Top Spots to See on St. Barts

Not for the budget backpacker looking to do some beach bumming, St. Barthélemy in the French West Indies offers upscale getaways where the well-heeled enjoy luxury hotels before white-sand beaches, dining at trendy cafés, upscale shopping, and a nightlife scene with international flair.

Baie de St-Jean in St. Barts

Baie de St-Jean

Often compared to the beaches on the French Riviera, Baie de St-Jean draws in sun-worshippers with its long stretch of powdery sand that wraps around a sheltered cove. Calm aquamarine waters, protected by a coral reef, are great for snorkeling, while windsurfing is also a popular activity. While you can enjoy a tranquil day by renting a beach chair and enjoying the scenery, backed by rolling green hills, this isn't the most serene spot on the isle. Rather Baie de St-Jean is a hub to which crowds flock, also frequenting the nearby bars, restaurants, and hotels that look out onto the water.

Saline Beach in St. Barts

Saline Beach

Offering a drastically different beach experience, Saline Beach is where you go to get away from it all. Or at least most of it, as Saline is popular with nude sunbathers. But they usually keep things relatively discrete and there's enough room for the nude and non-nude visitors to enjoy the sands before an expansive bay. Saline´s golden sands touch on aquamarine waters in a haven without hotels, restaurants, or any signs of civilization that would intrude upon the feeling of seclusion. Though you will find a few restaurants serving lunch a five-minute drive from the haven.

Gustavia in St. Barts

Gustavia

The capital of St. Barts offers different experiences by day and night. When the sun is shining, you'll find a charming harbor town, visited by cruise ships with hordes of cruisers descending to explore the red-roofed town. They find restaurants specializing in French cuisine and a host of duty-free shopping options. At night the famed nightlife scene of St. Barts is on full display. Laid-back beach bars get more lively and nightclubs thump into the wee hours, often with celebrities and the jet-setters who frequent the exclusive hotspots.

Flamands Beach in St. Barts

Flamands Beach

Wider and quieter than most of the other seaside spots, Flamands Beach on the island's northwest coast offers relaxing days watching local fisherman at work with their nets. Though Flamands isn't removed from civilization, as there are nearby restaurants and facilities on offer. Not where you want to go for snorkeling, the waters are good for swimming when the waves are calm and suitable for surfing when the conditions kick up. For exploring a bit further afield, there's a hike from the beach to a dormant volcano.

Grand Cul de Sac in St. Barts

Grand Cul de Sac

One of the longest beaches on the island, Grand Cul de Sac is where you go for watersports, especially those that take advantage of the island breezes such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. The calm waters also make it a great place for kayaking through the reef-protected shallows and beyond. With so many activities, you can imagine this isn't the place to go for a secluded getaway. Instead, you'll usually find a nice mix of visitors and locals, drawn to the scenic shore that is near a nice number of casual eateries and some of the island's upscale hotels.

Shell Beach in St. Barts

Shell Beach

It's not hard to figure out what you might find on Shell Beach. Millions of them. And while many of the shells are strikingly similar, hunt around a little and you're apt to find some that are truly unique. So to take a break from the classic white sands that the Caribbean is famed for, this is a great option. And it's not just about shells, as there are sections of the beach that aren't covered in shells, and these areas are good for lounging or swimming in the aquamarine waters that lap against the shore.

Fort Gustav in St. Barts

Fort Gustav

There may be no image that more epitomizes an island escape than that of a historic lighthouse along a tropical shore. While much of Fort Gustav, which dates to the 1600s, lies in ruins, the lighthouse that's long kept sentry over the harbor still stands tall. There are also still some historic cannons up at the site, which offers wonderful views and great opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime photos.

Colombier Beach in St. Barts

Colombier Beach

If you're looking to get away from the crowds, Colombier Beach is a good choice. It's literally a “hidden beach” as it's not visible from most vantages above the steep trail that leads down to the shore. Your trek down the somewhat precarious path rewards you with a picturesque scene with dramatic rock formations, tranquil waters, and sublime views that epitomize an island getaway.


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