Sargassum at Petite Anse (Bouillante): today's conditions
Clear
Good to go
Petite Anse sits at the foot of the village of Bouillante, on the leeward coast of Basse-Terre. The sand is dark and volcanic, the beach faces due west toward the Caribbean Sea, and the same commune holds the Pigeon islets, one of the island's best known diving areas.
This page gathers what you need before driving down: the sargassum situation reported for Petite Anse, a 0 to 5 rating that sums it up at a glance, and a map placing the beach against the rest of the shoreline. Everything is refreshed every morning.
Petite Anse on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Petite Anse lies on the Caribbean side of Basse-Terre, which is the sheltered side. Trade winds blow from east to west and drive sargassum rafts onto the Atlantic-facing shores of the archipelago; the leeward coast, screened by the island's mountain spine, rarely takes those arrivals head on. That is the main reason this shore usually ranks among the least affected in Guadeloupe.
A few nuances still matter. A due west aspect leaves the beach open to swell from that quarter and to patches that have rounded the island from the south, an uncommon but real scenario during heavy episodes. The seabed drops away quickly off Bouillante and the shoreline is cut into small coves, so weed that does drift in tends to settle in a corner rather than leave on its own. Same day checking is what helps.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Petite Anse usually see less sargassum?
Because it sits on the leeward side of Basse-Terre. Easterly trade winds push the rafts onto Atlantic-facing shores, and the island's mountain ridge shields Bouillante from most of those arrivals throughout the year.
How do I check Petite Anse before driving over?
Use the FanGass map and the 0 to 5 rating shown on this page. It is refreshed every morning, so you can make the call over breakfast rather than once you reach the car park.
Is there a riskier season around Bouillante?
Caribbean influxes cluster between March and September, often peaking in summer. On the leeward coast the effect stays much weaker, although a large regional episode can still be noticed on these beaches.
Which nearby beaches can I compare Petite Anse with?
The other coves of the leeward coast, toward Malendure to the north or Vieux-Habitants to the south, share broadly the same exposure. The map lets you compare their daily ratings in seconds.