Plage de la Caravelle (Sainte-Anne): sargassum today
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Plage de la Caravelle runs west of the village of Sainte-Anne, on the south coast of Grande-Terre. It belongs to the stretch reaching from Sainte-Anne to Saint-François, where a shallow lagoon is held in behind a coral reef for a good distance.
Here you can follow sargassum at la Caravelle day by day: the 0 to 5 rating given to the beach, what has actually been observed, and a map of the south coast to size up the alternatives. It all refreshes each morning, at the hour when a beach day is decided.
Plage de la Caravelle on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
La Caravelle is classed on the Atlantic coast and faces south-east, in the most exposed part of Grande-Terre after the eastern shore itself. Rafts that round the island's eastern point track along this coastline next, so swell and easterly wind set the tone here week after week.
The lagoon changes that equation without cancelling it. The reef offshore stops part of what comes in and drains the energy from the swell, which limits heavy strandings. What does cross the reef line, at high water or in a strong swell, enters shallow water with little circulation: weed floats there for a long time, then banks up on the sand instead of drifting away. The daily rating reflects that balance between filter and trap.
Frequently asked questions
Is la Caravelle an exposed beach for sargassum?
It sits on the south coast of Grande-Terre facing south-east, in the path of rafts rounding the island's eastern point. The reef offshore holds part of them back, which softens the risk without removing it.
How do I find out the state of the beach before coming?
The FanGass map gives la Caravelle a 0 to 5 rating every morning, along with what has been observed. One look when you wake up is enough to choose between several Sainte-Anne beaches.
Does the lagoon really keep strandings out?
Partly. The reef filters some of what comes in, but lagoon water renews slowly, so anything that gets over the barrier settles and ends up on the sand, sometimes for longer than on an open beach.
Which other beaches should I look at around Sainte-Anne?
The stretch running on to Saint-François holds several lagoon beaches that behave differently. Compare their ratings on the map, because a few kilometres can be enough to change what is on the sand.