Anse à la Barque
Anse Barque · Baie du Gros Cap
16°13.74'N 61°36.18'W
Depth
4–9m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sandy mud in 4–9m. Sheltered from NE trades. Monitor for SW swell in weather systems — not common but can develop. Set anchor with engine test before leaving boat unattended.
About This Anchorage
Anse à la Barque is a quiet, unpretentious anchorage on the western tip of Grande-Terre — less visited than Gosier or Sainte-Anne, and all the better for it. The bay is sheltered from the prevailing NE trades by the surrounding coastline and provides a comfortable overnight anchorage in settled conditions. The surrounding area is more industrial-residential than touristic, which means fewer visitors and a genuine local atmosphere. The anchorage is convenient for vessels transiting through the Rivière Salée — the narrow channel separating Grande-Terre from Basse-Terre — or for those seeking a quiet night away from the bustle of Marina Bas-du-Fort. Mangroves fringe the northern shore of the bay, providing habitat for various seabirds. The area around the Rivière Salée entrance is a natural reserve — no anchoring in the mangrove channel itself.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchorage
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring in the Rivière Salée channel or in the mangrove areas — natural reserve. Speed limit in the channel approach. No dumping or waste discharge near the mangrove zone.
Hazards
- !SW swell exposure in weather systems — monitor Météo-France marine forecasts
- !Limited facilities — carry all provisions and fuel from Marina Bas-du-Fort
- !Rivière Salée channel — the bridges have not opened since January 2013 (about 4 m clearance); masted yachts cannot transit
- !Mangrove snags — anchor clear of the mangrove fringe; anchor in open sandy-mud areas only
Skipper's Tips
- →Anse à la Barque sits at the southern end of the Rivière Salée — the channel is closed to masted yachts (bridges fixed since 2013), so treat this as a quiet night near the marina, not a staging point
- →The mangroves here are a birdwatching spot — herons, pelicans, and frigate birds are common in the early mornings
- →Quiet and rarely visited — ideal for crews seeking a peaceful night away from the marina bustle
- →The Jarry industrial/commercial zone is 3km by road and has large supermarkets — useful for bulk provisioning before an offshore passage
- →Do not plan a Rivière Salée transit — the bridges no longer lift; the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin is reached round the outside of either wing
Facilities
Very limited facilities — this is a quiet local anchorage. Nearest restaurants and provisions in Jarry commercial zone (3km by road) or Pointe-à-Pitre (5nm east). Use Marina Bas-du-Fort for all boat services.
Nearest provisions: Jarry commercial zone (3km by road) / Marina Bas-du-Fort (5nm E) (5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. A quiet, lightly-used anchorage — good alternative to the busier spots when privacy is preferred.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
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