Boating in Guadeloupe: IALA B buoyage, shallows and safety
Careful: buoys are reversed compared with mainland France
Guadeloupe is in IALA region B, the American buoyage system. It is the opposite of mainland France and Europe (region A): when returning to port, red buoys are on starboard (right) and green on port (left). An easy way to remember: “red right returning”. Many sailors from Europe get this wrong, so it is the first thing we explain before every departure.
The Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin: stunning, but full of traps
Between the mangrove and the largest coral reef in the Lesser Antilles, the lagoon is full of shallows, coral heads and seagrass just below the surface. The depth sounder often warns too late: you need careful visual navigation (shallow areas look darker or lighter depending on the bottom). Running aground damages the engine and the coral protected by the National Park.
Our Garmin GPS units with routes already saved
All our boats carry a new-generation Garmin touchscreen chartplotter. Safe routes are already saved: Îlet Caret, the wreck before the coral reef, Fajou, the Rivière Salée, Petite Terre, Les Saintes… Just follow the track to avoid the shallows. Before you leave, we walk you through the chart, the channels and the areas to avoid.
Speed limits, distances and travel times from Marina du Gosier
Speed limits along the way: Marina du Gosier: 3 knots max. Outer harbour channel (Pointe-à-Pitre main channel, between the marina and the Rivière Salée): 8 knots max. Rivière Salée: 5 knots max. Approximate distances and times from Marina du Gosier: Îlet Caret, about 12 nautical miles, about 1 hour; Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin wreck, about 1 h 15. Times vary with sea conditions and the boat.
Other rules to know
Within 300 metres of the beaches, speed is limited to 5 knots. In the National Park, use mooring buoys rather than your anchor and respect protected areas. Trade winds blow from the east and the sea can get rough in the channels between islands. Above 20 knots of wind or under a cyclone alert, we cancel or reschedule the trip.
Not confident? Take a skipper
A licence is required above 6 HP. If you don't have one, or just want to relax, a skipper who knows every channel takes you to the best spots. The skipper is paid directly on the day.