Velero Reginavideo

Sailing north of Guadalupe, navigating around reefs

20 March 2026 · 28 min · 2K views · north of Guadalupe

Sailboat navigates sunlit waters near Guadalupe’s mountains

What this video covers

A 50-mile coastal passage from Les Saintes to the northern coast of Guadeloupe requires navigating shallow, reef-strewn waters to reach the anchorage at Baie Mahault.3:00 The route involves sailing along the west coast of Guadeloupe, where the island's volcanic terrain creates significant wind shadows, forcing the use of an engine for short intervals.8:38 Upon reaching the northern tip of the island, the vessel must transit a narrow, unlit passage between reefs and islets where depths fluctuate between 4 and 15 meters.13:38 The crew maintains two reefs in the mainsail and uses the genoa to navigate the final approach, which is protected by a large barrier reef that creates a calm, lagoon-like environment similar to the Mar Menor.11:45 Despite reports of poor water clarity due to the muddy bottom, the anchorage offers significant protection and proximity to mangroves.25:52 The transit requires constant vigilance to avoid unmarked reefs and local fishing gear.16:18

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