Saint Barthélemy

Petit Cul-de-Sac offers a secluded coastal experience along St Barts' northeastern shore, protected between two peninsulas. Unlike more developed beaches, this spot maintains an undeveloped shoreline with calm waters suitable for swimming and snorkelling, where sea turtle sightings are common. The beach's location — west of Grand Cul-de-Sac and southwest of Petit Étang lagoon — remains deliberately unmarked, contributing to its “hidden gem” status. Visitors typically arrive via a left turn past the salt pond when approaching from Toiny. This wild beach offers no commercial facilities, so make sure to pack some water and a picnic basket.

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.

Toiny Beach reveals St Barts’ untamed edge along its wind-lashed southeastern coast, where Atlantic swells crash onto a reef break too the endless delight of surfers. Marked as "Côte Sauvage" on old maps, this rugged crescent trades swimming safety for adrenaline-pumping waves — come prepared for rocky shallows and strong currents. The Toiny Beach Club provides creature comforts: a freshwater pool, restrooms, and seaside dining. It’s a fantastic destination after mornings spent beachcombing or watching the sunrise in solitude. Those headland views? Best enjoyed with toes in the sand and a cocktail in hand, far from the island’s busier shores.

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.