Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville)

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Anse Couleuvre is a remote, north-coast surfing reef break best known for its powerful right-hand tube waves when a direct north swell connects. It is described as fairly exposed and notably uncommon in terms of working days, with the spot often running only rarely (around 1–2 sessions monthly). On the correct swell window, the wave becomes fast, hollow, and capable of producing right-hand tubing off the cliff base. Conditioning for this spot is strict: multiple notes emphasize it runs only with north swell, and swell timing/quality matters because it can be flat without the right north component. Even when it’s working, the reef is shallow and the transition zones include coral/reef sections plus rocks and sea urchins. As a result, the takeoff and the water are unforgiving—advanced surfers are required, and protective gear is strongly implied by the hazard profile. Wind is shaped largely by trade winds from the east, with the face often helped by natural shelter from volcanic cliffs and dense rainforest. Provider notes describe trade-wind conditions as relatively steady, with typical wind speeds in the mid-teens to mid-20s knots during the better months. The spot-level wind direction references east and south-east winds, aligning with the regional alizés pattern. Access and safety planning are essential. The approach involves rough, winding roads and/or a forest trail walk, with black sand at the beach and an immediate transition to reef and rock. The area is remote with no lifeguards on site and no dedicated rescue at the beach; communication can be difficult or absent, so avoid going alone and double-check swell forecasts before committing to the trip.

  • Tube machine on good north-swell days (often described as hollow/right-hand and very fast).
  • Needs confirmed north swell to avoid flat sessions.
  • Difficult, advanced setup: shallow reef/coral and hazards like sea urchins and sharp rocks.
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Highly regarded right-hand reef break with hollow/tubing waves on good days.
  • Cliffs/rainforest can help keep faces cleaner by blocking dominant trade winds.
  • Black sand, scenic jungle setting at the northern tip of the island.
Heads up
  • Works only with a north swell and has an infrequent swell window (about 1–2 sessions monthly).
  • Shallow reef/coral and sharp volcanic rocks with sea urchins create serious injury risk.
  • Remote access with no phone signal and limited rescue availability.
  • Can become extremely heavy and close out on too-large or too-westerly swell.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Trade winds from the east are the dominant influence; additional daytime sea-breeze influence may occur.
Reliability
high
Gust Factor
Steady — Often described as steady (less gusty variance than many tropical coastal spots).
Best Months
November, December, January, February, March
Shadow Zones
High volcanic cliffs and dense rainforest provide shelter from prevailing easterly trade winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Black volcanic sand.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Provider note conflicts with another provider describing big surf; overall, it’s rare to work, but when it does, the wave can be very powerful.
Launch
Small — Beach access with a short walk; narrow black sand beach with immediate transition to reef and rock.
Launch Difficulty
Easy — One provider rates launch difficulty easy; another rates it moderate due to narrow beach and immediate reef/rock transition.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–29 °C
Water Temperature
24–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 1mm neoprene top or lycra
Crowds by Season

Quiet during the week; can get busy with local surfers and hikers on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

June to November (hurricane and rainy season).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A rare, fairly exposed right-hand reef break on the north coast that does not work very often. It only runs with north swell, producing fast, hollow, tubing right waves off the cliff base on the good days (about 1–2 sessions monthly).

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
N
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
All tides
Shelter
Exposed — Spot-level notes describe it as fairly exposed overall, while provider notes also mention natural shelter from trade winds due to volcanic cliffs and surrounding rainforest.
Wind Effect
Surrounding cliffs help keep the face clean by blocking dominant trade winds; on the wrong swell, it may feel flat despite strong local conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can become extremely heavy and tends to close out if the swell is too large or too westerly.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Excellent wave quality on the correct swell window.
Wave Power
Very powerful — Powerful on the right north swell; can become dangerous on larger/less clean swell.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Hollow/right-tube on good days.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast, hollow sections.
Ride Length
Medium — Fast sections with a medium overall ride length when the north swell is clean.
Typical Ride Length
100–150 m
Ride Length Details
Long, fast sections when the North swell is clean; fast takeoff with sections that often tube.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) in the full forecast view.

Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
7–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
Direction
E97°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2513 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.0 m8s period
Temperature
27–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–1.0 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Rocks
  • Shallow reef sections
  • Sea urchins
  • Sharp volcanic rocks
  • Coral
  • Submerged boulders
  • Strong currents
  • Remote location
  • No phone signal (risk of being unable to get help)
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards on site.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Rescue is not indicated as available on site; the area is remote.
Emergency Info
No on-site lifeguards; rescue availability is described as no (spot providers) and rescue coordination is remote/limited in general for the area. Nearest medical facilities are in Saint-Pierre or Le Prêcheur, but access can be slow due to winding roads.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Described as a spot favored by local/experienced surfers; conditions are advanced and remote.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local peak. Because the spot is remote and reef/shallow, plan carefully before walking in and double-check the swell forecast.

Restrictions
  • Only works with a swell from the north.
Local Tips
  • Be careful with shallow water at the end—coral/rocks/urchins are present.
  • Check the swell forecast carefully; it can look flat without a direct north swell.
  • Be prepared for a total lack of cell service in the area.
  • If going, consider not going alone given the remote access and limited communications.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Saint-Pierre
Nearest Town
Le Prêcheur
Nearest Airport
Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) (~65 km)
Parking
Small parking area available at the end of the road; can fill up quickly on weekends.
Public Transport
Extremely limited; a rental car is essential for the northern extremity as buses are infrequent and may not serve trail access.
Access
Accessible by driving to the end of the D10 road past Le Prêcheur, followed by a short hike on a forest trail. Another described access route: follow the track just after Ceron on the North Caribbean Coast; the road is quite bad and sinuous, with a short walk (5–15 minutes) from the road. An alternative long hike is about 17 km (~6 hours) through jungle trails from Prêcheur or Grand’Riviere.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Picnic area
Accommodation
Far — Limited to small gîtes, eco-lodges, and seasonal rentals in the broader northern area; more formal hotels are farther south in Saint-Pierre or Schœlcher.
Food & Drink
No facilities at the beach; bring all water and food with you.
Equipment Rental:
Very limited immediate vicinity; visitors are advised to bring their own gear or rent from shops in the broader area (outside the immediate beach access).
Gear Storage
Not available at the beaches; most practitioners store equipment at their accommodation.
Gear Repair
No specialized repair shops in the northern tip; services are centered around the capital and southern marinas.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The northern tip of Martinique is rugged and volcanic, with rainforest backdrops and dramatic black-sand coastlines. The area is oriented toward seclusion, hiking, and nature-led experiences rather than large resort infrastructure.

Best time to visit: January to April for the driest weather and a mix of outdoor activities and beach time.
Habitation Céron2km

An old sugar estate featuring a historic park with a giant 300-year-old Zamana tree and chocolate workshops.

Saint-Pierre Ruins12km

The remains of the city destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Montagne Pelée.

Anse Couleuvre Hike0km

A scenic coastal trail through lush jungle connecting several remote black sand beaches.

Montagne Pelée Volcano Trek15km

Challenging hike to the summit of Martinique's active volcano with panoramic island views.

Chez Alice8km

Local Creole cuisine in Le Prêcheur.

Céron Garden exploration2km

Safe, shaded botanical walks suitable for all ages within the Habitation Céron estate.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville)?

The best overall months at Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) are November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville)?

Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) works with E, ESE winds.

What skill level is Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) suitable for?

Anse Couleuvre (Anse Belleville) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.