The blue eye (“oeil bleu”), a pool at the foot of Cap Ferré

Welcome to the town of Saint-Anne, located in the South of the island. The community of Sainte-Anne is known for its Club Med, its white sandy beaches located on its territory (Grande and Petite Anse des Salines, Anse Caritan, Anse Meunier, Anse Michel, ….). Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the territory of the town of Sainte-Anne offers many water activities because of its geolocation taking advantage of the wind of the Atlantic (Windsurf and Kite surf for example), pleasure and fishing on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

In its village, the town offers a covered market, restaurants and seaside and has in its center, a magnificent church (Church of Our Lady of St. Anne) listed monument. In terms of services, a post office, distributors, many shops and a gas station at the entrance of the town.

This territory takes advantage of its attractive environment to invite you to discover beaches, hiking and seabed.

The hike of “Cap Ferré” and the blue eye, natural basin, are part of this wealth. This section is part of this famous hike known as “The Trace of the Caps”. It can be broken down into 5 sections that add up, give a route of 27 kilometers with at least 11 to 12 hours of walking.

• Petit Macabou – Cap Macré (5 km, 2h),
• Cap Macré – Cap Chevalier (7 km, 3h),
• Cap Chevalier – Baie des Anglais (6 km, 2h30),
• Anse Trabaud – Salines (5 km, 2h),
• Salines – Anse Caritan (4,5 km, 1h30)

The Cap Ferré trail is a hike accessible to all the family of about 4 kilometers with a round-trip time of 1h30 to 2h from the start before the beach of Cap Macré to go to the Blue Eye. Count 6.5 kilometers with 3h30 to 4ho0 walk (return) to go to the beach of Anse Michel at Cap Chevalier. The elevation gain is low and you will only have to climb a few short climbs.

The Blue Eye is a small basin in Cape Ferré bordered by rocks protecting it from the waves. Some waves penetrate and give the impression of being in a natural Jacuzzi. This place is only accessible on foot from the Trace des Caps hike, starting from the beach of Cap Macré or from the different trails along this trail.

We chose to leave the road leading to the beach of Cap Macré to enjoy the different magnificent seaside panoramas between these two Caps.

Itinerary (Click on the picture)

Pour rejoindre le point de départ de la randonnée, partant de Fort-de-France, rejoignez la voie rapide A1 puis aller en direction du Sud de l’île (N5). vous allez passer par deux ronds-points sur la commune de Ducos (zones d’activités) puis deux autres ronds-points sur la commune de Rivière-Salée. Suivez la direction de la commune du Marin. Après avoir passé la commune de Sainte-Luce puis le bourg du Marin, prenez à droite en direction de la commune de Sainte-Anne (D9). Passez devant la gendarmerie et au rond-point, suivre la direction de la plage de Cap Macré (troisième sortie). Avancez jusqu’à la plage de Cap Macré en suivant les pancartes, jusqu’à voir à votre droite le poteau d’information et la carte de la trace des caps (photo ci-dessous) vous indiquant la direction du Cap Ferré. Ce panneau est situé sur la fin de votre retour 500 mètres avant d’arriver sur le parking de la plage de Cap Macré.

To join the starting point of the hike, starting from Fort-de-France, join the fast lane A1 then go towards the South of the island (N5). you will go through two roundabouts in the town of Ducos (activity zones) then two other roundabouts in the town of Rivière-Salée. Follow the direction of the municipality of Marin. After passing the town of Sainte-Luce then the village of Marin, turn right towards the town of Sainte-Anne (D9). Go past the gendarmerie and at the roundabout, follow the direction of Cap Macré beach (third exit). Advance to the beach of Cap Macré by following the signs, until you see on your right the information post and the map of the trace of the capes (photo below) telling you the direction of Cap Ferré. This sign is located on the end of your return 500 meters before arriving on the parking of the beach of Cap Macré.

The traffic is on a rather narrow road after the road D9 (do not forget to be courteous, we are not all pilots) with some unevenness. Once parked, the hike begins, you just have to follow the direction of Cap Ferré and the direction indication poles.

Be careful there are no parking space and you have to park where you can. You will not have too much trouble, early in the morning to find a place.

The start of the hike takes you to the waterfront Atlantic side with the opportunity to see many beautiful panoramas between the beach Cap Macré and Cap Ferré.

Take the path following the color codes and direction posts.

Advance on the path to find yourself in the woods towards. It will take you along already towards a first panorama on the waterfront.

Continue your way, Pass the beach of Anse La Rose, the path climbs to a magnificent panorama between Cap Macré and Cap Ferré.

Then the trail descends to undergrowth and backside vegetation. Here you are on the beach near the protected site of Cap Ferré.

Take the opportunity to swim there if you want to take a break to eat in the shade of grapes trees.

The rest of the hike continues behind the beach in order to get the sign indicating the direction from the point of view of Cap Ferré.

Follow the indications and go towards Cap Ferré to climb it and discover behind it, the blue eye (“oeil bleu“).

Climb Cap Ferré, and then you will have to go down the rocks to reach the natural basin.

The site is as beautiful as it is dangerous. If you wish to swim there, please take care to monitor the swell and the waves around the « pool ».

Advise you not to swim there because the waves can carry you away and accidents have already happened.

In addition, it is important to keep your sneakers so sea urchins do not sting you.

Be really careful!

Natural basin of the blue eye

You can also see our video on our YouTube channel from our hike to the blue eye. Click on the link.

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Dom Loisirs et Culture at your service.

OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide

The Dom Loisirs and Culture team is committed to raising awareness of the protection of the biodiversity of the overseas departments.