Lying to the east of Basse-Terre, Marie-Galante is named after one of the ships (Santa Maria Galanda) of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island in 1493. It is a charming spot where the inhabitants still work primarily in the sugar cane industry; well off the main tourist trail, visitors can relax on its superb beaches and swim in waters which are ideal for diving, especially around Saint-Louis and Grand-Bourg.