Anse Rifflet (Deshaies): today's sargassum status
Clear
All clear
Tucked between two rocky points north of Deshaies, Anse Rifflet is a small golden cove and the immediate neighbour of Plage de la Perle. Its modest size makes it a different proposition from the long beaches of Basse-Terre's Leeward Coast.
This page follows sargassum at Anse Rifflet day by day: a rating from 0 to 5, a description of what has been observed, and a map showing the cove among its neighbours. The bulletin is rebuilt each morning, before you set off and take the narrow road that drops down to the shore.
Anse Rifflet on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
The cove opens toward the sunset, onto the Caribbean Sea. This flank of Basse-Terre stays leeward: trade winds blow from the east and carry sargassum rafts toward Guadeloupe's Atlantic shores, well away from here. Heavy landings are the exception.
Cove geometry still matters. A short bay closed off by rock holds on to whatever enters it, because water turns over more slowly than along an open shoreline, and a modest amount of seaweed can cover a noticeable share of the sand. The rocky ends often clear first while the sandy middle is still working through it. That is why the daily rating describes what is on the shore right now, rather than a general trend for the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anse Rifflet exposed to sargassum?
Not much. Facing west, it sits on the sheltered side of Basse-Terre, away from the shores the trade winds sweep. That said, the cove is small, so even a light deposit is immediately visible.
How do I check the cove before going down?
Look at the FanGass map in the morning: Anse Rifflet carries a rating from 0 to 5 with a short daily comment, refreshed each morning. Worth doing before committing to the access road.
Why does a small cove clear more slowly?
The rocky points slow water exchange, so anything that drifts in lingers longer than it would on a straight beach, where swell and currents carry seaweed back out much more easily.
Which neighbouring beach should I compare?
Plage de la Perle, a few hundred metres away, is far more open and reacts differently. Comparing both daily ratings usually gives you a fallback within a very short drive.