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- Église Saint-Henri (the waterfront church) — That yellow-and-white bell tower poking out onto the sand is the town’s single best photo; it’s still an active parish church, a focal point for local life, and a great place to watch fishermen come and go at dusk.
- Le bourg / the village quay — The low-slung pastel houses, tiny cafés and the quay where skiffs tie up give you the real, lived-in feel of Les Anses d’Arlet; linger here to watch daily comings-and-goings and grab a coffee or a creole snack.
- Plage du Bourg (the village beach) — A gentle, shallow sweep of sand right under the church; perfect for a quick swim, beginner snorkeling off the rocks, or an easy sunset if you don’t want to drive to a major tourist beach.
- Anse Dufour — Small, soft-sand cove famous for clear water and regular
- Église Saint-Henri (the waterfront church) — That yellow-and-white bell tower poking out onto the sand is the town’s single best photo; it’s still an active parish church, a focal point for local life, and a great place to watch fishermen come and go at dusk.
- Le bourg / the village quay — The low-slung pastel houses, tiny cafés and the quay where skiffs tie up give you the real, lived-in feel of Les Anses d’Arlet; linger here to watch daily comings-and-goings and grab a coffee or a creole snack.
- Plage du Bourg (the village beach) — A gentle, shallow sweep of sand right under the church; perfect for a quick swim, beginner snorkeling off the rocks, or an easy sunset if you don’t want to drive to a major tourist beach.
- Anse Dufour — Small, soft-sand cove famous for clear water and regular turtle sightings; excellent snorkeling, a handful of beachfront restaurants, and a relaxed vibe — bring a mask and expect to share the water with sea life.
- Anse Noire — A tiny, dramatic black-sand cove sitting a quick walk from Dufour; the contrast in color and the protected reef make it a must-see, and the short path between the two beaches is a sweet little hike.
- Grande Anse — The largest public beach in the commune, with wider sand, a long shoreline for walks and good swimming when the swell is calm; locals come here for picnics and bigger afternoon hangs.
- Petite Anse — A quieter pocket beach tucked between rocky points; less busy than Grande Anse and great for a peaceful dip, birdwatching from the rocks and a touch of shoreline exploration.
- Short coastal trail between Anse Dufour and Anse Noire — Only minutes long but high on payoff: small cliff viewpoints, reef views and easy access to both coves. It’s the best way to get different perspectives of the bay on foot.
- Réserve Marine de la Baie des Anses-d’Arlet — The bay’s marine protection areas (marked locally) preserve reefs and sea turtles; visiting means mindful snorkeling/diving among healthy coral; you’ll notice signage and local rules — respect them and the experience is special.
- Fishermen’s quay & morning catch — Early mornings the quay is where local fishers land and sell their catch; watching that rhythm, buying the freshest poisson, or just chatting with the crew is the most honest cultural exchange you can have here.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.