Petite-Terre — Ilet du Gosier

About This Anchorage

Ilet du Gosier is the small lighthouse island offshore from the Gosier resort area — a protected natural site with a fringing coral reef, clear water, and a small sandy beach that becomes a snorkelling and swimming destination for day-trippers from Gosier beach. The anchorage in the channel between the islet and the coast offers an interesting alternative to the main Gosier roadstead, with the lighthouse island providing a useful windbreak. The snorkelling around the reef fringing the islet is the best easily accessible snorkelling near Pointe-à-Pitre — schools of tropical fish, sea fans, and good coral health in the protected areas. The islet is within the Parc Naturel Régional de la Guadeloupe tentative protected zone — no anchoring on the reef and no collection of any marine organisms. Day-tripper boats from Gosier beach operate to the island throughout the day.

Hazards

• !Coral reef fringing the islet — do not approach closer than 50m without visual pilotage; anchor only in sandy channel
• !Day-tripper boat traffic — tourist boats operate to the islet throughout the day; maintain clear passage
• !SE swell exposure — open to south and east; swell can make the channel anchorage uncomfortable
• !Limited swinging room in the channel — position carefully to avoid the reef on both sides

Skipper's Tips

• →Snorkel around the north and west faces of Ilet du Gosier — the best easily accessible reef near Pointe-à-Pitre with surprisingly good coral and fish diversity
• →The lighthouse on the islet provides an excellent radar and visual reference for night approaches to the area
• →Dinghy to Gosier beach (0.5nm) for restaurants, supermarket provisions, and the Friday morning market
• →The islet anchorage is popular with local sailors at weekends — arrive early on Saturday and Sunday to secure a sandy spot
• →Marina Bas-du-Fort (3.5nm west) is within easy dinghy/motor range for fuel, water, and chandlery needs

Nearby Anchorages