St Martin Nature Reserve

Name: National Nature Reserve
Item: National Nature Reserve
Author: We Love Saint Martin

St Martin Nature reserve, which covers 3060 hectares, is located in the north-eastern part of the island. The largest area is the offshore part that stretches over 2900 hectares. The onshore part of the reserve covers rocky coasts, cliffs and beaches which are home to many wildlife animal species. Many seabirds such as, frigate birds, brown pelicans, Northen gannets, herons and many more, use the mangroves to make their nests. The mangroves are dominated by the “Red Mangrove”, which can be found in the salt ponds. Ponds and mangroves are highly productive biological systems that provide a safe haven for young crustaceans and fish.

Visitors can watch the numerous Iguanas feeding in the forests or basking on the rocks along the coast. As for mammals, such as mongooses, racoons and monkeys, they feed on crabs, small fish, eggs and fruits. The mangrove also provide food and shelter for the many bird species on our island. Around fifty species have been counted at St Martin Nature reserve.

Sea turtles also visit the numerous beaches between Anse Marcel and Grand Cayes and all the inlets, to lay their eggs. From January to May, the offshore zone is a gathering area for humpback whales who are particularly fond of the shallow water during the mating season. The coastal area is composed of various marine flowering plants and many coral formations. The trees and shrubs, like the coral reefs, provide shelter for species of starfish, sea urchins, lobster and conches.

And for fish species its not hard to find coffer-fish, grouper, surgeon fish, parrot-fish, red snapper, tarpon, barracuda and angelfish. Further out to sea, during the mating season from January to May, large dolphins and humpback whales can be observed.

The aim of the St Martin Nature Reserve is to naturally preserve the biodiversity and the potential of the wild, plant and marine life of the three ecosystems on St. Martin. The National Nature Reserve welcomes you to this special place where nature has been allowed to flourish and hopes that its natural riches will inspire you to respect our environment.

Réserve Nationale Naturelle de Saint-martin
Résidence les Acacias
Anse Marcel
97150 Saint-Martin

National Nature Reserve

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