Current Time in America/Guadeloupe Time Zone
IANA Name: America/Guadeloupe
Standard Offset: UTC −04:00
Daylight Saving: No
Currently Observing DST: No ❌
America/Guadeloupe: The Caribbean Time Zone Without Daylight Saving
America/Guadeloupe is the IANA time zone identifier for the French overseas region of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. It observes Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round, with a fixed offset of UTC-04:00 and no daylight saving time. This zone covers the main island of Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre) as well as its dependencies: Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade, and the uninhabited islands of Petite Terre.
Where and Who Uses America/Guadeloupe
America/Guadeloupe applies exclusively to the French overseas department and region of Guadeloupe, an archipelago in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of several Caribbean zones with a UTC-04:00 offset. Neighboring islands such as Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Lucia also use UTC-04:00, but they follow different IANA zones (America/Dominica, America/Martinique, America/St_Lucia). Guadeloupe is the only territory assigned to America/Guadeloupe.
Offset and Abbreviation
The standard offset is UTC-04:00, commonly referred to as Atlantic Standard Time (AST). The abbreviation AST is used throughout the year. In maritime contexts, it is also known as Quebec Time (Q). The offset is four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For example, when it is 12:00 UTC, it is 08:00 in Guadeloupe.
No Daylight Saving Time
Guadeloupe does not observe daylight saving time. The offset remains constant at UTC-04:00 all year. This is common among Caribbean islands near the equator, where the length of daylight varies little. The decision to forgo DST simplifies scheduling for residents and businesses, as there are no semi-annual clock changes.
Main Cities and Practical Guidance
The largest city is Les Abymes, followed by Baie-Mahault, Le Gosier, and the capital Basse-Terre. The economy relies on tourism, agriculture (bananas, sugar cane), and light manufacturing. For business calls, Guadeloupe is in the same time zone as most of the Eastern Caribbean (e.g., Barbados, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago). It is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) during winter (UTC-05:00) and the same as Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during summer (UTC-04:00). For example, a 10:00 AM meeting in Guadeloupe corresponds to 9:00 AM in New York during EST (winter) and 10:00 AM during EDT (summer). It is four hours behind UTC, so coordination with Europe is common: 9:00 AM in Guadeloupe is 1:00 PM in London (UTC+0) or 2:00 PM in Paris (UTC+1).
Other Zones at the Same Offset
Several other IANA zones share the UTC-04:00 standard offset: America/Anguilla, America/Antigua, America/Aruba, America/Barbados, America/Blanc-Sablon, America/Boa_Vista, America/Campo_Grande, America/Caracas, America/Cuiaba, America/Curacao, America/Dominica, America/Glace_Bay, and others. However, some of these zones observe daylight saving time (e.g., America/Glace_Bay in Canada), while others do not. Guadeloupe is among the non-DST zones, making its time constant year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Guadeloupe change its clocks for daylight saving time?
No, Guadeloupe does not observe daylight saving time. The offset remains UTC-04:00 (AST) all year.
What is the time difference between Guadeloupe and New York?
During Eastern Standard Time (winter), Guadeloupe is 1 hour ahead of New York. During Eastern Daylight Time (summer), they are the same time.
Is America/Guadeloupe the same as America/Puerto_Rico?
No, America/Puerto_Rico also uses UTC-04:00 without DST, but it is a separate IANA zone. Both observe the same offset and do not change clocks.
What is the current abbreviation for time in Guadeloupe?
The abbreviation is AST (Atlantic Standard Time) year-round.
Which countries share the same time zone as Guadeloupe?
Many Caribbean islands share UTC-04:00, including Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. However, some may use different IANA zone names.
Why doesn't Guadeloupe use daylight saving time?
Being near the equator, the variation in daylight hours is minimal, making DST unnecessary. Additionally, many Caribbean territories have chosen not to adopt DST.