TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Shopping in Gustavia

The bustling Caribbean capital with a European twist is where discerning shoppers find high-end French and Italian fashion lines not available anywhere in the U.S. With 3 major shopping streets, including the harborside Quai de la République, nicknamed "rue du Couturier,” Gustavia rivals New York's Madison Avenue and Paris's Avenue Montaigne for its elegant displays and designer names. Among others, you'll find Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Richard Mille, Cartier, Chopard, and Dolce & Gabbana.

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The European twist to the Caribbean lifestyle in St Barts means Gustavia has excellent shopping, including high-end fashion, jewelry, and other luxury products. Shopping in Gustavia also includes good wine cellars and cute beach-chic boutiques.

Saint-Jean Beach

This is one of the most popular beaches on the island and is divided into two parts, one featuring beautiful turquoise waters and the other known for its lively beach bars and restaurants. It's a great spot for swimming and water sports.

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The most iconic beach on the island, Saint-Jean beach is the home of the Eden Rock Hotel and Spa and several world-famous beach bars. The beach is just a few minutes from Gustavia and is the best spot for celebrity spotting, water activities, and even watching planes touch down on the island's short runway. The calm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports.

Colombier Beach

As it is only accessible by boat or a 25-minute hike, the secluded Colombier Beach is one of the quietest beaches in St Barths. 

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Colombier Beach is a hidden gem on the island. Its remote location means it's often less crowded, and the clear waters are excellent for snorkeling. There are few amenities so remember to pack a picnic lunch — and don't leave without catching the sunset. 

Flamands Beach

One of the largest beaches in St Barts with plenty of palm trees for shade. A gentle rolling surf makes the sea fun for children.

Grand Cul De Sac

Some of the calmest waters in St Barts due to a broad protective coral reef. Popular with families. Large shallow lagoon makes it a hotspot for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing.

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This beach is located on the island's northeastern side and is known for its calm and shallow waters, making it an excellent spot for various water activities, including windsurfing and paddleboarding.

Saline Beach (Plage de Saline)

This beach is known for its natural beauty and seclusion. It's a bit more remote, so it tends to be less crowded. The wide stretch of soft white sand and crystal-clear waters make it ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

Gouverneur Beach (Plage de Gouverneur)

Gouverneur Beach offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea from its elevated position. It's known for its pristine sands and calm waters, making it perfect for a relaxing day by the sea.

Shell Beach (Plage de la Petite Anse)

This beach is unique because it has a rocky shoreline with numerous seashells, making it an interesting place to explore. It's a smaller beach but offers a tranquil atmosphere.

Flamands Beach (Plage des Flamands)

This long, crescent-shaped beach is known for its gentle waves and is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. There are also restaurants and hotels nearby for convenience.

Lorient Beach (Plage de Lorient)

Lorient Beach is known for its gentle waves and is popular among both locals and tourists. It's a great place for swimming and has nearby amenities like restaurants and shops.

Anse des Cayes

This beach is known for its strong waves and is a popular spot for surfing. It's a more rugged beach compared to some of the others on the island.

Anse Toiny

Anse Toiny is a quiet and secluded beach located on the southeastern coast. It's known for its natural beauty, but the waves can be strong, so it's not always suitable for swimming.

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TOP ACTIVITIES

Sailing & Yacht Charters 

The long-standing sailing traditions in St Barths mean guests can easily access a broad selection of sailing and motor yachts. Chartering a yacht is by far the best way to explore the island's many beaches, as well as the neighboring Leeward Islands, including Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St Martin. 

Watersports & Surfing

The great year-round weather and calm waters in St Barths make it perfect for water sports. Visitors enjoy a range of activities, including windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and scuba diving. St Barths has several great diving centers that make diving accessible for all levels. Surfers can enjoy Anse de Lorient and other spots on the East coast, with the best waves from November through to April.

Hiking

Being a volcanic island, St Barts has impressive cliffs and bays all around with easily noticeable hiking trails. The island offers many hidden gems for those who’re willing to walk and enjoy a little adventure.

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RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS

Orega

Orega is a restaurant in Gustativa that specializes in Japanese and French cuisine. The charming open-air terrace with a relaxed atmosphere is a must for sushi lovers. 

Bonito

With a location on the waterfront in Gustavia, Bonito offers serene views of the harbor. The cozy and welcoming nautical-chic restaurant has the best ceviche bar on the island and serves daily, locally-caught fish and shellfish specialties.

Bonito offers our signature French Pan-American cuisine – a combination mastered by Chef Owner Laurent Cantineaux. He is known for his innovative cuisine, crafted with French techniques, and his experience in the Americas across the last 28 years.

The restaurant is shaped by outstanding guest service led by General Manager and Owner Nicolas Gicquel. His leadership has designed an experience that will make guests feel like they are visiting friends, even during their first visit!

Tamarin

This popular restaurant in Grande Saline has a romantic tropical garden setting spread around a legendary tamarind tree. Open all day for international cuisine with a warm casual chic ambiance.

Nestling in a tropical garden, in the heart of lush vegetation hidden in the shadows of ten palm trees, the century-old Tamarind tree opens the doors to its enchanting park.

An imaginary setting for a unique tropical stopover.

Between banana trees, ylang-ylang, ponds, adorable turtles… We gladly stay long hours in this green setting where the warm atmosphere supremely reigns.

Colonial garden house, subtle lanterns, light effects, colorful ethnic cushions, familial or romantic tables, a timeless experience awaits you, to savor with friends and family.

La Petite Colombe

La Petite Colombe is a fantastic French bakery with locations in Anse de Lorient, Gustavia, and Colombier. Great for breakfast, lunch, or a delicious sweet treat during the day.

Santa Fe

Set just outside of Gustavia, this Fine-dining French restaurant has an eclectic menu with a variety of dishes, including excellent Asian and Caribbean seafood. With 2 terraces, Santa Fe is the only restaurant in Gouverneur with a panoramic view of neighboring islands.

L'Isola

Bringing the flavors and essence of Italian cuisine to St Barth, L’ISOLA is renowned for its sophisticated Italian recipes, prepared using only the very finest ingredients imported directly from Italy. An elegant restaurant plus a lovely warm ambiance adds up to a memorable culinary experience.

L'Esprit

At L'Esprit, harmony of flavors,  cleverly composed. Taste buds are at the party,  dancing on the  rhythm of delights.  Service attentive to your desires. High level gastronomy.  

A professional staff, smiling & effective.  Products of high quality,  divinely worked. An inventive cuisine, consistent fine,  delicate & solid.

La Guérite

In 2015, La Guérite decided to bring this success to the idyllic setting of Saint Barthélemy.

It is on the tip of the port of Gustavia, between fishing boats and yachts, that you can come and discover authentic Mediterranean cuisine, created by one of the prodigies of Greek gastronomy: Yiannis Kioroglou.

Ocean Club

Co-founder, Jarad McCarroll pairs freshly sourced ingredients with an extraordinary culinary programme to offer perfectly executed timeless classics. His signature dishes Tree of Life and Our Island are just some of the exquisite examples. 

The tantalising cuisine is matched with a dining experience second to none, with each table in the club offering views over the marina — at the Ocean Club there are only good tables.

Sand Bar

The Sand Bar is the culinary heart of the hotel and its unique setting represents St Barths' character and its laid-back beach style.

Setting the tone in the new colonial style atmosphere DJ and music playlists capture and evoke Eden Rock’s island vibes. The Sand offers a place for Gourmets wishing to enjoy refined well-balanced dishes whenever they feel like it.

La Cabane

With a décor imagined by Jacques Grange, as well as stunning views of Flamands Bay and a welcoming ambiance, La Cabane is the perfect beach restaurant for get-togethers in the sunshine. Featuring a refreshing Caesar Salad, the iconic Flamands burger and a new take on the artichoke salad with parmesan shavings, the menu will tantalise everyone’s taste buds.

Gyp Sea Beach Club

The Gyp Sea Beach Club in Saint Jean is the ideal spot to soak up the vibrant energy of St Barts. With its festive and laid-back atmosphere, the Beach Club offers an unforgettable beachfront experience. Savor delicious dishes inspired by local cuisine, and cool off with exotic cocktails! Special events, themed nights, and live entertainment further enhance this unique journey!

Nao Beach

In the heart of Saint-Jean Bay, NAO BEACH is an ode to the island's gentle way of life, its turquoise horizons and heavenly shores. A new beach club & restaurant where the sound of the waves and the warm Caribbean breeze lull you into a culinary & festive experience in Saint-Barthélemy.

Nikki Beach 

An extensive menu includes delectable dishes featuring signature tastes and spices representative of all the countries Nikki Beach is located, including delicious salads, creative sushi rolls, original seafood entrees and slow-roasted free-range rotisserie chicken. A calm lunchtime gathering with chilled-out beats can quickly turn into a party with large bottles of Perrier-Jouët with sparklers wedged in the cork. With uninterrupted views, Nikki Beach Saint Barth is the epitome of simplicity and boho-chic glamour.

Shellona 

Shellona welcomes you every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Facing the Caribbean Sea, where white sand and shells merge, Shellona brings together a most harmonious combination of what makes up the

Caribbean atmosphere and Mediterranean culture, mainly culinary qualities. The Greek restaurant Shellona combines authenticity and generosity while offering a place of life, far from established rules, where glasses are filled so that conversations never end.

Fish Corner 

In the heart of Gustavia is Fish Corner, a contemporary restaurant and bar with a tropical feel. Located a stone's throw from the Gustavia port promenade, the restaurant has a clear objective: to offer simple and precise recipes highlighting the freshness of the most refined seafood products.

Ti' Corail 

Ti’ Corail works like a foodtruck without wheels on the beach of the Grand Cul de Sac Lagoon.

Yann Vinsot, living in Saint-Barthélémy for 27 years, including 21 years in one of the most beautiful hotels on the island. In the summer of 2020, he met Turenne Laplace, a native of the island, who humbly rebuilt O’ Corail, his small establishment, on the beach of the Grand Cul de Sac lagoon with his own hands.

Turenne wished to revive this institution that his sister Odette had made shine a few years before. It is in this simple, authentic and sincere approach that Ti’ Corail was born in March 2021.

Le Toiny Beach Club 

For lunch, Hotel Le Toiny offers a delicious menu at the Beach Club, a hidden paradise on Toiny Bay. The menu rotates regularly and offers dishes based on fish, grilled meat and refreshing salads. Enjoy a truly relaxing feet in the sand, lunch under sea grape trees or "Paillottes." The beach club opens daily at 11am and lunch service starts at 12pm

La Case

Captivated by the irresistible appeal of the French West Indies, nature lover Jean Imbert was inspired by the local terroir to create an authentic culinary experience. La Case by Jean Imbert is more contemporary than ever, without losing sight of the simple things in life. The menu showcases the highlights of Caribbean cuisine, treating the taste buds to an abundance of flavours. The responsibly sourced fish is enjoyed raw. Island spices enhance the flavours of the meat, while herbs grown on Saint-Barthélemy subtly complement each vegetable dish. Caribbean fruits and cocoa form the delectable core of the dessert menu.

Le Ti 

A must-visit address on the island, Le Ti unveils its brand-new menu, featuring exquisite creations by its new Chef. Come and enjoy this emblematic freshly renovated cabaret decor and atmosphere for an unforgettable dinner.

Kinugawa 

Kinugawa St-Barth, for short, is faithful to the Japanese spirit of its Parisian "elders", and offers dishes that combine Japanese tradition with Kinugawa vision of contemporary gastronomy.

The cocktail bar is an opportunity to discover the signature Franco-Japanese cocktail menu. 

La Langouste 

We offer a wide variety of fish: sole meuniere, seabass, raw fish, tuna and sea bream. Meat lovers will not be left out and can enjoy lamb shanks, chicken kebab, beef and veal. Fresh lobster is our restaurant’s specialty. You can choose it the fish tank that will awaken your taste buds. You can choose it the fish tank that will awaken your taste buds. It will be grilled then served with three sauces imagined by our. Certainly the best on the island.

Black Ginger 

The food served at Black Ginger insures harmonious balance between the flavors, the spine and the soft as well as the pleasure of eyes: practised as an art.

Its contemporary design combining a palette of red and black colors, max domes spreading a soft light,and minimalist furniture, including Charles Eames chairs.

La Petite Plage 

La Petite Plage on Gustavia harbor is now a must in Saint-Barth. Feet in the sand, in an authentic decor with warm, natural notes combining the nobility of wood with the finesse of wicker, the spirit is chic and cosy, ideal for a convivial and original moment with family or friends.

Bagatelle 

It’s the story of two French entrepreneurs, Rémi Laba and Aymeric Clemente, who met in New York City in the early 2000’s and decided to join forces to open the first Bagatelle in the City.

Drawing on their respective experiences in the hospitality industry,  the duo imagined a place celebrating the South of France’s festive spirit, generous cuisine and friendly atmosphere.

Sella

Jutting out of the ocean, rises the island of Saint Barthelemy – under the warm glow of the sun and the bright reflection of clear blue waters, a mirage is cast, an oasis – Sella. Literally meaning “a rock” in Hebrew, it is a place of pure aesthetic; ancestral rocks and stones lay the foundations for Sella’s deeply seeded tradition of hospitality & for a unique culinary experience. On this cultural bedrock, our guests are treated as family - with passion and a deep sense of human caring. At Sella you become a part of our story.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

St Barths Bucket Regatta

The 3-day celebration sees the world’s most spectacular superyachts gather in Gustavia’s harbor for the prestigious St Barths Bucket. The invitational regatta is an unforgettable spectacle that features top-notch racing and exclusive on-shore social events, all in a stunning Caribbean setting. 

Dates: Annually in March

St Barths Film Festival

The St Barths Film Festival is a unique window into the creativity and the richness of Caribbean culture. Each year, this event screens movies at the outdoor cinema at AJOE in Lorient and offers the opportunity for film-related meetings and exchanges with regional filmmakers. 

Dates: Annually in May

St Barths Music Festival 

Founded in 1985, the St Barths Music Festival spans over a dozen nights of the finest live music and dance performances. Guests are treated to intimate concerts by some of the world’s most prominent classical, opera, ballet, and jazz stars, in a unique Caribbean island setting. 

Dates: Each year in January, future dates to be announced.

St Barths Carnival (Mardi Gras)

In February or March each year, a costumed parade takes over the streets of Gustavia. Traditionally marking the beginning of the forty days abstinence of Lent, the Mardi Gras parade also features a children’s costume parade and a pajama parade, ending with the burning of the king of Carnival (Vaval) at Shell Beach on Ash Wednesday.

Dates: Annually in February / March

St Barths Gourmet Festival

November is the month when foodies flock to St Barths to experience its annual Gourmet Festival. Over 3 days, the major event on the international culinary calendar brings famous French Chefs to show off their talents in a way that promotes the island's strong cultural roots and values of conviviality and authenticity.

Dates: Annually in November

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FACTS AND TRAVEL TIPS

• St Barths was originally named "Ouanalao" by the Arawak Indians, which may refer to the iguanas that lived on the island.
• “Toi Là! Je t’aime!” has become the adopted motto of St. Barts, meaning “You there! I Love You”
• Visitors to St Barths often receive a complimentary glass of rum after dining at a restaurant.
• French is the official language of St. Barts but the island has many reminders of its time under Swedish rule, including many of the street names in Gustavia.
• With no direct flights from the US, many visitors arrive at this luxury travel destination by private plane or yacht. Daily ferries, water taxis, and helicopter connections are also available from Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.
• As an overseas French collectivity, the official currency of St Barths is the Euro, the sockets are European-style with 2 round holes, and people drive on the right-hand side of the road.

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