Marina Bas-du-Fort
Bas-du-Fort Marina · Pointe-à-Pitre Marina · Port de Plaisance Bas-du-Fort
16°13.56'N 61°31.50'W
Depth
2.5–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
30m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
30m
30m alarm appropriate for a marina berth. Fully enclosed — no swell or wind exposure. Contact capitainerie on VHF 9 for berth. Non-EU vessels must clear customs here before proceeding anywhere in French Antilles waters.
About This Anchorage
Marina Bas-du-Fort is the beating heart of Caribbean sailing in Guadeloupe — an 800-berth fully enclosed marina situated at the eastern entrance to the Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon, just 1.5nm from Pointe-à-Pitre city centre. It serves as the primary port of entry for non-EU vessels arriving in the French Antilles, with customs and immigration facilities on site. The marina hosts the annual Route du Rhum finish line every four years and is the home port for dozens of charter companies (Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail, and others). Facilities are comprehensive: fuel dock, water, electricity, WiFi throughout, chandlery, supermarket (Carrefour a short drive), boat repair services, restaurants, and a well-equipped cruiser's lounge. The approach from the south is straightforward — pass east of Ilet à Cochons and follow the channel markers. The marina's capitainerie operates on VHF 9/16 and English is widely spoken. Pointe-à-Pitre offers excellent provisioning including the large Saint-John Perse market for fresh Caribbean produce.
Protected From
N · NE · E · S · SE · SW · W · NW
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina berthing from approximately €25–45/night depending on vessel LOA (2026 rates)
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Non-EU entry: Declaration form (DAU) at capitainerie. No per-person entry tax for EU territory. Marine park environmental fees may apply for subsequent anchorages in reserve areas.
Restrictions: Marina berths only — no anchoring in the marina basin. Non-EU vessels must clear customs at the marina capitainerie before proceeding. Q flag mandatory until cleared. EU-flagged vessels may proceed freely.
Hazards
- !Shoaling near the northern approach — follow the buoyed channel; do not cut corners on the approach from open sea
- !Ferry and commercial traffic in Pointe-à-Pitre harbour — give way to all commercial vessels
- !Strong current at the channel entrance during tidal changes (even though tidal range is small)
- !Peak season December–February: advance booking strongly recommended; marina fills with charter fleet
- !Dinghy theft reported in the area — lock outboard and dinghy securely to marina pontoon
Skipper's Tips
- →Call the capitainerie on VHF 9 at least 30 minutes before arrival to confirm berth availability — the marina fills rapidly in December–January
- →Non-EU clearance is efficient here — bring all passports, ship's papers, insurance certificate, and a completed DAU declaration form to the capitainerie office
- →The Saint-John Perse covered market in Pointe-à-Pitre (10-minute taxi) has the best selection of fresh Caribbean produce, spices, and rum in Guadeloupe
- →Fuel is competitively priced at the marina dock — top up here before heading to the outer islands
- →The marina's free WiFi is reliable throughout the basin — best spot to download charts and weather files before heading south to Les Saintes
Facilities
Multiple restaurants and bars within the marina complex. Large Carrefour supermarket 2km by taxi/bus. Excellent fresh produce market at Saint-John Perse covered market in Pointe-à-Pitre. Full chandlery, boat repair services, laundry, WiFi.
Nearest provisions: Carrefour supermarket (2km) / Saint-John Perse market (1.5km) (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May (trade wind season, lowest hurricane risk). Peak charter season December–February. Avoid June–November (hurricane season) for Caribbean passage planning.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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