Rough surf on North facing beaches yesterday

[Jim A]

Yesterday was kind of crazy due to storms in the area. The surf was coming up the steps of our villa on Lorient. We went for a walk on St Jean in the morning and the waves were coming all of the way up the walkway down from the street to Pearl Beach and A little past the bar. When we walked by, there were no chairs set up (not even any place to put them) and the restaurant had a few inches of water in it. We tried to walk down the beach toward Eden Rock but couldnt even get past Nao. Also, Looks like Nao is building some type of an extension from the restaurant out towards the sea or maybe a platform to put the chairs on?

we want to Saline and all was fine on that side of the island. Today looks a little better. Still rougher than usual but so far not like yesterday

 

[cec1]

Yesterday was kind of crazy due to storms in the area. The surf was coming up the steps of our villa on Lorient. We went for a walk on St Jean in the morning and the waves were coming all of the way up the walkway down from the street to Pearl Beach and A little past the bar. When we walked by, there were no chairs set up (not even any place to put them) and the restaurant had a few inches of water in it. We tried to walk down the beach toward Eden Rock but couldnt even get past Nao. Also, Looks like Nao is building some type of an extension from the restaurant out towards the sea or maybe a platform to put the chairs on?

we want to Saline and all was fine on that side of the island. Today looks a little better. Still rougher than usual but so far not like yesterday

Nao generally has some booths on the sand beneath the restaurant’s outermost row of tables. At least, when I was there several months ago, the restaurant parcel, at its sea-front edge, had a drop of about 10 feet down to the sand. So when seated at a table in this last row, parallel to the water, there were five or six semi-circular booths below . . . each seating 4 - 6 people.

. . . and yes — sea around Pearl Beach yesterday was very rough, with waves washing through the restaurant despite a low wall erected around it in a futile effort to keep it dry. The floor inside not only was wet with water washing over the wall, but there also was a good inch or more of sand inside. We, fortunately, were seated at rear of the restaurant where there are some tables elevated on a platform.

 

[cec1]

Surf also was strong yesterday at Toiny . . . a lot of surfers in the water there.

 

[elgreaux]

Flamands was rocking and rolling this morning as well, no surfers but a few body boarders enjoying the swells..

 

[Jim A]

here is what I was referring to at Nao. Just built this week because of the high surf. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to have any lounge chairs in front. Still can’t really walk in front of Nao without getting wet above your ankles (not that it’s a problem because it’s the beach!) and also Eden Rock only has about 10 lounge chairs in the sand with the rest up by the frose’ bar due to the high surf.

Nao new deck:

 

[MDC]

Wow! The deck a Nao was built quickly. When we arrived two weeks ago, the deck did not exist. Only the exposed roots of the palms that you can see under the deck in the photo, and no way to access the restaurant from the beach.

 

[Hawke]

Surf also was strong yesterday at Toiny . . . a lot of surfers in the water there.
View attachment 69575

Good body surfing.

 

[apd77]

How was the surf today? Calmer?? Sargassum?

 

[Libt]

No sargassum at Colombier, Petite Anse, or Flamands , all's clear.

 

[Jim A]

How was the surf today? Calmer?? Sargassum?

Sargassum was All good all week at all of the beaches that we went to.

 

[steelpe]

Deck looks like a disaster waiting to happen. You couldn't pay me to stand on that thing.

 

[dadto6]

Not one strand of sargassum did I see the entire week. But I know sadly it will be back

 

[amyb]

Not one strand of sargassum did I see the entire week. But I know sadly it will be back

So darn nice not to have to worry about a soiled beach. Luckily, there are many others to choose from if “S” happens.

 

[fredericaju]

Hello ! we arrive at the beginning of March in St Barthélemy. I'm looking for a beginner's surf spot, do you have any advice? I saw on https://blogdesurf.fr/ that the “Lorient” spot was accessible. What do you think?

 

[EC Traveler]

Lorient is probably the best surf spot on St. Barths. There’s also a surf shack there that gives lessons. The break is decent in certain condition. The best spot is on the West side of the beach in front of the reef. Parking can be difficult here, but you can park on the side of the road just past the Cemetery. There’s also a small car park in that area.
Occasionally, swells make it into Baie St. Jean between the two reefs. Wind and kite surfing is very popular here.

 

[elgreaux]

People also surf in Toiny off the beach by Le Toiny Hotel... you might want to start with the island expert: www.surfstbarth.com/our-team...
David Blanchard: david.blanchard.sbh@gmail.com

 

[cec1]

People also surf in Toiny off the beach by Le Toiny Hotel... you might want to start with the island expert: www.surfstbarth.com/our-team...
David Blanchard: david.blanchard.sbh@gmail.com

My impression is that Toiny probably isn’t a “beginner’s surf spot,” with its purported dangerous currents & undertow. But, I’m not a surfer, so could be misinformed.

 

[elgreaux]

My impression is that Toiny probably isn’t a “beginner’s surf spot,” with its purported dangerous currents & undertow. But, I’m not a surfer, so could be misinformed.

That's why I suggested they get in touch with David Blanchard, the island surf instructor par excellence. He'd be the one to go out there with....

 

[acatlin]

Deck looks like a disaster waiting to happen. You couldn't pay me to stand on that thing.

2x4-ish deck joists, no header and small post? No IBC knowledge or enforcement, it would seem. Poorly designed. Good luck with that!