A traveler's guide to St. Barts
Rent a small car, pick two beaches a day, and eat one serious meal. The island is too small for a bigger plan and too expensive for a vague one.
St. Barts is eight square miles of coves and a capital, Gustavia, that faces the yachts. The beaches are short and excellent. The week costs what it costs. Gouverneur and Colombier are why people who do not want a scene still come.
When to go
Winter is the season, the prices, and the boats. May and June are kinder to a normal budget and still bright. Late summer is quiet and storm-aware.
The beach
There is no single famous mile. St. Jean is the lively one by the airport, with landings you can watch from your towel. Gouverneur is the beautiful, less dressed-up cove. Colombier has no road to the sand.
In the water
The Caribbean side is the swim. Snorkeling at Colombier is the reward for the walk or the boat. The Atlantic coves are rougher and less obvious.
If you only remember this
- The landing strip is short and famous. If you dislike small planes, take the ferry from St. Martin.
- Reserve dinner before you land in high season.
- Topless sunbathing is normal. A drone is not.
- The supermarket is part of the culture. Use it.