Les Anses-d'Arlet

Grande Anse d'Arlet is a wide bay on the leeward coast with a village along it and a wooden pier running out from the church, so that from the water the church tower sits at the end of the jetty, which is the image the island uses most. The bay is calm and turtles feed on seagrass off the northern end, where snorkellers see them regularly. Petite Anse round the point is a smaller working fishing beach.

What to look for

• The church and pier - the tower framed at the head of the wooden jetty.
• The turtles - green turtles on the seagrass at the northern end of the bay.
• The calm bay - sheltered leeward water good for swimming.
• Petite Anse - the smaller working fishing beach around the point.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and calmest. Weekends and holidays fill the bay. Mornings are best for turtles and quiet.

Before you go

The bay is crowded with boats and swimmers in season and turtle-watching becomes a scrum. Parking in the village is very limited. Restaurant prices are high for what is served.

Nearby

Anse Dufour is north, and Les Trois-Îlets is northeast.

Key facts