Dominica, Guadeloupe, Antigua

[mike_bryon]

Can any please tell me the current entry fees charged by these countries/islands.
Advice on the not-to- miss places and best place to clear into Dominica and Guadeloupe also welcome.
Thanks
Looking for crew for the trip back leave from Martinique 4th May arrive UK 20th June. PM for further information.

 

[Downsman]

Long time ago but I suspect not much has changed. 2007 I cleared into Portsmouth in Prince Ruperts bay, Dominica. I don't recall the fee, but seem to remember it was nothing exorbitant at that time.
What I do remember is being met by the 'Boat boys' as I sailed into the bay. A chap called 'Spaghetti' ( it's painted on the side of his Dory.) He was the spitting image of Bob Marley and a gentleman too. They had organised themselves into a collective which seemed to keep out the crooks.
He showed me best place to anchor, ran me across to the customs and Immigration office and back in his boat at warp speed !! Also during my stay he ran some diesel in jerry cans out to me and helpfully...told me to stay out of a particular area of the town. Nice bloke earning a living and I gave him some US dollars for his help when I left.

Just to add, I think the boat Boys in the collective also had the business of running trips up the Indian River sewn up too. I didn't go but people who did seemed to enjoy the river trip, if you have time.

 

[Jeannius]

Bugger all entry/exit fees in either place. Watch out if you go to Antigua though, that costs an arm and a leg.

Part of Guadeloupe but not on the mainland, go to the Isles des Saintes (between Dominica and Guadeloupe and a port of entry). Beautiful little islands, more like the south of France than the Caribbean. On the North West coast of Guadeloupe, go to Deshaies (a port of entry). Great anchorage and lovely little village. Was recently the location for the pretty awful but very attractive BBC series, Death in Paradise.

 

[TQA]

Cheaper to clear into Antigua in Jolly Harbor. But you MUST go into the customs slip and you MUST NOT go ashore before clearing in.

A skipper was fined $5000 EC [ $1800 US ] for allowing the crew ashore in the evening before checking in next morning.

Noonsite has the fees and they are usually up to date.

 

[macd]

The French islands are free to enter (and relatively unbureaucratic). Note that in much of Les Saintes (mentioned above, and where I am now) anchoring is prohibited, so moorings must be taken. Fees are upwards of 9 Euros per day, depending on length.

Dominica is cheap, lovely and with a fine relaxed attitude. Formalities aren't onerous: you can clear in and out at the same time even if staying for a while (although evidently not all officials know this).

Antigua is fairly pricey. A recent Carib boating free sheet did a comparison of Island prices. Based on a couple on a 41-footer (many places, notably Antigua, include charges for "passengers") spending a week in any one territory, it worked out like this (all prices US$):
Dominica: $8
St Lucia $15
St Vincent & Grenadines $26
Grenada $31
St Maarten $47
Antigua $55
BVI $56
Les Saintes (unless anchored) $78.

 

[KellysEye]

My memories differ from a couple of things said. When were were in Les Saintes there were no fees and there were places to anchor. Also in Jolly Harbour we used to dinghy to the marina and walk to customs and immigration, there was no requirement to go on the customs dock. That was in the period 2004 to 2010 so things may have changed. Don't clear into English Harbour they add an expensive national park fee.

 

[TQA]

My memories differ from a couple of things said. When were were in Les Saintes there were no fees and there were places to anchor. Also in Jolly Harbour we used to dinghy to the marina and walk to customs and immigration, there was no requirement to go on the customs dock. That was in the period 2004 to 2010 so things may have changed. Don't clear into English Harbour they add an expensive national park fee.

The Saintes The only place near to the check in point where you can anchor is behind Pain de Sucre. You have to use the expensive mooring balls elsewhere. Pity.

Antigua Things indeed have changed. I checked in a few weeks ago and as before I had to take my boat to the customs dock so they could check the name. This despite it being writ LARGE on the side and clearly legible from shore. The officials there have developed 'epaulitis' as Chris Doyle describes it.

St Barths is also expensive with even a night at anchor in Gustavia costing more than 10 euros.

If visiting St Maarten and choosing to anchor in the Lagoon at Simpsons Bay go to the French side and check in there. It is $67 for a week on the Dutch side and just two or three euros for the check in on the French side. People were even entering on the Dutch side and checking in French side.

 

[macd]

Latest from Les Saintes:
the bad news: the check-in fee is scandalous, millions of % greater than for Martinique.
The good news: it's only 1 Euro (or 2.50 if you also buy a coffee whilst filling in the form). Posibly this swingeing cost may actually be levied by the internet cafe, LMS, which now serves as the clearance office, rather than by the Guadaloupe authorities. Pilot books generally direct you to the town hall, which is obsolete info.

Routine is same as Martinique: fill in the same form on screen on one of the office computers, then hit 'print', sign it, pay your Euro and get it stamped. Simultaneous entry and exit, even for a one week stay, was OK.

Incidentally, neither Martinique nor here seem to give a monkeys where you've been before (you're required to declare it on your form, but there's been no interest in seeing papers from previous clear-out, nor even passports). Very relaxed.

 

[Alcyone]

Long time ago but I suspect not much has changed. 2007 I cleared into Portsmouth in Prince Ruperts bay, Dominica. I don't recall the fee, but seem to remember it was nothing exorbitant at that time.
What I do remember is being met by the 'Boat boys' as I sailed into the bay. A chap called 'Spaghetti' ( it's painted on the side of his Dory.) He was the spitting image of Bob Marley and a gentleman too. They had organised themselves into a collective which seemed to keep out the crooks.
He showed me best place to anchor, ran me across to the customs and Immigration office and back in his boat at warp speed !! Also during my stay he ran some diesel in jerry cans out to me and helpfully...told me to stay out of a particular area of the town. Nice bloke earning a living and I gave him some US dollars for his help when I left.

Just to add, I think the boat Boys in the collective also had the business of running trips up the Indian River sewn up too. I didn't go but people who did seemed to enjoy the river trip, if you have time.

Small world, eh?

 

[Downsman]

Small world, eh?

Ha! That's great. His boat was yellow and he had dreadlocks at one time, but obviously the same Spaghetti.
I had a couple come out on an old surf board trying to sell Ganja and they wouldn't take no for an answer. Being singlehanded I thought it was going to get difficult, but Spaghetti obviously spotted them from shore and came hacking out in his Dory. Didn't understand what he said to them but they shot off and never came back..

 

[Alcyone]

Ha! That's great. His boat was yellow and he had dreadlocks at one time, but obviously the same Spaghetti.
I had a couple come out on an old surf board trying to sell Ganja and they wouldn't take no for an answer. Being singlehanded I thought it was going to get difficult, but Spaghetti obviously spotted them from shore and came hacking out in his Dory. Didn't understand what he said to them but they shot off and never came back..

Similar sort of thing with us.

To get back on topic, he arranged for us to take the trip up Indian river. I was sceptical, tbh, but in the end, it was enjoyable. A very unspoilt 'Jungle' feel, and nice to get 'inland' for a bit.

We went to Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Lucia as well as Dominica, but, I think Dominica was my favourite. I guess I just like places a little more basic, and Dominica looked and felt more 'real' than some of the others.

 

[macd]

...and Dominica looked and felt more 'real' than some of the others.

Second that. Lovely spot, made all the better for lack of yottie facilities.

 

[BrianH]

Just to add, I think the boat Boys in the collective also had the business of running trips up the Indian River sewn up too. I didn't go but people who did seemed to enjoy the river trip, if you have time.

I agree, a great bunch, a world away from the Wallilabou Bay, on St Vincent, boys, although I've heard they've cleaned up their act a bit there now.

I took one of 'Spaghetti's' rides up the Indian River and had a drink (or two) at the bar up there with Bob Marley's music as background. Here's 'Albert' on his way with a group:

Dominica looked and felt more 'real' than some of the others.

Especially with those wrecks from hurricane Hugo on their doorsteps:

 

[jonic]

Check out "Seacat" as well.

He's a sort of elder statesman of the guides and boat boys. He has moorings too. Brilliant chap and gave us an outstanding tour into the rainforest.

 

[Rhi]

More Info

Hi

We were in Dominica, Les Saintes and Guadeloupe in January and have posted some info on our website.

Agree with earlier replies but also note the mooring buoys in Les Saintes don't have a pick up line, just a hoop on top and there was no end of misery for a lot of people without the special boathook or ability to lassoo the buoy and we ended up in our dinghy helping to tie people on.

Dominica is cheap for customs fees and we felt secure there in both Portsmouth and Roseau. The beach BBQ on a Sunday night which raises funds for the security patrols around Portsmouth's anchorage, is a great evening with locals and cruisers enjoying the food, rum punch and music.

We stopped in Deshaies before heading to Nevis which is a beautiful anchorage and safe enough to leave at 0200.

Enjoy your sailing!

www.beyzano.com

 

[KellysEye]

>Routine is same as Martinique: fill in the same form on screen on one of the office computers, then hit 'print', sign it, pay your Euro and get it stamped. Simultaneous entry and exit, even for a one week stay, was OK.

Has that changed as well? Guadloupe and Martinique are French Departments and as such there were no fees for Euorpean passport holders.

Seems as though we were there at the right time, I don't like the sound of Epilitis.

 

[TQA]

Good news for those who disliked the rusting wrecks fringing Portsmouth bay in Dominica.

There is a well funded program to cut them up and cart them off currently underway and progress is evident see below.

 

[macd]

Has that changed as well? Guadloupe and Martinique are French Departments and as such there were no fees for Euorpean passport holders.

No, it hasn't changed to any significant extent.

I wrote this about checking in to Les Saintes, although you seem to have misunderstood it: "it's only 1 Euro...Possibly this swingeing cost may actually be levied by the internet cafe, LMS, which now serves as the clearance office, rather than by the Guadaloupe authorities."

 

[capnsensible]

In the Saints and in Deshais, I didnt ever, in many visits, find the offices open.

You could clear in at the notorious Jolly Harbour on Antigua without a previous port clearance by entering in their log 'arrived from Deshais, Customs office shut' with no problem!

 

[snowleopard]

Advice on the not-to- miss places and best place to clear into Dominica and Guadeloupe also welcome.

A while since we were there so I can't comment on fees but for must-see places:

Dominica: We anchored at Portsmouth and took the Indian River trip which was interesting. We were constantly being offered trips up the river but they left us alone once we said 'We've been, it was great'. Walking up the road to the North from the anchorage we saw loads of humming birds - magic. Inland trips to various waterfalls are essential. Roseau has a dilapidated charm. We had lunch on a first-floor balcony and watched the world go by. The place is very poor and lots of islanders go elsewhere for work. I bought a T shirt with the Dominica flag and was often accosted by people on other islands who rather sadly told us it was their home.

Guadeloupe: The Saintes is very attractive. Bourg des Saintes is very boutiquey and chic but we anchored off the deserted Isle des Cabrits which was great. If you go there, snorkel from the boat and see the Flying Gurnards. Spook them and suddenly they open bright blue 'wings' and shoot off. As an alternative to going round the West side to Deshaies consider taking the 2am convoy through the Riviere Salee then exploring the Grande Riviere Goyave.

Antigua: English Harbour is of course a must but our favourite spots were on the North side - Anchor off Great Bird Island where the snorkelling is fabulous. A side trip to Barbuda is worthwhile. This was the famous pink beach just north of Palmetto Point.

Officials in Antigua were rude and arrogant. Be prepared to keep calm and don't let them wind you up.