The 6 things to do in Saint-Barthélemy

Envy of heavenly beaches and sun? Direction les Antilles françaises to visit Saint-Barthélemy, a small Caribbean jewel!

Paradise destination, this small island of 25 km2, located north of the Guadeloupe , has become in the space of 30 years the destination of jet-set and billionaires from all over the world. Beyond the superficial image that this island of the French Antilles, Saint-Barthélemy – or Saint Barth for the intimates – still remains a very singular destination that still escapes mass tourism and deserves to be explored.

Discovery by Christophe Colomb In 1493 he baptized the island “Saint-Barthélemy” in honour of his brother, Bartoloméo. It was bought by France in 1674 by the Order of Malta, which had been its owner since 1651. After being ceded to the Sweden For a little over 90 years, this jewel of the Caribbean was then turned back to France and attached to Guadeloupe. Having so little resources, it was necessary to wait for the richissimo David Rockefeller buys a property of 27 hectares for the island to gain in reputation and become one of the emblems of the high-end tourist destination.

Between its fine sandy beaches, its small coves, its mountains, its turquoise blue sea... Visiting Saint-Barthélemy makes you dream and you will quickly understand why once you put your feet there! So what to see and do in Saint-Barthélemy? Follow the guide!

1. The beaches

You will have understood it, the island of Saint-Barthélemy attracts mainly for its paradise beaches. On the 22 beaches that you can discover if you come to visit Saint-Barthélemy, you will necessarily find the one that best matches your desires:

First there is the classic: Shell Beach . Located a few steps from the center of Gustavia, the capital, this beach owes its name to the many shells that you can find on site! Besides, it’s probably the best place to look at sunset .

Don’t miss ON ALL the years of Colombiar : Believe it or not, but the ancestor of Colombiar is the very definition of Paradise on Earth . This heavenly beach is sheltered from the eyes, but is therefore quite difficult to access. You will either take the boat or walk for about 20 minutes from Petite-Anse. If you are looking for a diving spot, this is also the ideal place for this kind of activity!

For one dive session , you can also go to Lorient , also appreciated by the surf lovers , who like to tame the wave to the anse des Cayes and the Anse Toiny. This last hides a natural swimming pool, just like Petit Cul-de-Sac, where you can swim in a clear water!

windsurfing practiced in Grand-Cul-De-Sac and Saint-Jean. You are rather looking for a place trendy and festive ? We advise you to direct yourself to Nikki Beach located in the Baie de Saint-Jean.

2. Gustavia

Capital of Saint-Barthélémy, Gustavia has everything from a charming little town: its red roof houses that blend perfectly into the decor, its heavenly beaches (such as Shell Beach or Grand-Galet), its cafés where good mood reigns, but also its marina that animates a whole population.

If you come to visit Saint-Barthélémy and you decide to stop in Gustavia, plan a little time on the spot because there is something to take care of! The island has some historical monuments and many are in this city:

House of Governors and Dinzey House

You will discover the House of Governors, which was until December 13, 2001 the Town Hall of the capital.

This building was built during the Swedish colonization, as a customs administration, during the occupation by the Compagnie des Indes at the end of the 18th century and now has the title of a historic monument since 1995, as did the Dinzey House, known as Le Brigantin, whose architecture also merits it.

Fort Gustav and Fort Karl

On the way back to the street of the old town hall, you can see the beautiful lighthouse of Gustavia and its canons, nestled at the top of Fort Gustav, which reserves you a view of the whole city and perhaps even to the islands of Saint Kitts and Saint-Eustatius if the weather is key! If you like this kind of place, Karl , located opposite, will also offer you an exceptional view of Gustavia.

Les Églises et l’Ancre

Your journey to Gustavia does not stop there since you have not yet visited the former presbytery of the Catholic Church “Our Lady of the Assumption”, the Anglicane Church, the 10-ton increment located in the Place de la Rétrocession, as well as the Swedish Clocher of Gustavia, although very damaged after the passage of the hurricane Irma .

The Wall House

Finally, if you come to visit Saint-Barthélémy and you are rather museum, there is the Wall House , which is no other than the territorial museum of Gustavia, where you can learn a little more about the history of Saint-Barth.

3. A boat ride

Another great must in your stay in Saint-Barthélémy could be found in boat rental ! Indeed, by sailing on its transparent waters, you will have the opportunity to take a step back from the island, to better observe its sublime beaches and green mountains.

You can also enjoy it to let you navigate on the side of its charming fishing villages...

4. Corossol and Flemish

If you come to visit Saint-Barthélemy and are looking for authenticity, it is towards Corossol and Flemish you have to go! Corossol is a small village of sinners where women continue to make handicraft articles of latanier leaves such as baskets and hats.

It is also in Corossol that you will find the international shelling museum, inviting you to discover almost 9,000 shells! If you want to stretch your legs and have good shoes, a hike at the pass of the Tourmente in Saint-Jean can be a very good idea.

Flemish is a rural village that attracts both beach lovers and accustomed to looking for simplicity. Do not forget your mask and tuba because you might be tempted to dive into the beautiful bay.

5. Morne du Vitet

With 286 meters of altitude, Morne du Vitet is the highest point of the island. If you love nature and ask yourself to do in Saint-Barthélemy, this place should please you.

In addition to the nice hikes, you should meet on your path of charming traditional small boxes.

6. Holidays and festivals

If you think nothing is going on in Saint-Barthélémy, get out of here! There are activities on the island all year round, and for all tastes:

• Culture

In mid-January, and for two weeks, is organized a music festival where you can mainly listen to classical music in the churches of the island and jazz, and attend dance shows.

There is also the St. Barth Film Festival and the Theatre Festival in April and May: the opportunity to discover or rediscover Caribbean cinema or local theatre troops.

• Cuisine

Do you like tasting local food? Know that a gastronomy festival, formerly known as Taste of Saint-Barth, gourmet festival, is held every year in November. You can then discover the kitchens of the partner establishments of the event and eat local!

• Sport

Nautical activities are a true religion in Saint-Barthélemy and at least three regattas are organized each year, competing hundreds of boats.

• Local holidays

If you come to visit Saint-Barthélemy during February-March, you can attend the Carnival of Gustavia. On the programme: street shows and parades...

On August 24, it is also the Saint-Barthélemy on all the islands of Guadeloupe. You will attend local protests with fireworks, balls, regattas...

How to visit Saint-Barthélemy?

The only way to visit Saint-Barthélemy from the metropolis is by air . As the airport of Saint-Barthélemy can only accommodate small planes, you will have to go through La Guadeloupe or Saint Martin. The trip costs relatively expensive (about 600 euros) and lasts about 11h, with a stopover. To compare prices of flights, you can go to the site Ulysses .

If you are already in the Caribbean, know that it is also possible to go there by boat since Saint Martin .

Good to know: In Saint-Barthélemy there is no public transport. So you'll have to travel by taxi or rent a vehicle (motor, scooter or car).

Where to stay in Saint-Barthélemy?

If you are visiting Saint-Barthélemy, you must know that you will not find campsites or holiday cottages. The island has its reputation as a top-of-the-range destination, thanks to the luxury hotel establishments it offers. You will find small 4 or 5-star hotels in the most touristic places, or in more remote corners of the island for more authenticity. This is Compare hotels can help you make your choice to stay in Saint-Barthélemy.

At the localization level, Gustavia favours and the proximity to the beautiful beaches of the island like the ancestor of Colombiar, the ancestor of Les Cayes or Saint-Jean: to choose your foot on the ground in Saint Barth, do not miss to take a look at our article « In which town house in Saint-Barthélemy? “