DEVIL’S ISLAND SCENIC CRUISING – APRIL 20TH

Devil’s Island is located just off the coast of French Guyana.  I remember during our Three Continents cruise a while back, we were supposed to make a stop on Devil’s Island but the weather was so rough, the Captain decided against it.  Although I believe there is an actual hotel on the island and some ships do stop there, we did not.

Instead, our Destination Lecturer, Deb, provided a live commentary of Devil’s Island which we could listen to, either on the open decks, or on Channel 49 of our stateroom tv.  Michael relaxed on the balcony while I enjoyed my air-conditioned cabin while listening to Deb’s talk.  

Here are the Captain’s notes from the “Log of the Cruise”: “Pacific Princess slowed its speed and made the approach to the pilot boarding ground.  The Captain had the conn by 09:41, after which a local pilot and agent boarded.  The plan for the next few hours of scenic cruising was discussed, and the pilot made a call to a smaller tanker at anchor, and successfully got it to move in order to provide a better view of Ile Royale, Saint Joseph, and Diable (Devil’s).  Scenic cruising started at 10:06.  The islands themselves have a history that encompasses more than just the penal colony that was made popular in print, then film.  It was also at one point a refuge from the disease that was overtaking the settlement opposite it on the mainland.  The vessel could not safely pass around the islands, and so took up a position to the southwest of the islands to allow all guests to take in the view.  The vessel then disembarked its two guests, and scenic cruising was finished by 11:42.”

Of course, the most famous movie made about Devil’s Island was the story of “Papillon” starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.  A remake was made in 2018.  The ship played both movies onboard over the course of a couple of days.  Deb provided us with a great overview of how this place came about as well as some horrific details about the treatment of the prisoners, all of which can be read about in the various books that have been written about this infamous Island. 

One thing that sticks in my brain from our visit to the area was the color of the ocean water.  The sky was a beautiful blue, however, the water was an incredibly ugly greenish brown color.  I’m sure any oceanographer could explain all this to me, but, after hearing about how the justly and, sometimes, unjustly convicted prisoners were imprisoned, I prefer to think that a truly evil karma surrounds this place.  If given the opportunity on future cruises, I would definitely not set foot on this Island. 

MICHAEL’S OBSERVATIONS:  In a word, this place was “ugly.”  I talked to some of the other passengers who had binoculars and as we did our drive-by, they were able to spot sharks and crocodiles in the water.  This is a most unusual occurrence; you might see one or the other.  But as Leona has suggested, this place definitely has some bad juju surrounding it.  I, too, would skip this destination on any other future cruises.