Baie des Gonaïves (English: Gonaives Bay) is a bay located north-east of the Gulf of Gonâve in Haiti and at the bottom of which is the city of Gonaïves.
Geography[]
The Bay of Gonaïves is open to the west and extends between the tip of Gonaïves and that of Lapierre. It houses the city of the same name. Its depth can reach 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) allowing ships of strong tonnages to dock in the port city of Gonaïves.
The Bay of Gonaives is formed by several secondary bays. The main one, located to the south under the name of Grammont bay.
1.) Grammont Bay occupies an area of 4 km² (1.5 mi²). It receives the waters of the Rivière la Quinte which has its mouth on the eastern shore and marsh of the bay.
2.) Carenage Bay is located along the city of Gonaïves. It is the port of the city with its quays and warehouses.
3.) Lefèvre Bay is located north of the Bay of Gonaïves. It is the smallest.
Point Lapierre[]
Pointe de la Pierre, (English: Stone Point) also known as Pointe Lapierre, is a modest yet distinctive coastal headland located at the entrance of Gonaïves Bay. Situated approximately 62 meters (203 feet) above sea level, it marks the boundary of the bay, which stretches from Pointe Lapierre to Pointe des Gonaives.
This promontory overlooks mangrove-lined bays and gently rolling coastal plains characteristic of northern Artibonite, rather than the region’s higher mountainous terrain. Nearby settlements such as La Hatte Rocher and Pointe Saline rely on the point for local fishing and navigation, with Gonaïves pilots guiding vessels safely beyond Pointe Lapierre’s waters.
Pointe Lapierre is also known for its natural spring, celebrated for its clarity and purity. Historically, during 10President Geffrard’s administration, a fountain in Gonaïves was supplied by this spring, highlighting its importance to local communities. Some residents even use canoes near the point to collect drinking water, as parts of Gonaïves face challenges accessing this essential resource. While not widely promoted as a tourist destination, Pointe de la Pierre holds local importance by marking geographic boundaries and offering scenic views of the bay. It also provides opportunities for birdwatching and informal beach outings, embodying the quiet, natural charm of coastal Haiti.
On November 24, 1888, at 2:30 PM, during a rebellion in the North against 14President F. D. Legitime’s government, some sailors from the ship Dessalines went to Lapierre to get water. They were attacked and killed by armed people hiding in the nearby woods. In response, the soldiers from Dessalines came down and burned all the huts in the area. The attack caused one death, one injury, and three sailors from Dessalines were captured.
Pointe des Flammands[]
Pointe des Flamands (English: Flamingo Point) is a low-lying coastal headland located along the northern edge of Gonaïves Bay in Haiti’s Artibonite region. This gently extending promontory juts into the Caribbean Sea, helping to define the shoreline near the city of Gonaïves—one of Haiti’s key urban and economic centers. The surrounding landscape is a mix of flat coastal plains and modest hills, with dense mangrove vegetation marking the transition between land and sea. Pointe des Flamands plays an important ecological role as part of Haiti’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem, providing critical habitat for marine life and migratory birds such as flamingos, which inspired its name. Its position creates a natural boundary within Gonaïves Bay, sheltering local fishing communities by calming the bay’s waters and offering protection from the open sea. Though modest in elevation, the point holds local significance for navigation and fishing activities. The nearby city of Gonaïves, known for its role in Haiti’s independence and ongoing economic importance, further anchors the area as a vital part of northern Haiti’s cultural and environmental landscape.