beaches
The beaches along the coast, from Deshaies to Malendure and the village of Bouillante, give a clear view over the Caribbean Sea. When boats hug the coast to shorten their route, they can pass close enough to be seen with the naked eye.
From higher ground
Roads and viewpoints on the hillsides let you follow a boat for several kilometres. It is often the best way to enjoy the show when a skipper is slowed down by the lack of wind.
From the sea
Boat trips are often organised during the race. Always keep your distance: the skippers are racing and must not be hindered.
Our tips so you don’t miss a thing
- bring binoculars: they make all the difference;
- check the tracker before you set off, and arrive a little early;
- take water, a hat and some patience: when the wind drops, a boat can take hours to sail along the coast, which is exactly what gives you time to admire it.
Experience the finish in Pointe-à-Pitre
During the race, a finish village is set up in the heart of Pointe-à-Pitre, near the Mémorial ACTe, with concerts, crafts and local food. Every arrival is celebrated on the pontoons, often in front of a large crowd, even in the middle of the night.
From Bouillante, allow about an hour’s drive depending on traffic: you can watch a boat sail along the Côte-sous-le-Vent, then head to Pointe-à-Pitre to see it cross the line.
Staying in Bouillante during the Route du Rhum
November is a busy month in Guadeloupe, even more so in a Route du Rhum year. If you want to follow the race from the Côte-sous-le-Vent, book early.
Our property is in Bouillante, 3 km from Malendure beach. Between two boats, you can enjoy water activities at Malendure, a morning at the Parc de la Source or an evening at the Deshaies Botanical Garden. Studio Marlin and the Kaz’Basse and Foufou bungalows welcome couples and families: see our rates and get in touch to check our availability in November.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 Route du Rhum start?
On Sunday 1 November 2026 at 13:02, Paris time, from Saint-Malo.
Where can you watch the Route du Rhum boats in Guadeloupe?
On the Côte-sous-le-Vent, which the boats sail along to round Basse-Terre (Deshaies, Pointe-Noire, Bouillante, Malendure), and at the finish in Pointe-à-Pitre.
When do the first boats arrive?
At record pace, the first Ultims would arrive around 8 November. The other classes follow throughout November, depending on the weather.
What is the Route du Rhum record?
6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes and 25 seconds, set by Charles Caudrelier in 2022.
Stay in Bouillante
Studio Marlin and the Kaz’Basse and Foufou bungalows are in Bouillante, on the Côte-sous-le-Vent, 3 km from Malendure beach and the Cousteau Reserve. Book direct with the owners: a pool, and €60 to €100 per night.
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