100 metres off the beach: Le Radeau Bleu, our floating neighbour

Le Radeau Bleu is exactly what the name says: a 52 m² blue platform anchored in the middle of Anse Marcel bay, reachable only by boat or paddleboard from the beach. Once on board, you're at sea but on dry footing, with a panoramic view of the green hills, white sand and Caribbean horizon.

Rented by the day or half-day for groups of 2 to 12 people, it comes as a fully private booking — while you're on it, the raft is yours and yours alone.

There's nothing to bring. Stand-up paddleboards, tandem kayaks, masks, fins and snorkels, XXL floating mats: all the water gear waits for you on board. For breaks: a JBL Bluetooth speaker, a 66-litre cooler, welcome refreshments, and even Wi-Fi.

Fill the cooler with whatever you fancy — the crew also offers an optional gas BBQ, or meal delivery from partner restaurants around the bay.

The raft draws two kinds of groups. On one hand, families: the kids swim around the raft with confidence (shallow, sheltered water, with masks and fins on hand), and the parents truly relax. On the other, groups of friends or colleagues: the private booking format makes it an ideal playground for a birthday, a bachelor or hen party, or simply a day with friends that's a little out of the ordinary.

And because we're in Anse Marcel bay, the water stays calm at any hour — no swell, no stress, just the silence and the gentle lapping of the sea.

For couples, Le Radeau Bleu offers a Sunset Champagne Lovers package: two hours on the raft at sunset, with a champagne service. You arrive on the water, the sun drops gently behind the hills, and the bay runs through every shade of orange.

This is the option that makes you lose track of time. Ideal for a marriage proposal, a wedding anniversary, or simply because you deserve it.

If you ask us how best to spend a day at Anse Marcel, here's our programme: a jet ski tour with us in the morning, an afternoon on Le Radeau Bleu.

In the morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.), the sea is flat and the light is golden — the perfect window for a tour towards Maho Beach or the coast to Marigot. Adrenaline, scenery, the plane-spotting show at Juliana — you come back to the beach thrilled and pleasantly warmed up.

In the afternoon (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.) on the raft, the tempo flips entirely: naps on the floating mats, swimming, snorkeling above the bay's fish, music in the background. Two opposite moods, one place, and a day you won't forget. This is our local version of a complete Caribbean experience.

Le Radeau Bleu is booked directly on their website, leradeaubleu.com, or via WhatsApp. Book ahead, especially in high season (December to April), as the raft is rented to a single group at a time.

If you want to combine it with a jet ski tour in the morning, mention it when you reach out: we'll align the schedules so you arrive right on time for your raft check-in, with no wasted minutes.