Rivière Salée, Guadeloupe

[KDH]

Getting ready to depart Guadeloupe to return to St. Martin. Looking for current info from anyone who has transited the river this season. Doyle's says the river is fairly shallow in some places, with a minimum low tide of 6.9 and while we draw 5' 8" I am concerned we might have problems. This route would cut 5 hours or so off the transit time from Pointe à Pitre but might not be worth the risk of getting stuck as we need to be in St. Martin for 2 April. Thanks!

[atoll]

sorry dont have current info but took my boat thru there in 93.
we drew 5 ft and had no problems,apart from slightly out of the channel waiting for the bridge to open.

the reefs on the northen enterance are well marked,but care is needed,would not attempt this in the dark.
bridge only opens twice a day for 5-10 minutes but this may have changed.
bottom is thick mud if you do run aground except in the north exit where it is sand and coral.
interesting,but lots of oppertunities for delay!!

[Katiusha]

We transited in 2010. Our experience: anchor the day before in front of the bridge, then take the dinghy in with a depth sounder. We used a very high-tech solution: a dinghy oar with a tape that showed our draft. It was very helpful as we mapped out the actual channel (it meanders).

We always had plenty of water under our keel (4'9''), but without the mapping beforehand we would've grounded at least once.

There is a small white red-ish buoy in the middle of mangroves transit - it marks a wreck that almost shows, so be careful around it in the dinghy.

We found the buoys on the other side slightly confusing, but maybe because we had to be up for the bridge opening at 4:30 am (don't remember for sure about the time).

[KDH]

Unfortunately, we went up the coast. Stuck in Deshaies at the moment as there was no wind and a building northerly swell. Rechecking the weather and hopefully will be off first thing in the morning. Thanks to you both for taking the time to respond.
(Of course, if we had gone up the river we might be aground...

[Katiusha]

Fair winds on the travel north!
Where to next? Antigua, Nevis, or Montserrat? Or straight to St Martin?

[KDH]

Looks like straight to St. Martin. Would have loved a return trip to Antiqua but would have to reapply to have the dogs admitted (we have 2 mini-schnauzers on board). Nevis, and Montserrat also problematic for dogs. Sending the dogs to the US to stay with our middle son in Arkansas until August when they will return to Canada with our youngest son, who is sailing with us.

[Katiusha]

Nice. Should be a nice reach! Enjoy the trip