30 March 2012

When we came into this anchorage we did not really know what to expect.  It turns out that it was a great choice.  The mooring installed provide a really nice comfort as they we well done.  The snorkeling along the island of Cabrit was excellent.  Many fish, variety of small coral, sponges, sea worms, etc.  Each day we snorkeled along the shore and had something different to see each day.

Since we were now anchored off the island which is part of France I needed to go into the main town to complete customs and immigration.  Our outboard motor was not properly repaired in Martinigue so use of the dingy was out of the question.  I inflated the kayak and chose to paddle the one mile to the town.  It was against the wind and waves for most of the trip but not tha t bad.  There is a great dingy dock at town to allow easy access.

Once ashore I found the agency to register with customs.  Of course being France the computer printer was not working and she said maybe come back later in the day.  No chance as It took 45 minute to kayak over.  However the town was very nice and worth the trip.  The trip back to the boat was downwind and required very little action on my part.

The next day Pat and myself kayaked over and went to the office to complete customs.  Well they were closed for many hours for lunch.  Finally they re-opened at 14:30 and we completed the “clear in and clear out” on the computer and had the printout properly stamped by the authorized agent.  Actually a good system if you hit the timing correctly.

Overall this was a great place.  We could have stayed here longer as the mooring were secure and chop minimal.  If you picked up a mooring near the town that was not so nice, very rolly.  Did I mention the daily freshly baked baguettes and the free garbage pickup by the service boats.  What could be better.

Royal Clipper cruise ships come into this anchorage.  What surprised me was that upon departure they set every sail on the way to Dominica to the south.  Very impressive but too far away to get a good photo.

Brain coral just off where we were moored.  The snorkeling was great as long as you are patient and watched things carefully.  Not a place to race between points of interest.

View from the main town looking back out to the anchorage way off in the distance and around the corner of the island to the right.

Main street.  Nice shops and nice people.

Typical picture of the reef.  Blue Tang is the fish and Diadema is the sea urchin (the black spiney things).  Brain coral also min the picture and some small sponges on the rocks.

Our boat in the mooring.  View from the island of Cabrit looking south.

Pelicans nest in trees.  Yes I did not realize that till now.  They hang out here then fish during the day with great amount of action.  They fly over the water, notice the prey and just plunge into the water to snatch the fish.  Great to watch with much noise when they hit the water.  The bad part of this is after so many dives they eventually lose their eyesight from the impacts.  Once that happens they can no longer fish effectively and die from hunger.  At least that is what I have been told and read.