Sargassum at Plage du Galion: today's conditions
Light
A bit of weed
Plage du Galion sits on the east coast of French Saint-Martin, in the Baie de l'Embouchure area. This page reports sargassum at Le Galion for the day ahead: what has come ashore, a rating from 0 to 5, and a map of the surrounding stretch of coast.
The reading is renewed each morning. It gives the current level, the trend over the past few days and the nearby beaches worth comparing, which matters here: a windward shore responds quickly to shifts in swell and trade wind, sometimes within a single day.
Plage du Galion on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Le Galion opens due east onto the Atlantic. This is the windward face of Saint-Martin, the first the easterly trades reach, so sargassum rafts drifting in from open water arrive with nothing in their way. When an episode builds, this shore is among the earliest on the island to show it.
The bay has one feature that cuts both ways. A reef closes off much of the water, creating a shallow, unusually calm pool that families favour and kitesurfers use nearby. That same reef holds on to what gets past it: once weed is inside, it circulates back out to sea poorly and can linger for days. Reputation is no guide here, only the day's reading.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Plage du Galion get sargassum?
It faces due east into the Atlantic, straight into the trade winds that drive the rafts towards the island. With no high ground to shelter it, this beach is among the first on Saint-Martin to receive landings.
How can I check Le Galion before setting off?
Look at the FanGass map the same morning. Today's rating, from 0 to 5, sums up what has been observed on this beach, and the map immediately shows leeward alternatives on the west side.
Does the reef keep sargassum out of the bay?
No. The reef flattens the swell and creates the shallow pool, but it does not filter weed. Anything that crosses it stays inside the lagoon and can sit there for several days after a landing.
Where should I go if Le Galion is covered?
Switch to the Caribbean side, west of the island, which usually sits in the lee of the trades and receives rafts less often. Compare the day's ratings for those bays on the map first.