French Caribbean — Guadeloupe

Anchorages in Basse-Terre & West Coast

The volcanic western wing of Guadeloupe — La Soufrière (1,467m active volcano), the Cousteau Reserve (world-class diving, mooring buoys ONLY), Deshaies Bay ('Death in Paradise' setting), and the extraordinary Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin manatee reserve. Trade wind shelter from the mountain mass.

COUSTEAU RESERVE (BOUILLANTE/MALENDURE) — NO ANCHORING

The Cousteau Reserve (Réserve Cousteau) at Pigeon Island / Bouillante is one of the world's top dive sites. No anchoring under any circumstances — mooring buoys only. Contact Nautilus Club or Les Heures Saines dive operators on VHF 16 before arrival to reserve a buoy (approx. €10–20/night). Violations result in significant fines. Also: no anchoring on coral or seagrass throughout Basse-Terre waters. PPRN volcanic risk zone — La Soufrière active; follow local authority guidance on eruption alerts.

Verified Anchorages — Basse-Terre & West Coast

10 anchorages

Bouillante — Cousteau Reserve

Réserve Cousteau Bouillante · Pigeon Island moorings · Reserve Naturelle Cousteau

Good
Depth 6–20m•coral•40m alarm
↙ E↙ SE↙ S

Mooring buoys only — no anchoring

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Malendure Bay

Anse de Malendure · Plage de Malendure anchorage

Good
Depth 5–12m•sand•65m alarm
↙ E↙ SE↙ S↙ SW

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Vieux-Habitants Bay

Anse de Vieux-Habitants · Baillif approach

Good
Depth 4–10m•sand•70m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E↙ SE

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Basse-Terre Town Roads

Port de Basse-Terre · Basse-Terre harbour · Marina de Rivière Sens

Good
Depth 4–10m•mud•65m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E

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Pointe Noire Bay

Anse de Pointe-Noire · Pointe-Noire anchorage

Good
Depth 4–10m•sand•75m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E↙ SE

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Deshaies Bay

Anse de Deshaies · Deshaies anchorage · Deshaies harbour

Excellent
Depth 5–15m•sand•70m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E↙ SE↙ S

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Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin

Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon · Ilets Pigeon approach

Good
Depth 2–5m•sand•55m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E↙ SE↙ S↙ W

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Rivière Sens Bay

Anse de Rivière Sens · Petit-Bourg west anchorage

Good
Depth 4–8m•sand•70m alarm
↙ N↙ NE↙ E↙ SE

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Capesterre-Belle-Eau Bay

Anse de Capesterre · Capesterre anchorage

Good
Depth 4–10m•sand•80m alarm
↙ W↙ SW↙ S

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Goyave Anchorage

Anse de Goyave · Petit Bourg anchorage · Rivière de Goyave approach

Fair
Depth 3–8m•sand•80m alarm
↙ W↙ SW↙ S↙ SE

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Set Your Anchor Alarm Before You Sleep

On Basse-Terre's west coast, dragging onto volcanic rock or protected coral reef causes serious damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — even while you explore La Soufrière ashore.

Download Free for iOS
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