“Petite Anse”, beach and snorkeling in the village of Anses d’Arlet.

Welcome to the town of Anses d’Arlet, known for its seasonal villas, diving schools and restaurants by the sea. Like the other four beaches of the town, the beach of the village of Anses d’Arlet (Petite Anse) has a seabed of significant biodiversity around its rock, located close to 50 m from the shore. Bring your mask and snorkel to discover that !

To access to this beach (plan above), leaving from Fort-de-France, direction the South of the island (A1, N5 then D7A) and take the exit Trois Ilets (D7), cross the town of Trois Ilets, then go towards Anse à l’Âne, go past this beach and continue straight leading you to climb a dreary with many bends. You can also access to this beach through the town of the Diamant by taking the D7 that will take you through a roundabout with a sculpture of Lambi. Take the second exit, towards the beach of Petite Anse and you will see on your right a first parking to where you can park.

The parking is spacious and you will not have a hard time finding a place. You can also continue and try to find a place closer to the beach. Parking spaces are located along the beach and next to the seaside restaurants.

First tip:

During the high season, this is a popular beach holiday and it turns out that it gets pretty crowded over the morning. Therefore, leave early to arrive before 9 am so you do not have too much trouble to park nearby and easily and to have a place on the beach. There are not many shaded places and they are quickly taken.  If you arrive early you will have the opportunity to have the seabed just for you.

If you are parked in the large car park, it will take you two minutes walk to reach the beach that is easily accessible.

Shelters will be available by the sea if you want to have a picnic or get away from a possible rainy episode.

Approaching the beach, you will see a wooden pontoon but also the church “Saint Henri” of the town facing the sea and in the exact alignment of the pontoon. It is part of the religious heritage of the town of Anses d’Arlet.

A little of history …..

In the years 1660, in these places, there lived a dedicated chapel Saint Anthony of Padua. In 1973, a church replaced this chapel. At the beginning of the 1760s, the English burned the church and it was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century thanks to the help of Henri Larcher, a wealthy inhabitant of the region. In recognition, the church was named Saint Henri. The church was hit by Hurricane Dean and was completely restored to the identical in 2012.

As you can see in the photos above and below, the beach has some places in the shade. Do not forget to take and use the protections for children but also sunblock index 50, the sun can be harmful between 10 am and 2 pm.

During these times, you can go to the seaside restaurants where you will have the opportunity to taste lobster or other Creole dishes.

Do not forget your mask and snorquel….

Not far from the beach at 5o meters, you have a wonderful spot for snorkeling. An immersed rocks shelter a very important marine biodiversity which you will have the opportunity to observe while approaching you and going around it. Here’s a video preview of what you’ll see.

Click on the photo below !

It’s up to you to dive !

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Dom Loisirs et Culture at your service.

OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide.

The Dom Loisirs et Culture Team is comitted to protecting the biodiversity of overseas departments.