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French Guiana🇬🇫 | landmarksÎles du SalutRuined cell blocks, Devil’s Island view, Royale guesthouse, agoutis and macaws | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Îles du Salut
🏆 Top pickunique site ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Only two of the three islands can be visited, and you can sleep on one of them: Île Royale has a small guesthouse and hammock lodging, so you can still be there after the last day boat leaves. Îles du Salut lies in the Atlantic off the north coast of French Guiana, northeast of Kourou. The wow-factor is real. Ruined cell blocks sit under coconut palms, agoutis cross the paths, and scarlet macaws squawk overhead. Black-and-white photos of the penal colony are everywhere, but the actual place is green, salty and loud with surf. Crowds stay thin outside school holidays, though the boat crossing can be rough and queasy, and the island is pricey for what you get, with food and rooms costing more than on the mainland. Swimming is limited because of currents, and the beaches are not a Caribbean fantasy. A first day could go like this: land at the jetty, walk the ridge road past the hospital and chapel, eat lunch at the restaurant, then wander to the lookout over Devil’s Island as the afternoon heat settles.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 unique site in French GuianaThe unique appeal for travelers

Îles du Salut gives you one of the strangest history lessons in South America, and the effort to reach it is small. A boat from the mainland coast brings you to an island where the prison buildings are left half-swallowed by roots, so you read the past by walking through it. Few places make a penal colony feel this physical. You can stand in a solitary-confinement cell, then step outside to a breeze full of salt and bird noise. Staying overnight on Île Royale is the move that separates this from a rushed excursion, because after the day groups leave you get quiet paths, monkeys and macaws, and a sky without much light pollution. Looking across the strait at Devil’s Island, where Alfred Dreyfus was held, adds a layer for anyone who knows the story. The islands also fit neatly into a French … read more 👉
Îles du Salut gives you one of the strangest history lessons in South America, and the effort to reach it is small. A boat from the mainland coast brings you to an island where the prison buildings are left half-swallowed by roots, so you read the past by walking through it. Few places make a penal colony feel this physical. You can stand in a solitary-confinement cell, then step outside to a breeze full of salt and bird noise. Staying overnight on Île Royale is the move that separates this from a rushed excursion, because after the day groups leave you get quiet paths, monkeys and macaws, and a sky without much light pollution. Looking across the strait at Devil’s Island, where Alfred Dreyfus was held, adds a layer for anyone who knows the story. The islands also fit neatly into a French Guiana loop with the Kourou space center and the Amazonian interior, giving you ocean after jungle and rockets.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Devil’s Island viewpoint: The best-known name in the group is off limits to landing, but you can look at it from Île Royale’s palm-lined shore. Dreyfus was confined there, and the wave-beaten rocks make the isolation easy to understand.
  2. Île Royale penal buildings: The administrative area, guard quarters and cell blocks are scattered along the main island. Walls are cracked, roofs are gone in places, and fig roots grip the stone.
  3. Solitary confinement cells: Narrow, dark and low-ceilinged, these cells are the most uncomfortable and memorable stop on the island. Look for the scratches and graffiti left by prisoners.
  4. Île Royale chapel: The small church still has painted murals made by a prisoner. It is a quiet spot, and the contrast between sacred decoration and prison life stays with you.
  5. Île Royale
… read more 👉
  1. Devil’s Island viewpoint: The best-known name in the group is off limits to landing, but you can look at it from Île Royale’s palm-lined shore. Dreyfus was confined there, and the wave-beaten rocks make the isolation easy to understand.
  2. Île Royale penal buildings: The administrative area, guard quarters and cell blocks are scattered along the main island. Walls are cracked, roofs are gone in places, and fig roots grip the stone.
  3. Solitary confinement cells: Narrow, dark and low-ceilinged, these cells are the most uncomfortable and memorable stop on the island. Look for the scratches and graffiti left by prisoners.
  4. Île Royale chapel: The small church still has painted murals made by a prisoner. It is a quiet spot, and the contrast between sacred decoration and prison life stays with you.
  5. Île Royale hospital and ruins: The former hospital sits above the shore and shows how medical care was organized in the colony. Ruins here are the best for atmospheric photos in late-day light.
  6. Île Saint-Joseph: Reached by a short extra boat trip in many tours, this quieter island holds the old solitary cells in a jungle-covered setting. Fewer people come, so the silence is stronger.
  7. Wildlife along the paths: Agoutis, capuchin monkeys and macaws live around Île Royale, and you often see them near the guesthouse and walkways. Bring patience and a zoom lens.
  8. Island coastal loop: A walk around Île Royale shows both the sheltered side and the surf side, with views over rocks and open ocean. Allow a couple of hours and wear shoes with grip.
If time is short, skip the Île Royale coastal loop and spend it in the cells and chapel.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (August to November): Îles du Salut is at its most comfortable, with little rain, calmer seas for the crossing from Kourou, and daytime highs of 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F). Weekends and school holidays fill the day boats and the island’s few rooms.
  • Short Dry Spell (late February to March): A brief break in the rains brings sunnier days and similar temperatures, with thinner crowds than the long dry season.
  • Rainy Season (December to July): Expect heavy downpours, especially April to June, with 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F) and humid air. Swells can make the crossing rough and occasionally cancel sailings, though the palms and the ruined prison blocks look their greenest.
  • Daylight and Prices: Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year, so timing hardly changes your schedule. Boat fares and rooms
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (August to November): Îles du Salut is at its most comfortable, with little rain, calmer seas for the crossing from Kourou, and daytime highs of 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F). Weekends and school holidays fill the day boats and the island’s few rooms.
  • Short Dry Spell (late February to March): A brief break in the rains brings sunnier days and similar temperatures, with thinner crowds than the long dry season.
  • Rainy Season (December to July): Expect heavy downpours, especially April to June, with 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F) and humid air. Swells can make the crossing rough and occasionally cancel sailings, though the palms and the ruined prison blocks look their greenest.
  • Daylight and Prices: Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year, so timing hardly changes your schedule. Boat fares and rooms barely move with the seasons, but beds sell out on dry-season weekends.
Book a room on Île Royale at least two weeks ahead if you want to arrive between August and November.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
french-guiana-unique-site-iles-du-salut
© Google | Julien Vandanjon (non Peut-Être)

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The best base for backpackers is Kourou, the mainland town where the boats to Îles du Salut leave, with the alternative of sleeping on Île Royale itself. Kourou sits on the coast about an hour by road from Cayenne, and it is the practical choice because the departure dock, supermarkets, snack stands and the space center tours are all here. The area around the town center and the seafront has the greatest concentration of budget guesthouses, small apartments and the odd hostel-style stay, and you can walk to restaurants in the evening. Solo travelers usually meet others at the dock in the morning … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers is Kourou, the mainland town where the boats to Îles du Salut leave, with the alternative of sleeping on Île Royale itself. Kourou sits on the coast about an hour by road from Cayenne, and it is the practical choice because the departure dock, supermarkets, snack stands and the space center tours are all here. The area around the town center and the seafront has the greatest concentration of budget guesthouses, small apartments and the odd hostel-style stay, and you can walk to restaurants in the evening. Solo travelers usually meet others at the dock in the morning or on the Centre Spatial tour, since the scene is quiet rather than a party strip. Stay central rather than out near the Pariacabo or industrial edges, where nights are dead and walking is less pleasant after dark.
On Île Royale, the former guards’ quarters now hold a small inn and a limited number of basic rooms. Sleeping there lets you have the island once the day boats leave, with agoutis, macaws and monkeys wandering past the old hospital and the sea crashing below. Hammock space is sometimes available for those who bring their own gear, so ask when booking. Facilities are simple, meals are limited, and you should carry cash and snacks. Cayenne has more nightlife and cheaper hostels but adds a long morning transfer, so it only suits those continuing around the country.
Best hostels in French Guiana


Best quality hotels in French Guiana

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Expect a daily budget of about €125 for Îles du Salut if you take the boat from Kourou and sleep on Île Royale in high season. Prices in French Guiana run well above those in neighboring countries, because most goods are imported and paid in euros.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat crossing€45 to 60 returnDeparts Kourou, about 1 hour each way, and sells out on weekends
Accommodation (high season)€40 to 60Basic room or hammock space on Île Royale, with Kourou guesthouses a little cheaper
Accommodation (low season)€30 to 50Easier to find a bed, little discounting on the islands
Food€20 to 30Simple set meals at the island restaurant, or sandwiches and fruit brought from Kourou
Local transport€5 to 10Taxis within Kourou are costly, so walk or get a lift to the dock
Activities€0 to 5Walking the islands
… read more 👉
Expect a daily budget of about €125 for Îles du Salut if you take the boat from Kourou and sleep on Île Royale in high season. Prices in French Guiana run well above those in neighboring countries, because most goods are imported and paid in euros.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat crossing€45 to 60 returnDeparts Kourou, about 1 hour each way, and sells out on weekends
Accommodation (high season)€40 to 60Basic room or hammock space on Île Royale, with Kourou guesthouses a little cheaper
Accommodation (low season)€30 to 50Easier to find a bed, little discounting on the islands
Food€20 to 30Simple set meals at the island restaurant, or sandwiches and fruit brought from Kourou
Local transport€5 to 10Taxis within Kourou are costly, so walk or get a lift to the dock
Activities€0 to 5Walking the islands is free, and any guided visit of the prison buildings costs a few euros
Water and extras€3 to 6Bottled water is pricey on the islands, so bring a refillable bottle
Total Daily Budget€113 to 171About €125 is realistic for a modest overnight stay


source: guyane-amazonie.fr
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Îles du Salut is a group of three small islands off the coast of French Guiana, made up of Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph and Île du Diable. They served as part of the French penal colony system, and Devil’s Island held famous prisoners like Alfred Dreyfus. Today the old cells, hospital and chapel sit among coconut palms, and wildlife such as agoutis, capuchin monkeys and macaws roams freely.
Plan one full day at minimum for Îles du Salut, and an overnight stay is better. A day trip leaves about 1 to 2 hours on Île Royale and a walk around its loop takes roughly 1.5 hours. Staying a night on Île Royale gives you quiet evenings and time to add Île Saint-Joseph, which is a short boat hop and costs a few extra euros.
Boats to Îles du Salut leave from the dock at Kourou, which lies about 60 km (1 hour by road) west of Cayenne. The crossing takes roughly 1 hour and costs about €45 to 60 return, with sailings on most days that are fewer in rough weather. From Cayenne, you can take a shared taxi or rental car to Kourou, and booking the boat ahead is wise on weekends.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other French Guianese landmarks near Îles du Salut

Explore more nearby:

  • Monts Galbao—Saül trailhead, rocky summit clearing, hammock bivouac, dawn canopy mist| 204 km away
  • Rivière Inini—Tannin-dark creek, Lawa pirogue, Maripasoula departure, night caiman eyes| 235 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Îles du Salut works best as an overnight, not a rushed day trip. One night gives you the quiet hours after the boats leave, and a second only makes sense if you want to swim, read and do nothing. I would bring insect repellent, a hat and cash for meals.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in French Guiana. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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