Saint Barthélemy

St Jean Beach stretches nearly a mile along St Barts' northern coast. It is both the island's longest and most popular beach. Its crescent shape splits naturally at the Eden Rock peninsula, creating two distinct zones. The eastern side is favoured by families and snorkellers, who take advantage of the calm waters of the eponymous bay. The western stretch attracts windsurfers, zooming around carried by the open swells. It’s also where you’ll find Nikki Beach — St Barts’ hottest party spot. St Jean is located right next to the island’s airport, where small planes fly low overhead, adding a dynamic element to the scenery without disrupting the beach’s appeal. Luxury hotels, including the iconic Eden Rock, line the shore, providing upscale amenities just steps from the sand.

Surfing on St Barts offers diverse conditions for all skill levels, with winter swells (November through March) delivering ideal waves up to 3.5 metres at spots like Lorient Beach. CaribWaterplay, operating since 1983 on St Jean Beach, provides lessons, gear rentals, and guided excursions — perfect for beginners learning basics or advanced surfers chasing reef breaks. Windsurfers thrive on consistent trade winds, from Grand Cul de Sac’s calm flats to Toiny’s challenging "Washing Machine" chop. Kitesurfers favor Grand Cul de Sac’s shallow, reef-protected bay for practicing tricks in steady breezes. Whether you’re renting gear or booking a pro instructor, St Barts’ varied coastline ensures an adrenaline-packed session.

Saline Beach is St Barts’ untamed coastal masterpiece — a crescent of powdery sand where turquoise waves meet rugged hills in perfect harmony. The journey begins with a 200-metre trek through scrubland and over a low dune, rewarding visitors with a vista of undeveloped shoreline where the only distractions are seabirds and the rhythmic crash of surf. On a clear day, direct your gaze past the green dot of Île Coco and you'll just be able to spot St Kitts on the horizon. Come prepared: shade is scarce and facilities nonexistent. What you’ll find instead is raw beauty; the kind that draws naturists and photographers, all chasing that rare blend of wildness and tropical splendor. Time your visit for late afternoon when the light gilds the salt pond’s edges (the same salty pound that gave the beach its name), and you’ll understand why this beach remains the island’s best-kept escape.

Gouverneur Beach unfolds like a pirate’s treasure map come to life — a broad U-shaped bay framed by high cliffs, where the only footprints in the white sand might be your own. Reach it via a steep, turtle-crossed road (watch your step!) that spills onto one of St Barts’ most undisturbed shores. The southwest-facing cove offers great snorkelling, while the eastern end sees naturists embracing the solitude. The lack of amenities means you have to pack some essentials, but reward comes in spades: picnic-perfect sands, cliffside views from nearby Santa Fe restaurant (try their grilled lobster), and whispers of buried pirate gold beneath your beach towel.

Gustavia blends St Barts’ Swedish heritage with Caribbean flair, its pastel harbourfront lined with designer boutiques and cafés. For history and panoramas, hike Rue des Dinzey to Fort Karl, where 18th-century Swedish cannons and the ruins of a bottle-shaped lighthouse overlook Shell Beach and the marina. History lingers in every detail: from the ruins of the fort to the Wall House Museum’s island artefacts, Gustavia rewards slow exploration. Across the bay, the Gustavia Lighthouse offers a quieter escape. Locals and visitors often bring sunset picnics here, watching yachts navigate the harbour mouth. Time your visit for the monthly open-air market on Rue du Général de Gaulle, where straw hats and spices spill onto cobblestones.

Corossol Beach offers a window into St Barts' authentic soul. It’s a caramel-hued crescent where blue-and-orange fishing dories bob beside lobster traps, preserving the island's maritime heritage. This working harbour feels worlds away from the island's glamorous hotspots, with local artisans still weaving traditional palm-leaf baskets and hats outside their pastel cottages. The village behind the beach hums with unpolished charm: fishermen mend nets, volleyball games erupt spontaneously, and annual Saint Louis Day celebrations fill the air with Creole music. When hunger strikes, Le Régal serves up French-Caribbean flavours just steps from the salt-weathered docks. Come for the quiet rhythm of island life, stay for the sunset over the fishing fleet's silhouettes.

Sailing in St Barts unlocks the island’s coastline from a fresh perspective, with catamaran and motorboat charters available for half-day excursions or week-long adventures. Anchor off secluded Colombier Beach, picnic on Pinel Island, or enjoy chef-prepared meals aboard as the sun dips below the horizon. The island’s competitive sailing calendar peaks with spring regattas like the St Barth Bucket (March) and Les Voiles de St Barth (April), while November’s Cata Cup draws kitesurfing catamaran racers. Whether piloting your own yacht or chartering a crewed vessel, St Barts’ sheltered bays and trade winds cater to every nautical ambition.

Wall House Museum stands as Gustavia’s enigmatic Swedish-era relic, its thick stone walls harboring more questions than answers. Built between 1788-1790, this imposing structure’s original purpose remains debated — was it a theater, political hub, or rental property? Today, its ground floor displays a modest collection of island artifacts (fishing boats, oil lamps), while upstairs houses Gustavia’s historical library. The museum also organises several art exhibitions every year, with topics like contemporary art from Haiti and the Surrealist movement in France. Don’t miss the courtyard’s surviving brick bread oven, a quiet testament to daily life centuries ago. Though the exhibits won’t rewrite history books, the building itself offers a tangible connection to St Barts’ layered past. Pair a visit with sunset drinks at the nearby lighthouse for full time-travel effect.