shops and services near Point à Pitre attest to Guadeloupe’s well-developed infrastructure; much more than catering to tourists fuels the economy. On shore, provisioning opportunities are excellent, and plenty of entertainment awaits. Several restaurants offer excellent dining at the Bas-du-Fort Marina. Museums include the Memorial ACTe museum about slavery and the aquarium of endemic marine life at Lagon Bleu. In downtown Point à Pitre, old-style Caribbean architecture and several open air markets make for an interesting walk. Renting a car from Point a Pitre is easy and convenient, and the city’s central location makes driving to any point on the island, such as the hiking trail at La Soufriere (the tallest peak in the Lesser Antilles and an active volcano) or Guadeloupe’s rain forest, seem like a stone’s throw away. Those with a powerful dinghy may wish to make the trip up the Rivière Salée, the waterway that separates Grand Terre from Basse Terre. The trip near Point à Pitre goes by the port, the cruise ship terminal, and the airport before turning into less developed mangroves with many inlets to explore. Finally, it opens up into the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin and the Atlantic Ocean on the north side of Guadeloupe.
Îlet du Gosier
##The ferr y doc k at Ilet des
A mere three miles east of Point à Pitre lies a tropical paradise, the Îlet du Gosier. This tiny wooded island boasts a sheltered reef, a sandy beach, a laid-back beach bar, and a trail to the island’s lighthouse. After hours, the beach is likely to be deserted, and the picnic tables welcome a moonlight feast. People from the mainland love to swim and to kayak to Îlet du Gosier, so during the day, the anchorage pulses with activity. A swift current often runs through the anchorage, and this can make for rolly conditions. The brilliant turquoise of the water and the steady tropical breeze make for a quintessential Caribbean getaway.
Gosier.
Petit-Havre
A further three miles east of Îlet du Gosier (six miles east of Pointe à Pitre), Petit-Havre is a large anchorage tucked behind a reef that blocks the waves, but not the view. Consequently, those who anchor here feel as though they teeter on the edge of the ocean. Despite its protection, very few boats spend the night here, making it a treasure of isolation on an otherwise crowded Caribbean circuit. The reef makes for a nice snorkel, and the grass beds under the boat host plentiful sea urchins. More destinations on the southeast coast invite exploration as well. Ste. Anne, Ste. Francois, Petit Terre, and Marie Galante also welcome cruisers with plenty of natural beauty and French West Indian charm. The less beaten path around Guadeloupe has many varied experiences to offer and memories to build. # SpinSheet.com April 2019 67