Port Mathurin - Docking
Port Mathurin
The port has been dredged and the buoyage no longer accords with some charts. Also, be aware that some electronic charts may not be accurate.
Port Mathurin is closed at night and the Port Captain does NOT permit ANY vessels to enter or depart the port at night. If you find your arrival is in the dark, you can anchor in the bay just outside the channel leading to the harbour. Here there is a sandy bottom and good protection from all directions, except the north.
Some yachts remain tied to the commercial dock after clearance which is free, however, you may have to move to the anchorage for a day or two when the weekly supply vessel comes in. It also can get quite rough here at high tide.
Whether you have to leave the anchorage when the supply ship arrives depends on the pilot in charge. Sailors for Sustainability reported having to leave shortly before the supply ship arrived but were able to go back to the inner anchorage as soon as the ship was docked. They were able to stay at anchor when it left a few days later.
Anchorages:
The main anchorage (19º40.72S 063º25.19E) is just off the commercial dock. The anchorage is about 240 meters diameter, 10 metres deep and surrounded by drying reef, so you don’t want to drag very far. Holding is tenuous at first, soft mud over hard clay. There is reported to be some garbage on the bottom.
The outer anchorage is at 19º40.09S 063º25.85E and is good holding sand about 15m. In strong south-east or east winds, a big swell gets across the fringing reef and it can be rolly.
The anchorage outside the approach channel is safer if intending a long stay on the hook, but open to the North and a long dinghy ride into town.
The anchorage inside the port where boats head when the supply boat visits, is approx. 100m to the north of the wharf in 9m of water, mud bottom, and can hold approx. 12 yachts. Strong winds from the west, north, or east can whip through the anchorage however holding here is good. The anchorage is surrounded by a drying reef and concrete walls and a current runs through the anchorage as well, so take care not to drag your anchor.
Port Sud Est
Anchorage west of Hermitage island in 8-10m in the sand. Good holding. Well protected from SE swells by extensive reef barrier.
Last updated: October 2022
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Related to following destinations: Mauritius, Port Mathurin, Rodrigues
Port Navigation
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As of April 2017, the fee payable to the Health office is Rs 1400 (approx $40).
It is possible to make some repairs here but searching for the right person to help can be difficult. If you need advice then talk to Louis in the Boutik Artisanale de Rodrigues (corner of rues Francois leguat and Paul Elysee). He speaks impeccable English, has lived on the island for years, and is happy to help yachties.
He directed an American boat to a machine shop which was able to fabricate new tangs for their rigging. We used the same metal-work guy to separate a stainless steel bracket which was corroded to its shaft. Don’t forget to buy something in Louis’ shop afterwards to thank him for his trouble (the products are lovely, reasonably priced, and mostly made by his wife).