Fishing is a popular livelihood on Guadeloupe.   There are a lot of “fish pots” in the water.  These are markers indicating that nets or other traps are beneath the water.  So, when sailing, we need to look for these markers and avoid them.  Otherwise, the nets will wrap around our propellers.  There are so many fish pots off of the coast of Guadeloupe that it takes two of us on watch to find them.  These markers are small and get hidden in the sea swells until we are very close to them. 

We left at 6:30a from our anchorage in Basse Terre so that we were able to see the fish pots.  We wanted to get to the Saintes Islands early so that we could pick up a mooring ball.  Mooring balls are balls attached to cement that lies on the ocean’s floor.  We then tie our boat up to the mooring ball instead of anchoring.  It is really important to get a mooring ball in this anchorage because the water is deep and the wind swings the boat all around.  The swinging motion is precarious on an anchor because it could dislodge the anchor.  Last year when we were in this anchorage, there were more boats looking for a mooring ball than were available. 

The crossing between Guadeloupe and the Saintes was not that bad.  There were storms around and the winds were between 16 and 23 knots so we decided not to put up our sails.  We were again on the lookout for fish pots and had to weave back and forth to avoid them. 

When we arrived, we saw a Windstar Cruise Ship anchored, which surprised me.  I didn’t think that cruise ships pulled into such small ports.  They use tenders to move passengers back and forth to shore. 

Steve and I found a mooring ball off of Isle Cabrit.  This is one of three main anchorages located off an island across from Terre d’Haute, the main island.  The water here is relatively calm and protected.  However, to get to shore, we need to take the dingy across the channel, which can be rough at times.  The anchorage is fairly pretty with trees and a combination of black sand beach and rocks lining the shore.  There are approximately a dozen boats here, most of which are on mooring balls. 

It rained a lot last night and the pattern has continued throughout today.  We are waiting for the rain to pass before going to town to clear into the country of Guadeloupe.  We arrived too late in Basse Terre to go to the customs and immigration office.  We went into the office here in Iles des Saintes this morning but there was a sign on the door that said that they are only open between 2p and 4p Monday through Saturday.