Sargassum at Anse Collat (Lido), Schoelcher: today's report
Clear
Clean
Anse Collat, known locally as the Lido, runs along the Schoelcher seafront just north of Fort-de-France, on the Caribbean side of Martinique. It works as a neighbourhood beach, used by people from the wider city on weekdays as much as at weekends.
The reading for the current day appears below: the sargassum rating from 0 to 5 given in the morning, a map covering the coast from Fort-de-France northwards, and a refresh at the start of every day. Enough to decide between a quick stop at the Lido and a longer drive further up the leeward coast.
Anse Collat (Lido) on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Of all the shores in Martinique, this one lies furthest from the sargassum route. Rafts cross the Atlantic on the easterly trade winds and pile onto the windward side, the exact opposite of Schoelcher. To reach Anse Collat, weed has to travel around the island and then work its way up the whole leeward coast.
Episodes are therefore far less frequent here than in the south and east, and usually lighter when they do occur. The westward orientation also puts the beach in the lee of the Schoelcher hills, in water that is rarely churned up. The trade-off is a familiar one: when a deposit does arrive, there is little swell to carry it away again. The morning rating remains the simplest way to know where the sand stands.
Frequently asked questions
Does sargassum reach Anse Collat?
Rarely, compared with the south and east of the island. The beach sits on the leeward coast north of Fort-de-France, off the path of rafts driven by the trade winds, though heavy years can still send weed this far.
How do I check before going down to the Lido?
The FanGass map publishes a rating from 0 to 5 for Anse Collat every morning, alongside the other beaches of the northern Caribbean coast. Checking takes a couple of seconds before you head out.
Why is this coast less affected than the south?
Arrivals come from the Atlantic and meet the eastern shore first. Schoelcher lies on the far side of Martinique, so weed has to round the island and travel up the Caribbean coast before it gets here.
Where else can I go if the Lido is affected?
The other coves along the Schoelcher shoreline and further north appear on the same map. A beach a few kilometres up the coast can carry a different rating on the very same morning.