Sainte-Anne Bay
Anse de Sainte-Anne · Sainte-Anne Grande-Terre
16°13.44'N 61°22.56'W
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sand in 3–7m. Bay opens to the south — set a comfortable radius in case of southerly swell. Coral heads on the approach require careful visual pilotage in clear conditions.
About This Anchorage
Sainte-Anne is one of the most photogenic villages on Grande-Terre's south coast — its wide white-sand beach, clear turquoise water, and colourful Creole architecture make it a favourite both for visiting sailors and French holidaymakers from the mainland. The anchorage lies north of the village, well-sheltered from the NE trades by the island mass but open to the south. The beach itself is among Guadeloupe's finest — a gently curving crescent of powdery sand lined with sea-grape trees and a handful of excellent beach restaurants. The village of Sainte-Anne has a lively Wednesday and Saturday market, a good supermarket, boulangeries, pharmacies, and colourful restaurants serving traditional Creole cuisine — accras de morue, blaff de poisson, and ti' punch are the specialities. This is an ideal overnight stop on a passage eastbound to Saint-François or westbound back to Pointe-à-Pitre.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SE · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchorage
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral — anchor only in the sandy areas north of the village. Respect swim zones marked with buoys near the beach. No overnight anchoring within the marked swim zone.
Hazards
- !Coral heads on the outer approach — enter with chart and visual lookout in clear water conditions; approach from the west or northwest
- !Southerly swell in weather systems can make anchorage uncomfortable — monitor marine forecasts from Météo-France
- !Southern exposure — in trade reversal events (rare) the anchorage becomes untenable; proceed to Marina Bas-du-Fort
- !Weekend beach traffic — watersports and tourist boat activity throughout the bay on Saturday and Sunday
Skipper's Tips
- →The Wednesday and Saturday market in Sainte-Anne village is one of the best on Grande-Terre — fresh produce, spices, local rum, and handicrafts
- →Sainte-Anne beach is best visited in the morning before the beach bars fill — the water clarity is exceptional in calm trade wind conditions
- →For provisioning, the Champion supermarket is 5 minutes' walk from the dinghy dock — well-stocked for Caribbean standards
- →Passage to Saint-François (5nm east) is a straightforward downwind run in the trades — depart in the morning for best conditions
- →The local Creole restaurant on the beach serves the best accras de morue (salt cod fritters) in Grande-Terre — order with a ti' punch
Facilities
Several beach restaurants in the village offering Creole cuisine. Boulangerie opens at 07:00. Supermarket (Champion) in the village for provisions. Market Wednesday and Saturday mornings. No fuel or water available at the anchorage.
Nearest provisions: Sainte-Anne village (Champion supermarket, market) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May. Comfortable overnight anchorage in settled trade wind conditions. Avoid during strong southerly swell events. Hurricane season June–November.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In Guadeloupe waters, anchor drag toward coral reef carries legal penalties and environmental damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore ashore with confidence.
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