Soufrière Full Moon Guadeloupe | Night Hike with Yvan
There are experiences that you can't find anywhere else in the Caribbean. Climbing La Soufrière under the full moon is one of them.
Once a month, when the moon is full, Yvan opens the volcano's gates at dusk. You ascend in the golden afternoon light, watch the sun disappear behind the horizon from the 1,467-meter summit, and descend at night, headlamp in hand, beneath a moonlit sky of islands above the Caribbean Sea. This isn't a hike. It's an experience you won't find anywhere else.
Duration : 5 to 6 hours
Distance : 6 km
Elevation gain : approximately 500m
Difficulty level : difficult, people
In a collective group
Price : €70/adult
A deposit of €20 per person is required upon booking; the balance is payable in cash on the day of the hike.
Minimum age: 18 years
Experience the nighttime ascent of the Soufrière volcano in Guadeloupe
The hike begins at 3 p.m. from the Bains Jaunes parking lot in Saint-Claude . The ascent follows the classic Chemin des Dames route, the one Yvan knows like the back of his hand. We climb in the still-gentle warmth of the afternoon, surrounded by dense rainforest, vines and tall trees filtering the light.
Around 5 p.m., the group arrives at the summit. This is where the magic truly begins. Equipped with the respiratory protection mask provided by Yvan, you enter the active zone of the volcano — fumaroles, sulfurous vapors, still-active craters — in a light that changes from minute to minute as the sun descends.
Then comes the sunset from the summit at 1,467 meters . The Caribbean sky takes on colors seen nowhere else. The distant islands—Les Saintes, Dominica—stand out against the deep blue, bathed in the last rays of sunlight. And when night falls, the full moon takes over. Its reflections on the sea from the volcano's summit: that's why we're here.
The descent takes place at night , with headlamps provided by Yvan. The volcano in darkness, the fumaroles glowing in the black, the forest rustling around the beam of light… The return to the Bains Jaunes parking lot is scheduled for around 9 p.m.
Who is this hike for?
The Soufrière Pleine Lune hike is classified as difficult . It's not an outing for beginners—and Yvan makes that clear. This hike requires a good level of fitness, hiking experience, and the ability to manage 6 hours of exertion, including some nighttime hiking.
Minimum age: 18 years. The specific nature of this outing — the tight timing for the ascent, the descent at night, the conditions in an active zone — requires a maturity and physical autonomy that only an adult can guarantee.
For whom it is made:
Experienced hikers who have already climbed La Soufrière during the day and want to experience something even more intense
Lovers of rare sensations, exceptional light, and extraordinary moments
Travelers seeking the most unique nature experience that Guadeloupe has to offer
Those who want to bring back a story that can't be found in any classic tourist guide
For whom this is not suitable:
Hiking beginners
People who have never climbed Soufrière during the day
Children under 18
Those who suffer from vertigo or have difficulty navigating uneven terrain at night
What you need to bring
The existing equipment list is good — a few important details for the night version:
Mandatory :
🎒 A backpack to keep your hands free
💦 1.5 liters of water minimum per person
🥾 Hiking boots with good grip — not lightweight sneakers for this outing, the terrain is more technical at night
🧥 Warm jacket — at the summit after nightfall, it can get cold even in Guadeloupe
🍫 Snack — you have 6 hours of effort ahead of you
🔦 The headlamp is provided by Yvan — you don't need to bring anything
Recommended:
👕 Spare clothes to leave in the car
🩴 Flip-flops for later — your feet will thank you
You might also like
One adventure not enough? Discover other unique experiences with Yvan in Guadeloupe:
🌋 Soufrière Day Hike — The classic ascent of the volcano with access to the active zone. The daytime version, ideal for beginners.
✈️ The trail of the plane wreck — The secret paths of Soufrière to the remains of a plane that crashed in the rainforest. A hike that no one else offers.
🏕️ Rainforest bivouac — Spend the night immersed in Guadeloupean nature. A different way to experience Guadeloupe at night with Yvan.
💦 Carbet Falls — For a cooler and equally beautiful day after your night on the volcano.