Ile Fourchue

Between St Barts and St Martin, Fourchue raises its five arid peaks around a horseshoe anchorage - a privately-owned, publicly-cherished day islet inside the marine reserve, where charters moor for the classic split: snorkelling the cove's rays and reef fish, then scrambling the goat paths to ridge saddles whose views run both neighbouring islands and the anchorage's turquoise below. The islet is barren by drama - cactus, scree and wind - which is precisely the photographic point, and the reserve's moorings-only rules keep the seabed as the fish prefer it.

History

The island was once called Five Islands for its five peaks seen from afar, and it is known as the retreat of Balthazar Biguard, who came from Marseille fleeing the French Revolution, took Swedish citizenship and lived here apart from the world until his death in 1827 at the age of 85; he is buried on the island (Wikipedia, Île Fourchue).

Highlights

• The horseshoe anchorage - the cove's turquoise mooring field.
• The ridge scrambles - five-peak views over two islands.
• The cove snorkel - rays and reef fish under the hulls.
• The barren drama - cactus and scree in Atlantic light.

When to go

December to May for settled channels; mornings give the calm the cove's snorkelling wants.

Good to know

No shade, no facilities, sharp scree - hats, water and shoes are the kit; reserve rules (moorings, no take) are enforced and right.

Nearby

Gustavia's harbour, Flamands and the channel to St Martin.

Key facts