Beaches

With 22 beaches of different shapes and sizes on the island, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice.
Some of them are not as easily accessible as others, but each has its own character and is strikingly beautiful. Here’s a little information on three of our favourites…

Divided into two by the Eden Rock, this beautifully calm bay is lapped by pristine turquoise waters and is a wonderful spot to watch the sunrise or for a bit of snorkelling, canoeing or windsurfing.

Equipment is available for hire at Carib Waterplay next to Pearl Beach restaurant.

One end of the beach stretches as far as the airport, and the planes sometimes land right on the edge of the beach – which is spectacular to watch from your deckchair.

Once you’ve built up an appetite, try Pearl Beach (formerly La Plage at Tom Beach), Nikki Beach,  Eden Rock , Lil Rock or Gyp Sea which are all great lunch spots.

Flamands is the largest beach on the island, with fine white sand and rolling waves.

Swimmers need to be vigilant since the current can be very strong at times, but that aside this wide and gorgeous beach is one of the prettiest on St Barths
– as well as a wonderful place from which to watch the fisherman casting their nets.

Le Case de l’Ile at Isle de France, La Langouste at Hotel Baies des Anges and Taiwana all serve lunch with spectacular views over the gorgeous beach.

Saline is the 2nd-largest beach on the island and is often voted one of the top beaches in the Caribbean. It is reached by a ten-minute walk over rocky outcrops – so make sure you wear suitable shoes.

It’s well worth the effort though, with crystal clear waters to bathe in and unspoilt white
sand as nature intended. There’s isn’t much in the way of shade, so make sure you bring an umbrella and plenty of sunscreen

The lack of shade or any visible building development means that there’s nothing to detract from beach’s wild natural beauty, which is great. But that also means there are no restaurants, so make sure you take a picnic with you or stop for lunch en route at Le Grain de Sel, Le Tamarin, on the Route de Saline. Make sure to pop back after dark for the wonderful L’Esprit de Saline restaurant which is open evening only.

We should probably point out that Saline is also the unofficial nudist beach of St Barths. Whilst nudity is not officially permitted on the island,
don’t be surprised if you spot bikini-less people sunbathing discreetly at the far end of many of the island’s beaches.