A Visit to the Thriving Surf Culture of Butterfly Island | The Inertia

Photographer

Community

$The notion that you can simply drive directly to the break without the hassle of parking meters, finding a space, or crowds seemed almost magical. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

The notion that you can simply drive directly to the break without the hassle of parking meters, finding a space, or crowds seemed almost magical. Photo: Justin Jay

$...Just moments later I saw a local get this fun little blue barrel as the lineup emptied out for lunch. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

...Just moments later I saw a local get this fun little blue barrel as the lineup emptied out for lunch. Photo: Justin Jay

$Of course no French tourist destination would be complete without at least one overly-bronzed Frenchman sun bathing in inappropriately skimpy attire. Luckily the surfers were more enlightened in their apparel choices and wore traditional board shorts. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

Of course no French tourist destination would be complete without at least one overly-bronzed Frenchman sun bathing in inappropriately skimpy attire. Luckily the surfers were more enlightened in their apparel choices and wore traditional board shorts. Photo: Justin Jay

$This surf spot gave new meaning to the term “step-offs”. The break is right in front of tiered concrete steps that lead directly down to the water’s edge, creating a public amphitheater for watching the action and affording ridiculously easy access for paddling out. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

This surf spot gave new meaning to the term “step-offs”. The break is right in front of tiered concrete steps that lead directly down to the water’s edge, creating a public amphitheater for watching the action and affording ridiculously easy access for paddling out. Photo: Justin Jay

$After a 2 hour surf session, is there any sight more delicious than charcoal-roasted chicken sold by street vendors? We soon found out that this friendly gentleman’s chicken thighs also come with an obligatory side of multiple shots of rum with cane-juice chasers. Needless to say, we didn’t make it for a second surf session. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

After a 2 hour surf session, is there any sight more delicious than charcoal-roasted chicken sold by street vendors? We soon found out that this friendly gentleman’s chicken thighs also come with an obligatory side of multiple shots of rum with cane-juice chasers. Needless to say, we didn’t make it for a second surf session. Photo: Justin Jay

$We stumbled upon a Rip Curl Grom-Search contest while we were in Guadeloupe. While the kids battled each other on the inside trying to impress the judges and potential sponsors with mini-airs, this girl on a knee-board kept snagging amazing lefts at the empty reef. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

We stumbled upon a Rip Curl Grom-Search contest while we were in Guadeloupe. While the kids battled each other on the inside trying to impress the judges and potential sponsors with mini-airs, this girl on a knee-board kept snagging amazing lefts at the empty reef. Photo: Justin Jay

$With the memory of a long, freezing winter in NYC still fresh in my mind, simply the thought of surfing in a 1mm top was enough to make this a blissful moment. But the fun lefts, the sunset, the island breeze and the cold beers took it to a whole new level. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

With the memory of a long, freezing winter in NYC still fresh in my mind, simply the thought of surfing in a 1mm top was enough to make this a blissful moment. But the fun lefts, the sunset, the island breeze and the cold beers took it to a whole new level. Photo: Justin Jay

$One of my favorite parts of any trip is arriving to a new destination at night. You have no idea what your surroundings look like. You’re exhausted. Your’e jet-lagged. Then after a deep sleep, you wake up at first light and have that magical moment where it’s revealed where you actually are. This was the view from the foot of my bed. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

One of my favorite parts of any trip is arriving to a new destination at night. You have no idea what your surroundings look like. You’re exhausted. Your’e jet-lagged. Then after a deep sleep, you wake up at first light and have that magical moment where it’s revealed where you actually are. This was the view from the foot of my bed. Photo: Justin Jay

$With the breaks in Guadeloupe relatively uncrowded, virtually no Americans there, and a fairly welcoming tight-knit local surf community, this was basically the only stink eye that I experienced on the the entire trip. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

With the breaks in Guadeloupe relatively uncrowded, virtually no Americans there, and a fairly welcoming tight-knit local surf community, this was basically the only stink eye that I experienced on the the entire trip. Photo: Justin Jay

$In case there was any confusion as to where exactly the nearest surf break was located, this sign cleared it up in no uncertain terms. Not exactly a secret spot, but still uncrowded nonetheless. Go figure… Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

In case there was any confusion as to where exactly the nearest surf break was located, this sign cleared it up in no uncertain terms. Not exactly a secret spot, but still uncrowded nonetheless. Go figure… Photo: Justin Jay

$As I sat on the beach checking out this spot, I saw this man casually paddle into 5 waves in a row in about 10 minutes. It was billed as a soft, slow longboard wave. But it was uncrowded, consistent, and had some head high sets. Looked super fun. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

As I sat on the beach checking out this spot, I saw this man casually paddle into 5 waves in a row in about 10 minutes. It was billed as a soft, slow longboard wave. But it was uncrowded, consistent, and had some head high sets. Looked super fun. Photo: Justin Jay

$The afternoons can get pretty hot, so a refreshing shaved ice, flavored with fresh sugar-cane juice is a solid way to cool off. Of course a shot of local rum is also an available option with every purchase. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.justinjay.com\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jay</a>$

The afternoons can get pretty hot, so a refreshing shaved ice, flavored with fresh sugar-cane juice is a solid way to cool off. Of course a shot of local rum is also an available option with every purchase. Photo: Justin Jay

Recently a friend of mine invited me to go with him on a surf trip to Guadeloupe.

“Do you know where it is?” he asked.

“Mexico?” I replied.

My friend laughed and smiled at my common, yet completely incorrect response.

Guadeloupe is a French territory in the southern Caribbean, sometimes referred to as the Butterfly Island. The water is warm, the waves are fun, and the people are surprisingly friendly. Guadeloupe already has a relatively developed surf scene, but it is comprised almost entirely of locals and Europeans. Right now, it’s completely off the radar to most American surfers – but that is all about to change. The government is actively courting American surf tourism.

I had a chance to travel and surf in Guadeloupe this season. It’s probably one of the closest and most accessible surf destinations from the East Coast that you’ve never heard of. Here are a few shots from the trip.

If you are in NYC this weekend, check out Surf Gwada! presented by Guadeloupe Islands at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club on Saturday August 22nd. These photos and others will be on display. Free planters punch at 7pm!

Contribute

Join our community of contributors.

Apply