Description   

The bay of the town of Robert is a set of reefs located 3.5 km from the coast. It is almost closed, which allows it to protect the coast from the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It is 6.5 km long and 3 km wide. 

In addition to the reef, Le Havre du Robert is home to 10 islets. The Ti-Piton and Chardon islets, although little known, form between them a passage between the ocean and the bay that is only 20 meters deep. The Chancel (“chœur”) islet is the largest (80 hectares) and forms part of the management perimeter of the Conservatoire du littoral. It is, like the islet Loup Garou (“werewolf”), the islet Boisseau (“bushel”) and the islet Madame (“lady”), under biotope protection orders, which regulate their access. Important elements of biodiversity that must be preserved: 

• Chancel Islet: Lesser Antillean iguana (Iguana delicatissima), an endemic species. 

• Loup Garou Islet: unique model of a primitive Caribbean beach, sandbank, nesting beach for sea turtles; access is prohibited from September to December 

• Boisseau Islet: Protected bird sanctuary, this islet is closed to the public year-round 

• Madame Islet: magnificent cove, with dense vegetation and rich in fauna 

Named Le Havre du Robert, the bay is home to sea phanerogams on its sandy bottoms, but also mangroves along the approximately 5,500 meters of coastline, the remainder having been formed from shoreline-dependent trees and shrubs. 
 

Biodiversity

Given its position between reefs, coasts, mangroves and forested areas, the biodiversity of Robert’s Bay is rich and varied. 

The reef is home to a variety of marine animals that depend on this environment, as well as the Thalassia testudinum seagrass known as turtlegrass, or even the seagrass known as manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme), also widespread in warm, shallow waters. 

In the mangrove are present the different species of mangrove trees as well as the rich fauna that moves there to nest, spawn or grow. 

Ecotourism potential

Le Havre du Robert ne dispose pas réellement de plage, mais ses îlets en abritent.  les marrés et le courant sont très faibles.  Aussi, les divers îlets formants de très belles plages de sable blanc accueillent les visiteurs et permettent la découverte des fonds marins et des fonds blancs une particularité de la Martinique.  

Les fonds blancs se situent en Martinique sur la côte atlantique Sud, de Sainte Anne au Robert. Ce sont des zones où la mer est peu profonde bien qu’elles soient à plusieurs kilomètres de la côte, le sable y est très clair expliquant l’appellation « fond blanc ».  

Plus tranquille que les fonds blancs du François, le fond blanc du Robert, également appelé “Baignoire de Trapèze ». 

Coté terre, le premier itinéraire de grande randonnée de l’île : « Sentier littoral nord atlantique » a été inauguré en 2020 après de nombreuses rénovations.  Long de 45 km, il est prévu pour être effectué en 5 jours. Sans réelle difficulté, il s’articule autour du littoral et permet de découvrir sa beauté et sa singularité, il arpente les communes de Basse-Pointe et du Robert.