Sargassum at Anse du Gouverneur: today's report
Clear
Dive in
Anse du Gouverneur opens to the south of Saint-Barthélemy, at the bottom of a road that drops in tight turns from the heights of Lurin. Steep slopes close the bay on both sides, nothing is built on the sand, and on a clear day the neighbouring islands sit on the horizon.
This page covers one thing: sargassum at Gouverneur today. You get the morning observation, a 0 to 5 rating and a map of the coast around it. Because the beach has no facilities and no quick alternative next door, a check before you set off saves both the descent and the climb back.
Anse du Gouverneur on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
A due south aspect places Gouverneur on the Caribbean flank of the island. Sargassum rafts riding the easterly trades meet the windward shores first, so what turns up here has generally come round on a coastal current or arrived during a spell of unusual wind. The bay is affected less often than the northern beaches, though it is never fully out of reach.
Its shape matters as well. Two rock points squeeze the entrance, so anything drifting inside leaves slowly, particularly in light wind. A deposit also shows plainly because the sand is bare, with no low vegetation along the shoreline to break the line up. With no shop or rental hut on site, the morning check is worth the few seconds it takes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Anse du Gouverneur get much sargassum?
Less than the northern shore. It faces south, off the axis of the trade winds, so weed generally arrives by way of a coastal current or during an unusual spell of wind rather than directly.
How do I check Gouverneur before driving down?
Read this page in the morning. The 0 to 5 rating and the FanGass map are recalculated daily for Gouverneur, which saves you starting down the switchback road for nothing.
Are there facilities on the beach if weed has landed?
No shop, bar or rental stand borders the sand, and there is no built shelter. If a deposit is there you simply drive back out, which is the reason to check the reading beforehand.
Which beach should I try if Gouverneur is covered?
Grande Saline sits on the same southern coast, a short drive away, and appears on the same map. If the whole south side is affected, the western coves offer a different exposure.