Sargassum at Guana Bay: today's east coast report
Light
Some weed
Guana Bay faces due east on the Atlantic side of Sint Maarten, southeast of Philipsburg and Great Bay. This page follows sargassum at Guana Bay with the condition observed that morning, a rating from 0 to 5, and a map showing where the beach stands in relation to the neighbouring bays.
On a windward shore the daily reading matters more than elsewhere, because the picture can change within a day. The report goes out every morning. The notes below cover the local mechanics: why this beach sits in the front line, and how it tends to clear again.
Guana Bay on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Guana Bay takes the trade winds head on. Sargassum rafts drift from east to west across the tropical Atlantic, and east-facing shores meet them first on every pass. Direct exposure cuts both ways. The beach receives arrivals early, but the swell that rolls in unobstructed also carries part of the weed back out once the wind eases or shifts.
The bay is known for a heavy shore break and for rip currents reported by regulars, a safety matter in its own right and separate from the weed. During an active spell the high-water line loads up quickly and a decomposition smell can settle at the back of the bay. Two days later the same sand can be clean, which is exactly why the rating is taken daily.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Guana Bay get more sargassum than the south coast?
It opens due east into the trade winds. Rafts crossing the Atlantic reach east-facing shores first, while the island's central ridge shelters the Caribbean side only a few kilometres away.
How do I check Guana Bay on the day?
The FanGass map shows a 0 to 5 rating and the observed condition for Guana Bay, refreshed every morning. On a windward beach that check is worth making before you drive out.
When is the east coast of Sint Maarten most affected?
Spring and summer months carry the bulk of the arrivals, with big swings from one year to the next. Outside those months the east coast can stay clear for weeks at a time.
Is swimming straightforward at Guana Bay?
The beach is known for a strong shore break and rip currents, so the swimming question stands on its own regardless of weed, and even more so when an easterly swell is running.