I am departing Southern Spain bound toward Guadeloupe with a couple of new crew. One is German, the other is Polish. They wish to exit in Guadeloupe and visit the Caribbean islands on their own. I will continue to Canada without them.

Does anyone know if it is possible to leave crew in Guadeloupe and if so what are the requirements? Thank you.

Boat clearance can also be done in the Marina St. Francois for free.
In St. Anne you will find in the village a self-service laundry and there is also a sel-service laundry near Pigeon island, it is situated a little to the south near the diving center Bleu Passion Guadeloupe and reachable by dinghy. Also you will find there a Leader Price.

La Desirade, Guadeloupe – from Doyle Guides:

Good news for those who may wish to stay in this tiny harbor. One of the ferries is now gone for good. The remaining ferry docks on the eastern side of the town dock. This means visiting yachts may tie up alongside the southern and western sides of the town dock, space permitting, which is most of the time.

This from Chris Doyle via the Caribbean Navigator Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341518759227037/

I was wing and wing in Guadeloupe, passing between the island of Gosier and the town, when I saw ahead of me a string of white buoys that appeared to go all the way across. However boats were anchored on either side of them, so I assumed there was a way through and behind one of the boat there did appear to be a larger gap. So I altered course onto port gybe and headed for it.

When I was about 60 feet away I saw that the gap was an illusion, one buoy was somewhat underwater, and all the buoys were roped together from the island to the mainland as a swimming channel with no passage of boats. I managed to swing into the wind, all sails flogging, and carry up far enough to drop anchor, which held me till I could get the jib furled, the main sheeted in and the engine started. I had not realized that towns could just close of a well-used navigable channel like that without at least some kind of warning. So, since they didn’t let you know I am!

I have been through that gap may times, to be safe I suggest in my guides people go round. It is very well used by local boats, especially the fishing boats and therein lies the problem. Apparently, a swimmer was killed by an outboard motor, so I have sympathy for what they have done, Some kind of warning buoy or notices to places like Compass would be helpful. I don’t think the rope is deployed all the time – it looked fat too new and shiny to have been in the water long. I am just happy I was not under spinnaker!