Anse des Cayes
A north coast bay where the island's surfers go when the swell is running.
Updated 3 September 2026
Anse des Cayes is a small bay on the north coast between Flamands and Saint-Jean, half sand and half rock, and it is where people surf when a northerly swell comes in through the winter. Houses climb the slope behind it. The bay is unremarkable when the sea is flat, which is why it stays quiet outside the swell season, and there is nothing built on the sand.
The landscape
- The surf break - the wave that works on a northerly swell.
- The mixed shore - sand at one end, rock at the other.
- The hillside houses - the slope behind the bay built up above it.
- The quiet - a beach empty when there is no swell running.
When to go
December to April is the dry high season and the winter swell window. The bay is flat and quiet the rest of the year. June to November is the hurricane season.
Before you go
There is no lifeguard and the rocks at one end are a hazard in surf. Parking is very limited. There are no facilities on the beach.
Nearby
Flamands is west, and Saint-Jean is east.
What to pack for Anse des Cayes
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- Secure water shoes or reef boots - Grip on slippery launches and protection on rocky shores. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
