Basse Terre - local knowledge appreciated

[hpeer]

We should he making our way South from St Maarten in a week or so. We have stopped in Deshaies many times but never Basse Terre. I see there is a marina there. Yet we vastly prefer to anchor.

Is anchoring allowed?
Is there a dingy dock in the marina?
Where is Customs? Typical French computer?
How is the fuel dock? We may want to get water.

Any other suggestion or tales or whatever?

Many thanks.

[Zanshin]

Basseterre isn't great for cruising boats. I think the marina area doesn't cater for visitors, just local boats. One needs to anchor outside, and that is usually dead calm but the winds can shift and make it uncomfortable. I've avoided staying overnight and have either stopped short at Val de L'orge or continued on to the Saintes. Friends who did stop there said it wasn't terrible, but they'd not return.
I've been there by rental car (while anchored in Deshaies) and the Fort Delgrès and other parts of the town are great, though.

[Ryban]

Anchored there for only 1 or 2 nights on my way south. Really only went ashore to find a place to get internet and do laundry, and it wasn't super convenient. Honestly, I had almost forgotten I went there at all.

[hpeer]

I should have asked about pastry shops. Letting my priorities slip.

[Ded reckoner]

If it's pastries you're after, then you know Deshaies has a nice dinghy dock and that the very good pastry shop is straight ahead. If you didn't ever hike up the hill and visit the botanical garden, then you need to go back. It's world class. And, there's no Customs or Immigration fee, so splurge and have lunch at Chez Ernest. The manager there might be the only person on the island who knows English.

[hpeer]

Oh I have been to Deshaies many times and know the Botanical Gardens well. We used to have lorikeets of the same variety as there. So it is a very familiar spot.

I usually overnight at Ferry Point and move into Deshaies about 10am, after some have left and before others arrive. La Mer, Pelican, are all familiar.

I am looking to do something different this time, expand my horizon as it may be.

[mojoman2]

Bass Terre is a low traffic marina. We stopped there to clear out and made the mistake of doing it after 12:00 on Saturday when the marina/clearance was closed. A nice local called the Capitanarie who arranged to come in after a few hours, which was very helpful. There is a small fuel dock but no attendant when we were there. I think they would come if you called.

[beta600]

not a bad place,, you can clear in the restaurant on the dock BARRACUDA,, OR THE MARINA.fuel at the gaz station 50 yards from pontoon, two small supermarket,,laundry also,bus to st claude for big super market and taxi back if loaded,bus also to the volcan for hiking,,, lots to do ,,,

[Off Trail]

Be aware that Deshaies customs is a mess right now. Le Pelican's computer is gone permanently, and the immigration office outside of town was never open for the 4 days we were there last week. We ended up having to get a ride into Bas de Fort Marina in order to check out.

As for Basse Terre, you've gotten good answers. The anchorage is very sheltered with good holding, but gets strange winds because of the cliffs, so give yourself some extra space. The walk along the malecon and up to the fort is pretty cool and worth doing as you can explore it pretty well, and the views are great.

[hpeer]

Thanks for this information.

It seems thr resturantbcomputerbis gone in St Pierre as well.

[Zanshin]

@beta600 - I'm flying to Grenada tomorrow and will sail up, I'd intended on clearing in at Deshaies. What happened to the computer system at le Pelican? And where is the immigration office you referred to - walkable distance? Which direction?

[Off Trail]

My French is terrible, but what I understood is that it died, and they have no plans to replace it. The local immigration office doesn't have a computer either, but supposedly will provide paper forms. There are plans to expand it, but they seem to be like many Caribbean plans.

The immigration office is about 200m south of the creek bridge on the main road. But as I said they weren't open despite having posted hours. You might have better luck than we.

Coming from the south, I'd check in at Basse Terre. The Basse Terre marina is only open during the week, but otherwise it's an easy spot with good dinghy access.

[Zanshin]

My check-in plans were just a loose plan, I could check in in the Saintes if I overnight there. Perhaps I'll just do a straight run from Grenada to St. Martin. But I'll miss le Pelican for clearing in; the picture on Noonsite was taken by me - many moons ago.

[barcoMeCasa]

https://www.noforeignland.com/place/6212741285019648 & https://www.navily.com/ always worth a look.
In noforeignland if there are any boats there you can send them a message & ask the situation there & then. Had a few messages like that, always nice to help.
Anchorage review from this month so seems to be allowed.
https://www.noforeignland.com/place/...76?tab=reviews

[hpeer]

IIRC the computer at Le Pelican was acting up last season. I had to ask for help a couple of times.

Perhaps we cruisers were more pain than profit?