Sargassum at Friar's Bay: today's beach conditions
Clear
All clear
Friar's Bay is a small pocket of sand on the Caribbean coast of Saint-Martin, between Marigot and Grand-Case. A side road drops into it through the hills, and the beach holds a short curve closed at either end by rocky points that frame the whole cove.
You get the reading on sargassum at Friar's Bay for today: a 0 to 5 rating, a summary of what has been observed, and a map placing the cove among the other beaches we track on Saint-Martin. The check is redone every morning of the year.
Plage de Friar's Bay on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
The bay opens north-west on the leeward flank, so the easterly trades cross the hills and blow from land to sea here. That pattern nudges floating weed away from the shore rather than onto it, and most rafts moving past Saint-Martin travel down the Atlantic face instead.
Scale still matters when reading conditions: on a curve this short, a modest landing takes up a visible share of the sand, and the two points framing the bay hold what does come in rather than letting it drift back out. North-westerly swell is the pattern worth watching, since it pushes straight into the mouth of the cove and keeps the weed inside.
Frequently asked questions
Is Friar's Bay sheltered from sargassum?
Its north-west opening puts it on the leeward side of the trade winds, which keeps most arrivals away. The closed pocket shape does leave it sensitive to north-westerly swell pushing weed inside.
How can I tell the beach is clear before I drive down?
Check the FanGass page for Friar's Bay when you wake up: a 0 to 5 rating, a description of what was observed and a map of neighbouring beaches, refreshed at the start of each morning.
Why does a small landing look so noticeable here?
The beach is short and hemmed in by two points. An amount of weed that would go unnoticed along a long bay covers a real share of this sand and takes longer to clear out again.
Can I walk to Happy Bay from Friar's Bay?
Yes, a coastal path crosses the northern point and reaches Happy Bay in a few minutes on foot. The two coves share an exposure, though their daily ratings can still differ from one another.