Small enough to explore in a few days but varied enough to keep you busy for much longer, St Barts combines Caribbean beaches with French food, good shopping and a surprisingly rugged coastline. This St Barts travel guide covers how to get there, the best beaches, worthwhile activities and excursions, plus the most useful areas to consider when choosing where to stay.
About St Barts
St Barts, or Saint-Barthélemy, is a small French Caribbean island covering just 24 square kilometres. Gustavia is the main town, with popular areas such as Saint-Jean, Flamands and Grand Cul-de-Sac dotted around the coast. You’ll also spot hints of the island’s Swedish past around Gustavia, as St Barts was under Swedish rule from 1784 to 1878.
St Barts may be known for luxury hotels and beach clubs, but there’s plenty of nature too. Its protected marine reserve covers several bays and offshore islets, including Colombier Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac, making swimming, snorkelling and exploring the coastline a big part of any trip.
Travel to St Barts
Getting to St Barts is part of the adventure. The island’s tiny airport has a runway of just 650 metres, so you won’t find any direct long-haul flights landing here. Most travellers fly to nearby Sint Maarten and take a short connecting flight, although services also run from Antigua, Guadeloupe and San Juan.
Prefer to arrive by sea? Ferries run from St Maarten to Gustavia, with some crossings taking around 45 minutes. It’s worth checking the latest entry requirements for any island you’re travelling through before setting off.
Once you arrive, hiring a small car is one of the easiest ways to get around. Taxis are available, and scooters are another option for confident riders. Just be ready for St Barts’ steep hills, narrow roads and plenty of bends.
Beaches in St Bart
The beaches in St Bart each have their own vibe, so the best one really depends on how you want to spend the day.
Saint-Jean Beach is a great all-rounder, with calm water, watersports and places to eat nearby. Grand Cul-de-Sac has a shallow lagoon that’s ideal for swimming and water activities, while Lorient is popular with families and also has a section where surfers can catch a few waves.
For something quieter, try Saline Beach or Gouverneur, both good choices for a laid-back beach day away from the busier spots. Shell Beach, close to Gustavia, is another easy option and gets its name from the tiny shells scattered along the shore.
Colombier Beach is worth the extra effort, reached by boat or a roughly 30-minute walk and offering great swimming and snorkelling in the protected marine reserve, while surfers can head to Toiny or Anse des Cayes for stronger waves and wilder coastal scenery.
Things to do in St Barts
Some of the best Things to do in St Barts involve leaving the sunlounger behind for a few hours. Start with a wander around Gustavia, where you can browse the shops, stop for a coffee and spot reminders of the island’s Swedish past, including historic buildings and Fort Gustav.
Then, get out on the water. Snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and diving are all popular, with Grand Cul-de-Sac being an easy place to try watersports thanks to its shallow lagoon. Marigot is another lovely spot for a swim or snorkel in clear, protected water.
And don’t rush back to the hotel once the sun goes down. Gustavia and Saint-Jean have plenty of boutiques, restaurants and bars to explore, so keep a couple of evenings free for dinner, drinks and a wander around.
St Barts Excursions
Some of the best St Barts Excursions involve getting out on the water. Boat trips and water taxis can take you to quieter bays such as Colombier, with half-day and full-day options giving you plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling and exploring the coast.
A sailing trip is another fun way to see more of the island, especially if you’re short on time. Prefer to stay on dry land? Hike to Colombier Beach instead, or turn up the adventure with diving, windsurfing and trips to some of the island’s harder-to-reach coastal spots.
For more luxury escapes, check out our other guides!
Where to Stay in St Barts
Where you stay can give your St Barts trip a completely different feel. Saint-Jean is a handy choice for first-time visitors, putting beaches, restaurants and shops within easy reach. It’s also home to Eden Rock, which overlooks St Jean Bay.
If dinner, drinks and a bit of shopping are high on your holiday agenda, Gustavia is a great base. For something quieter, Grand Cul-de-Sac has a more relaxed feel, with its shallow lagoon, watersports and resorts such as Rosewood Le Guanahani.
Beach lovers should also consider Flamands, home to a long stretch of sand and Cheval Blanc St-Barth. And if you’d rather have more space to yourself, renting a villa is well worth considering, especially for families and groups who want their own kitchen, pool and somewhere to spread out.
