Anchorage· Basse-Terre· Leeward Islands

Deshaies Anchorage & Moorings

16° 18.3′ N · 61° 47.9′ W · approximate

The classic Guadeloupe landfall after the crossing from Antigua: a small west-facing bay squeezed between steep green hills, with a Creole fishing village, a river mouth and a string of waterfront restaurants. Fans of 'Death in Paradise' will recognise the waterfront, which stands in for the show's fictional town.

St Martin, Anguilla & St BarthsAntigua & BarbudaGuadeloupe, Les Saintes & Dominica

Practical

Coordinate approx: placed about 300 m west of the Deshaies town beach (OSM beach way 481745057) in the middle of the bay; it checks as open water against OSM coastline, but confirm on your chart. Moorings: white balls with a big metal loop on top (same type as Les Saintes). Fees were introduced in 2021: up to 10 m EUR20, up to 12 m EUR22, up to 15 m EUR25 per night (Noonsite comment); noforeignland reviewers quote EUR25 per night for boats under 14 m - verify locally. Some balls carry posted size and weight limits. Anchoring is allowed behind the line of red and green buoys marking the channel to the small harbour; holding is a mix of sand and grass and is poor in patches, and when it is busy expect to anchor further out in 30-40 ft (9-12 m). In light air boats on moorings and anchors swing all the way round and can touch - leave room. High hills produce katabatic gusts that blast down into the bay, so set the anchor well. Open to the west and to northerly ground swell in winter. Dinghy dock in the middle of town (end section damaged in past reports). Water from the jetty of the small port (EUR4 per m3 in a cruiser report; the harbourmaster is there until 2pm). Lobster pots are thick along the coast to the south. Excellent mobile and cafe Wi-Fi.

Best for

Clearing in from Antigua, Creole dinners and the botanical garden

Season

Year-round; rolly to untenable in winter northerly swell

Nearby