Pointe Noire Bay

About This Anchorage

Pointe-Noire is a peaceful town on the northwestern coast of Basse-Terre, situated between the busier anchorages of Deshaies to the north and Bouillante/Malendure to the south. The anchorage in Pointe-Noire Bay provides comfortable overnight shelter in settled trade wind conditions, with the dramatic green volcanic mountains providing a spectacular backdrop. The town is known throughout Guadeloupe for its woodworking tradition — the Maison du Bois (House of Wood) museum displays traditional Creole wood craftsmanship and furniture. The surrounding area has several good walking trails into the lower slopes of the national park. A quiet, genuine local community away from the tourist trail — the waterfront restaurants here serve some of the most authentic Creole cuisine on Basse-Terre.

Hazards

• !SW swell exposure — anchorage open to south and west; uncomfortable in swell from weather systems
• !Limited facilities — self-sufficient only for overnight stays; fuel and water from Deshaies or Basse-Terre
• !Local fishing boat traffic — respect the fishing areas around the bay
• !Rocky headlands at the bay entrances — use chart for approach

Skipper's Tips

• →The Maison du Bois (House of Wood) in Pointe-Noire is a fascinating and genuinely unique museum — the only institution in the French Caribbean dedicated to traditional Creole woodworking
• →The anchorage is rarely visited by other cruising yachts — a genuinely peaceful overnight experience
• →Trail access into the Parc National de la Guadeloupe begins from the road above the village — spectacular rainforest hiking
• →Provisions are better at Deshaies (4nm north) — stock up there before heading south
• →Morning light on the Basse-Terre mountains from this anchorage is extraordinary — worth the early alarm

Nearby Anchorages