Sargassum at Plage du Bakoua (Les Trois-Îlets): today's beach report
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Plage du Bakoua sits on Pointe du Bout, in Les Trois-Îlets, along the southern shore of the Bay of Fort-de-France. It faces west, on the Caribbean side of Martinique, looking across the water at the capital and its ferry landing.
This page tracks sargassum at Plage du Bakoua day by day. You get the current rating from 0 to 5, a map showing how the seaweed is spread across the bay, and the same reading for nearby beaches. Everything is recalculated early each morning, so what you see reflects this morning's conditions rather than last week's photos.
Plage du Bakoua on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Bakoua faces the Caribbean Sea, the sheltered side of the island. Sargassum rafts drift in from the east on the trade winds and reach the Atlantic shore first. To arrive here they have to round the southern tip of Martinique, cross the Saint Lucia Channel and track back up the leeward coast, which is why landings on this side are less frequent, and usually thinner, than around Le Robert.
The west-facing position adds a second layer of shelter, since the beach turns its back on the prevailing wind and opens into the Bay of Fort-de-France, largely closed off by the Trois-Îlets peninsula. The trade-off is flushing: a bay renews its water more slowly than an open shore, so seaweed that does drift in can sit for a few days before it disperses. Daily readings matter more here than seasonal averages.
Frequently asked questions
Does Plage du Bakoua get much sargassum?
Less than the Atlantic coast. Sitting on the leeward side and facing west, it is only reached by rafts that have already rounded the south of the island, so episodes tend to be shorter and thinner.
How do I check the beach before walking down?
Open this page on the morning of your visit. The 0 to 5 rating and the map of the Bay of Fort-de-France are rebuilt daily at sunrise, with neighbouring beaches listed so you can compare in seconds.
Which beaches are close to Pointe du Bout?
Anse Mitan is a short walk away and Anse-à-l'Âne can be reached by road or by ferry. Both also face west, so when a mat enters the bay it is worth comparing their ratings before deciding.
Is there a worse season in Les Trois-Îlets?
Caribbean landings broadly cluster from spring to autumn, with peaks that shift from year to year. On this leeward shore, what really counts is the currents wrapping around Martinique, hence the daily check.