Sargassum at Plage des Raisins-Clairs, Saint-François: today's picture
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Plage des Raisins-Clairs is the main beach of Saint-François, just west of the town and its marina on the south coast of Grande-Terre. The name comes from the sea grape trees holding the top of the sand, and residents use it as much as visitors do. It sits within walking distance of the marina and the town centre, so it stays busy through the day.
This page follows sargassum at Raisins-Clairs: a score from 0 to 5, a note on what the water's edge looks like, and a map that sets the beach between Sainte-Anne and Pointe des Châteaux. A new reading goes up every morning.
Plage des Raisins-Clairs on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Saint-François sits at the eastern end of Grande-Terre's south coast, close to where the shoreline swings north towards Pointe des Châteaux and open ocean. Position counts: rafts driven by the easterly trades meet the archipelago on this side before tracking west. The leeward Caribbean shore of Basse-Terre works the other way round, with landings staying exceptional.
In front of Raisins-Clairs, a reef holds a shallow lagoon and keeps the inshore water calm. The shelter is real for swell and only partial for weed: whatever crosses the reef then moves slowly along the shoreline. Outcomes hang less on the season than on the wind angle of the preceding days, so a daily reading tells you more here than any seasonal average would.
Frequently asked questions
How often is Raisins-Clairs affected?
The beach opens south east onto the Atlantic, within reach of the trade winds that push rafts towards Guadeloupe. Frequency follows offshore episodes, which a daily score captures better than any average.
How do I check the beach on the day?
The FanGass map posts a score from 0 to 5 each morning for Raisins-Clairs and for neighbouring beaches in Saint-François and Sainte-Anne, so you can decide at the last minute.
Does the lagoon protect the beach?
Partly. The reef breaks the swell and holds rafts offshore, yet whatever crosses it then sits in shallow water with little current to carry it back out towards the open sea.
Where else can I try around Saint-François?
The coves out towards Pointe des Châteaux, or the Sainte-Anne beaches to the west, often read differently on the same day. Compare the scores before choosing which way to drive.