Rivière Salée — Channel Anchorage
Rivière Salée approach · Morne-à-l'Eau approach · Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin south
16°19.74'N 61°30.72'W
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m for good holding on mud in 3–6m. Staging anchorage for the Rivière Salée transit. Well-sheltered in this position. Confirm minimum depth with SHOM chart before entering — the channel has reported depths of 2m in places.
About This Anchorage
The Rivière Salée is the narrow mangrove channel that separates Grande-Terre from Basse-Terre — the 'waist' of Guadeloupe's butterfly. It was once the yachtsman's shortcut from Pointe-à-Pitre to the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, timed to the dawn openings of its two road bridges. THE BRIDGES NO LONGER OPEN: the Pont de la Gabarre and the Pont de l'Alliance have not lifted since January 2013, their fixed clearance is about 4 m, and the north entrance has silted; only dismasted boats and small motor craft pass. Old guides and some charter briefings still print the opening times — ignore them. Masted yachts go round the outside of Basse-Terre or Grande-Terre, and this staging anchorage at the southern entrance is now a quiet mangrove-fringed night near the marina rather than a waiting room for a transit.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free staging anchorage
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring in the channel itself or on mangrove roots. The two bridges have been fixed (not lifting) since January 2013 with about 4 m clearance — masted yachts cannot transit; draught in the channel about 1.5–2 m at best and the north entrance is silted. Speed limit 5 knots, no wash.
Hazards
- !Shallow sections in the Rivière Salée — minimum depth approximately 2m; vessels with deeper draught cannot transit
- !The bridges do not open (fixed since January 2013, about 4 m clearance) — a masted yacht cannot transit; do not plan on it
- !Strong current can run in the channel during tidal changes — transit at slack water if possible
- !Mangrove prop roots — stay in the marked channel; stranding in mangroves is a serious situation
- !Limited VHF coverage in parts of the channel — have a predetermined plan and backup contacts
Skipper's Tips
- →Explore the mangroves by dinghy or kayak instead — frigate birds, herons and the mountains of Basse-Terre ahead — which is all a masted yacht can now do here
- →Do not plan a transit: the Pont de la Gabarre and Pont de l'Alliance have not lifted since January 2013 and no reopening date has been announced — check with the marina only if you are dismasted or in a small motor boat
- →To reach the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin, sail round the north of Grande-Terre or the west of Basse-Terre and enter through the Passe à Colas — allow a full day
- →Minimum underkeel clearance in the shallowest sections is critical — post a dedicated lookout on the bow to spot any colour changes in the water
- →The channel is one-way in some sections — agree direction of transit with any approaching vessel on VHF before entering narrow stretches
Facilities
No facilities at this staging anchorage. All provisions from Marina Bas-du-Fort or Pointe-à-Pitre before transit. Morne-à-l'Eau town is several kilometres by road from the channel.
Nearest provisions: Marina Bas-du-Fort (8nm south) (8nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. The channel is closed to masted yachts year-round (bridges fixed since 2013); the anchorage itself is usable in any settled weather. Hurricane season June–November.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
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