There’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending your entire stay here by the pool or on the beach with a well-chosen book. However, should you wish to work up an appetite before enjoying the island’s excellent food, then you won’t be short of things to do. An exhaustive list of activities and excursions are on offer – just speak to our reception team, who will be happy to advise and make any reservations for you.
Nautical & Aquatic Activities
Sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, jet skiing, waterskiing, diving, snorkelling, surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, deep sea fishing, boat rentals or excursions – you name it, St Barths has got it.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an expert in your field, there’s something here for everyone. Some beaches are more suited for watersports than others, so chat to Eric or Carine and they will put you in touch with the right people.
Sports Activities
A wide variety of sports are available, with group classes or individual classes for everything from horse riding, tennis and hiking to aerobics, pilates and yoga.
Whilst there is no actual golf course on the island, a driving range can be found near Grand Cul de Sac and golf tours can be arranged to neighbouring islands.
Spas & Wellbeing
There are several spas on St Barths which welcome visitors and non-members. There are also three independent fitness clubs which offer short-term membership: Form Fitness between Gustavia and Lurin, St Barth Gym in Cul de Sac and Atmosphere in Gustavia.
Massage is readily available, contact reception to arrange a massage by the pool, on the beach or in the privacy of your own villa.
Shopping
St Barths offers a huge selection of shops, from luxury designer fashion stores to quirky local boutiques. The two main shopping areas are Gustavia and St Jean, although Gustavia is the main hub.
The island as a whole is a duty-free port, which means that tobacco, perfumes, alcohol, designer clothing, jewellery and watches can all be purchased duty-free. You’ll be able to find many of the luxury names that you would expect to find in Paris, London or Milan, as well as some wonderful locally-designed textiles and artisan-made jewellery.
In fact, domestically-manufactured products are something of a speciality around here. Make sure you keep any eye out for the many beauty lotions and oils on offer, made from island plants and other natural materials – they’re extremely popular with visitors and locals alike. Of course, there’s also a great selection of imported fragrances, bath products and cosmetics on offer.
A unique souvenir of the island is the latanier craftwork created by the women of Corossol and Colombier. The latanier palm straw is woven by hand into baskets, handbags and broad-brimmed hats. Other native products include sandals, shell jewellery, and t-shirts. St Barths is also home to many talented artists and their paintings – lithographs and other works of art can be found in the numerous galleries.
Stores generally close between noon and 2pm on weekdays and all afternoon on weekends, whilst many close completely during the off-season.
Sale dates are fixed by French law and happen twice a year only. Keep one eye on the blog for further details, but note 2011 dates in your diary: Saturday 7th May – Friday 10th June and Saturday 10th October – Friday 11th November all inclusive. These are well worth a visit as stores offer fabulous discounts before they change their stock for the next season.
Nightlife & Bars
Most of the bars and night clubs are located in Gustavia, although many of the hotels around the island have bars open to non-residents. Check with Eric or Carine where to find the happening places of the moment or where to sip a cocktail at sunset.
