Départ de Guadeloupe

Day 1

• 1st option: if the model of your boats allows, you can choose to take La Rivière Salée which runs between Grande Terre and Basse Terre, in a northerly direction towards Antigua. In this case you need to be at the opening of the bridge at 5 am, (the bridge is closed on Sundays and off-season between August and November; it is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Telephone 05 90 21 26 50).
  When you leave the river you must wait until daybreak in order to see and follow the right navigation channel (this is a good spot to have breakfast), the bouys are well spaced out and easy to see, but any departure from this channel is unauthorised.
  Once out of the channel you have 30 miles, or about 5 hours of navigation, to reach the mythical and nicely sheltered bay at English Harbour, the former base of Admiral Nelson. Here you will find beaches, coconut palms, transparent waters, historical buildings, museums and a convivial atmosphere emanating from the pubs which come alive at nightfall.
   
• 2nd option: you can skirt round Basse Terre to the south and head for Les Saintes which are 5 to 6 hours' sail away. This archipelago of Caribbean isles is extremely appealing, with numerous moorings, fine sandy beaches and really beautiful coves.
  The main anchorage is to be found at Anse du Bourg, near the village and beneath the doctor's house that is built in the shape of a ship's prow. In the evenings things come to life, with numerous tourists taking in the scents and sounds of fish barbecues, ti punch and pinacolada...the holidays are off to a good start!