Weather in Devil's Island

Devil's Island (Île du Diable) is the smallest and most notorious of French Guiana's Îles du Salut, a former penal colony best known as the site of Alfred Dreyfus's imprisonment and immortalised in the film Papillon. Today the islands are reached by boat from the mainland and explored on foot, their crumbling cell blocks and warders' houses now overgrown with palms and patrolled by agoutis and macaws rather than guards. The crossing itself, through waters once considered too dangerous for escape, adds to the atmosphere.

Best areas to stay in Devil's Island

Île Royale

The largest island and main visitor hub, with the best-preserved buildings, a small museum, and accommodation options.

Île Saint-Joseph

Home to the most notorious solitary confinement cells, now eerily overgrown with jungle.

Île du Diable (Devil's Island)

The smallest island, viewed from the water due to landing restrictions, famous for Alfred Dreyfus's imprisonment.

Kourou

The mainland departure point for boats to the islands, also known as the site of the Guiana Space Centre.

Getting to Devil's Island

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Flights

Fly to Cayenne (CAY) via Paris, then travel by road to Kourou (around 1 hour) for the boat crossing to the islands.

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From London

~16–20 hours total from London including connections via Paris

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Getting around

Boats from Kourou serve the islands; once there, the islands are explored on foot via short jungle paths.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Îles du Salut?

The dry season (roughly July to December) offers calmer seas for the boat crossing and more comfortable conditions for walking around the islands.

How do I get to the Îles du Salut?

Boats depart from Kourou on the French Guiana mainland, with the crossing taking around 45 minutes to an hour depending on conditions.

Can you actually land on Devil's Island itself?

Landing on Île du Diable itself is typically restricted due to strong currents and its small size; most visits focus on the larger Île Royale and Île Saint-Joseph, with views across to Devil's Island.

What's there to see on the islands?

Ruins of the penal colony buildings, including cell blocks, a chapel, and warders' quarters, now surrounded by coconut palms and wildlife including macaws and agoutis.

What language is spoken?

French is the official language, as French Guiana is an overseas department of France; English is limited outside tour operators.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

An incredibly atmospheric place — walking through the overgrown ruins on Saint-Joseph with macaws screeching overhead felt like something out of a film.

Pierre L. · September 2023

★★★★☆

The boat crossing was rougher than expected but the history here, especially the Dreyfus connection, made it well worth it.

Anne-Marie B. · August 2024

★★★★☆

Combined this with a visit to the space centre at Kourou — a strange but memorable juxtaposition of histories on the same stretch of coast.

Olivier T. · November 2023