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 navigable channel that separates Grande-Terre from Basse-Terre — Guadeloupe's 'butterfly' shape comes from the two distinct wings joined at this narrow waist of mangrove and shallow water. Transiting the Rivière Salée allows sailors to move between the eastern (Grande-Terre) and western (Basse-Terre) sides without rounding the southern or northern tips of the island — a significant saving in passage distance. The channel is navigable for vessels with draught under 2m (approximately 6.5ft) and requires a swing bridge opening at Pont de la Gabarre — the bridge opens on a scheduled basis, typically at 05:30, 09:30, 14:00, and 17:30 (verify locally as schedules change). The staging anchorage at the southern entrance provides a comfortable waiting spot for vessels timing their approach to catch the bridge. The surrounding mangrove landscape is extraordinarily beautiful and rich in birdlife — frigate birds, pelicans, herons, and kingfishers are all common.
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. Bridge opening schedule must be confirmed locally (VHF 16 or marine authority). Maximum draught for Rivière Salée transit approximately 2m. Speed limit in the channel 5 knots. No wash.
Hazards
- !Shallow sections in the Rivière Salée — minimum depth approximately 2m; vessels with deeper draught cannot transit
- !Bridge opening schedule — missing the opening means waiting up to 4 hours; arrive early
- !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
- →The Rivière Salée transit is a genuine highlight — passing through mangrove jungle with frigate birds overhead and the distant mountains of Basse-Terre ahead is unforgettable
- →Confirm the bridge opening schedule with the marina or local marine authority the day before transit — schedules change seasonally
- →Transit is best done in the morning (09:30 opening) to arrive in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin with the full afternoon of settled conditions
- →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. Transit is possible year-round in suitable conditions but hurricane season vessels should not be in Guadeloupe June–November.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
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