Wondering if you should book your ticket to Guadeloupe because you've heard about sargassum 🌱?
Or maybe you've already booked, and you're worried about whether there will be any during your stay and whether this will spoil your vacation?
No need to panic. Yes, sargassum exists, but no, they won't turn your trip into a nightmare 😊 Guadeloupe remains a dream destination, even when they're around.
👉 The key is to understand when they can appear, where they end up, and above all how to avoid them. And the good news is that there are always sargassum-free beaches, whatever the time of year.
What is sargassum?
Sargassum is a floating algae that has always existed naturally in the Atlantic. They play an essential role in biodiversity, serving as nurseries for numerous marine species.
In recent years, their arrival has become more frequent on Caribbean coasts, mainly because of :
- rising ocean temperatures
- and the intensification of agriculture in the Amazon, which enriches the ocean with nutrients that promote their growth.
In short, it's a natural phenomenon amplified by environmental changes.
A bit like brown algae in Brittany or jellyfish on the Côte d'Azur: we know they may appear, but no one can predict exactly when or where.
👉 Good news: when they run aground, local authorities get organized. Beaches are regularly cleaned and devices are installed to limit their impact.
When can sargassum appear in Guadeloupe?
The sargassum season varies from one year to the next, but it is generally observed in the following areas between August and September, sometimes a little before or a little after, depending on the current.
Key facts about Sargassum seasonality
- During the high tourist season (November to April), sargassum is very rare.
- Even in summer, not all beaches are concerned, far from it.
- The phenomenon is seasonal, irregular and localized.
ZeWelcome's opinion
Don't panic: it's not the whole island that's affected. You'll always find a sargassum-free beach in Guadeloupe to enjoy your sea bath!
How do you get around sargassum when it's there?
That's where it gets reassuring: there's still untouched areas, even at the height of the season.
Even if all our ZeWelcome villas have a swimming pool 💦, it's still great to be able to go to the beach and enjoy your vacation stress-free.
The good news is that when one beach is hit, another just a few minutes away can be perfectly clear.
Trade winds and currents mean that when one coast is affected, the opposite coast is not, and the archipelago offers such diversity that it's always possible to find a sargassum-free beach in Guadeloupe.
Beaches not affected by sargassum in Grande-Terre :
- Saint-François: Plage des Salines, Anse à la Gourde beach, Anse Tarare beach, Anse des châteaux beach
- Sainte-Anne: Plage du Bourg, Plage de la Caravelle (it may be exposed, but the beach is cleaned regularly)
- Port-Louis: Plage du Souffleur
- Anse Bertrand: Plage de l'Anse Laborde, Plage de la Chapelle
🔗 See our selection of villas in Grande Terre
Beaches not affected by sargassum in Basse-Terre :
- Bouillante : Thermes de Bouillante → perfect for snorkeling and relaxation
- Deshaies Grande Anse Beach or La Perle Beach
- Pointe Noire: Anse Caraïbes or Petite Anse Beach
- Sainte-Rose: Plage de Clugny, Anse des Îles, Plage des Amandiers
- Gourbeyre: Rivière-Sens beach
🔗 See our selection of villas in Basse-Terre
Beaches not affected by sargassum in Marie-Galante :
- All the beaches on Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante never have sargassum (Anse Canot, for example), and those near Grand Bourg very rarely (plage du bourg). When there is sargassum, it's mainly Capesterre that's most affected (the Plage de la Feuillère in particular).
🔗 See our selection of villas in Marie-Galante
Beaches not affected by sargassum in Les Saintes :
In Terre de Haut, the beaches of Petite Anse and Pain de sucre almost never have them, so you can go there with your eyes closed ☺️
👉 Discovering Les Saintes with ZeWelcome.
How do you know if a beach is affected?
The easiest way: consult the interactive sargassum monitoring map updated by DEAL or local authorities.
You can also follow alerts on the Facebook pages of town halls (very responsive!) or even Bulletin Meteo France Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthelemy.
Will sargassum spoil my vacation?
Let's be clear: no, There's always a peaceful place to swim in Guadeloupe.
You can totally adapt your itinerary. The archipelago is vast, with lots of coves, beaches, rivers, natural basins, hikes... and if ever a beach is hit..., another 15 minutes away is not. It's really geolocalized and temporary.
And between two sea baths, there's always rum, accras, waterfalls and the Saintes...
FAQ
No. It's very localized. One beach may be nickel plated, 5 minutes from another.
Between November and April, there are generally few or none.
The main beaches are not affected, so it's a great alternative all year round.
When some southern beaches are affected, northern beaches are not. So there's always a sargassum-free beach, whatever the weather conditions.
Only in cases of prolonged exposure. But for holidaymakers, there's no risk if you avoid the affected beaches.
Yes, a change in wind or current can clear a beach, sometimes in a matter of hours.
