Sargassum at Anse Dufour (Les Anses-d'Arlet): today's report
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Anse Dufour is a pocket cove in the north of Les Anses-d'Arlet, on the Caribbean side of Martinique. A hairpin road drops down to a small fishing hamlet, with boats pulled up on the sand and seagrass beds a few strokes offshore, known for turtle sightings. The beach is short, framed by hills on both sides, and the road stops where the sand begins.
This page follows sargassum at Anse Dufour: today's situation, a 0 to 5 rating covering the sand and the water's edge, and a map placing the cove among its neighbours. The update lands every morning, early.
Anse Dufour on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
The cove opens due west, on the leeward flank of the island. Sargassum rafts pushed by the trade winds hit Martinique from the east and only reach this coast after rounding a headland, thinned out along the way, so episodes here are rarer and shorter than on the Atlantic shore.
Shape matters as much as aspect. Anse Dufour is wedged between two steep hills, with a narrow mouth and a very short strip of sand. Whatever drifts in has little room to spread: a modest amount that would pass unnoticed elsewhere is obvious here, and choppy water can wedge it into one corner of the bay. The seagrass close to shore also traps floating fragments, which makes a look at the waterline worthwhile before you swim.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Anse Dufour see less sargassum than east coast beaches?
It faces west, on the sheltered side of Martinique. Rafts carried by the easterly trade winds reach the Atlantic coast first, and only a reduced share works its way around the island as far as this cove.
How can I check the cove before driving down?
Look at the FanGass map before you take the switchback road. Anse Dufour carries its own 0 to 5 rating, refreshed each morning, describing the sand and the edge of the water.
Does a small amount of weed matter more in a cove this size?
Yes. With a short beach and a tight bay, even a limited deposit covers a visible share of the shoreline and tends to settle exactly where you would walk into the sea.
Can I switch to Anse Noire on the same trip?
Yes, the two coves are neighbours and a footpath crosses the hill between them. Each gets a separate daily rating on the map, so you can compare them and decide on the spot.