Sargassum at Grande-Anse (Deshaies): today's beach report
Clear
Pristine, dive in
Grande-Anse stretches its wide ochre sand along the western shore of Basse-Terre, just north of the village of Deshaies. It ranks among the largest beaches on Guadeloupe's Leeward Coast, and sargassum is usually the first thing visitors want to check before driving over.
This page tracks the daily sargassum situation at Grande-Anse: a rating from 0 to 5, a short read on what is happening, and a map placing the beach within its stretch of coast. The report is rebuilt every morning, so you get today's picture rather than last week's holiday photos.
Grande-Anse on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Grande-Anse faces due west, out toward the Caribbean Sea. That puts it on the sheltered side of the island, downwind of the easterly trade winds that push sargassum rafts toward the Atlantic shores. In practice, the Leeward Coast sees far fewer heavy landings than southern Grande-Terre or the windward beaches.
Two things still deserve attention. The bay is broad and open rather than tightly enclosed, so a raft rounding the northern tip of Basse-Terre can drift in and pile up in one corner of the sand. Winter also brings north-westerly swell, which stirs the shoreline and moves whatever is floating. The daily score is what tells you which of those days you are getting.
Frequently asked questions
Does Grande-Anse get much sargassum?
Much less than Guadeloupe's Atlantic beaches. Its west-facing position keeps it downwind of the trade winds that carry the rafts, though seaweed can still drift around the north of Basse-Terre and settle here.
How do I check Grande-Anse before heading over?
Open the FanGass map on the morning of your visit. The beach gets a rating from 0 to 5 with a short comment, refreshed every morning, so look at it before you load the car.
When is sargassum most likely around Deshaies?
Caribbean arrivals usually run from spring into autumn, peaking between May and September. On the Leeward Coast that season raises the odds rather than guaranteeing anything, which is why the daily rating matters.
Which nearby beaches can I compare it with?
La Perle and Anse Rifflet sit a few kilometres north with the same westerly exposure. Each has its own FanGass page and its own daily score, handy when swell conditions differ along the coast.