Beach Updates

[Aipotu]

Anyone know the status of Saline? Was there a few days ago and loaded with sargassum. Stayed anyway, of course, as it is magnificent in any state....Did Gouverneur yesterday and gorgeous. St. Jean is lovely as well. Hoping for Flamands tomorrow...

There today -- never, ever ever have I seen so much sargassum anywhere. Most of it was on the beach, but the left side is largely inaccessible; once you are in the water on the right side, it's generally fine, especially when the tide is going out. But a solid yard/meter wide strip on the beach most of the way, and probably 3-4 yards/meters on the left side.

 

[Freshhelen]

There today -- never, ever ever have I seen so much sargassum anywhere. Most of it was on the beach, but the left side is largely inaccessible; once you are in the water on the right side, it's generally fine, especially when the tide is going out. But a solid yard/meter wide strip on the beach most of the way, and probably 3-4 yards/meters on the left side.

Wow! Such a bummer. It's one of my fave places to swim. We're here another 2 weeks, so hopefully the status will change! Thanks for the info

 

[amyb]

You can expect daily shifts and changes. Be prepared with 2 beach destinations in mind while it lasts.

 

[cassidain]

You can expect daily shifts and changes. Be prepared with 2 beach destinations in mind while it lasts.

We're more villa pool than beach people, but I think the typical pattern is that if one side of island is impacted by sargassum beachings the opposite island side is likely not impacted. Right ?

 

[bobrosen]

We're more villa pool than beach people, but I think the typical pattern is that if one side of island is impacted by sargassum beachings the opposite island side is likely not impacted. Right ?

Well, I'm sure you've got a lot more experience than me, but that's absolutely been our experience over the years - the seaweed gets moved by the wind. If it's straight out of the east, St. Jean and Flamands are likely not great. If it shifts 10 or 20 degrees, Saline and Gouverneur get it - like that.

 

[Aipotu]

Gouverneur wasn't too bad today -- maybe medium-level coverage, but the length of the beach. We quickly popped over to Eden Rock and Nikki Beach. Rock side clear as can be; Nikki a good 2-3 foot barrier. That said, the water is fine once you're in it!

 

[Cwater]

That is the deal…there is always a clean beach. Just get in your car and drive. Love St. Barth!

 

[shihadehs]

Heading down in a week…we will find our beach, or we will find our villa. Just happy to be there

 

[Freshhelen]

Love St Barts too. Been coming for 20 years. Don't love sargassum. So before we make the drive to gouverneur or hike into saline, it's helpful to know if the beach is swimmable. To enjoy the view or read is fine, but if you love to swim, it matters. Saline was really basically inaccessible for swimming the other day and Gouverneur smelled pretty bad. I appreciate people sharing their insights before we head out. Yesterday at Flamands was glorious, in and out of the water! Enjoy!

 

[cassidain]

Saline was really basically inaccessible for swimming the other day and Gouverneur smelled pretty bad. I appreciate people sharing their insights before we head out. Yesterday at Flamands was glorious, in and out of the water! Enjoy!

makes sense. opposite sides of the island.

 

[cassidain]

So before we make the drive to gouverneur or hike into saline, it's helpful to know if the beach is swimmable.

You can try the Météo France forecasts. The map shows the mats of sargassum on the sea and the directions of their movement. Currently roughly SE to SW.

Bulletin de prevision d'echouement des sargasses pelagiques sur les Iles du Nord par Météo-France Guadeloupe

Retrouvez la carte des risques d'échouement des Sargasses, les prévisions pour les 4 prochains jours et la tendance pour les deux prochaines semaines.

meteofrance.gp

 

[jamiem4]

You can try the Météo France forecasts. The map shows the mats of sargassum on the sea and the directions of their movement. Currently roughly SE to SW.

Bulletin de prevision d'echouement des sargasses pelagiques sur les Iles du Nord par Météo-France Guadeloupe

Retrouvez la carte des risques d'échouement des Sargasses, les prévisions pour les 4 prochains jours et la tendance pour les deux prochaines semaines.

meteofrance.gp

Just flew in from San Juan. Lots of it headed towards the island.

 

[marybeth]

Saline is gorgeous today. They removed the weed piles from the beach and the water is clear. Nice breeze and easy surf. We’ll be hanging out here until our lunch date at Grain de Sel.

 

[cec1]

Very nice! Enjoy your lunch at Le Grain de Sel . . . and I'll be eager to read a report from you!

 

[amyb]

Saline is gorgeous today. They removed the weed piles from the beach and the water is clear. Nice breeze and easy surf. We’ll be hanging out here until our lunch date at Grain de Sel.
View attachment 72625

Perfect shot. You had my happy heart skip a beat.

 

[Freshhelen]

makes sense. opposite sides of the island.

Saline is spectacular today. Beach is basically cleared of sargassum and water is clear!

 

[Aipotu]

Ooo, the winds shifted overnight...et viola off L'Orient (with a lot more behind it...)

 

[Aipotu]

Not to belabor this topic, as we all know things change day by day, but flying out yesterday revealed a river of sargassum flowing toward St. Barths from the Northeast. St Jean and Flamands, which had been spared earlier in our trip, were covered with it, and much more on its way. Saline was pristine yesterday morning however.

 

[shihadehs]

Flying in this morning I observed some sargassum coming our way. Looking out our villa now the far end of St. Jean beach on other side of airport is completely covered.

 

[Freshhelen]

Any updates today? Looks as thought L'Orient, Flamands and St. Jean may still have good amounts of sargassum. Was at Gouverneur yesterday and it was fine. Despite being overrun by spring breakers....wow. Would love to get back to Saline today, but if I can't get in the water, it's a climb I don't need to make today. Any insights?