Sargassum at Plage de la Chapelle (Anse-Bertrand): today's conditions
Clear
Chill
Plage de la Chapelle fills a cove in Anse-Bertrand, at the northern end of Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe. It opens west onto the Caribbean side, a short way from the cliffs that close off the top of the island.
What you get here is today's sargassum picture for this particular beach: the 0 to 5 rating, what the shoreline looks like this morning, and the map of the northern point. Everything is refreshed daily, which is enough to choose between two coves before you set off. The rating belongs to this cove alone, rather than being borrowed from the coast around it.
Plage de la Chapelle on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Two forces meet at this beach. One works in its favour: a westward opening puts it on the leeward flank, away from the trade winds that pin sargassum against the Atlantic face of the archipelago. The other adds a caveat, because Anse-Bertrand lies close to the northern tip of Grande-Terre, where currents bend around the land and can carry some material down into the western coves.
The cove itself is short, framed by rock, and shallow close to shore. That shape keeps the chop down, but a line of weed that comes in on a high tide stays visible until the next water movement lifts it out. Day to day results vary more than the broad logic of a leeward coast would suggest.
Frequently asked questions
How exposed is Plage de la Chapelle to sargassum?
Not very, thanks to its west-facing position on the leeward coast. Being close to the northern tip of Grande-Terre does leave it open to currents wrapping around the island during larger episodes.
How do I know if the beach is clear today?
The FanGass map gives Plage de la Chapelle a 0 to 5 score every morning, along with a description of the shore. Check it before you leave, since it is recalculated daily.
How does it compare with east coast beaches?
East coast beaches such as those at Le Moule take arrivals head on. Here, weed has to travel around the northern point first, which filters out most episodes and only lets a fraction through.
Are there other coves nearby to compare?
Yes. Anse-Bertrand and neighbouring Port-Louis string together several west-facing coves. Each carries its own daily rating on the map, which helps on mornings when only one of them is affected.