The French-owned island of St. Barthelemy in the Caribbean (also affectionately known as St. Barth or St. Barts), exudes a typical Gallic sang-froid towards beach nudity. From its postcard harbor to its twenty spectacular beaches, many travelers consider this beautiful little island to be the closest thing to heaven on earth. Rolling hills, picturesque villages and broad valleys are surrounded by coral reefs, gin-clear waters and blue-green lagoons. A favorite retreat for the rich and famous, St. Barth is renowned for its natural beauty, delicious cuisine, chic boutiques and relaxed ambiance. A definite top choice for your Caribbean beach vacation!
St. Barthélemy lies 125 miles northwest of Guadeloupe, and 15 miles southeast of St. Martin. The island's capitol is Gustavia and the total land area is about 8 square miles. The population of St. Barth is approximately 6500 persons.
| The most common misconception about the French West Indies is that it must be much hotter in summer than it is during the rest of the year. In fact, the average monthly temperature remains remarkably stable, varying by only about 5 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. This stability can be attributed to the tradewinds (les alizés) which bring refreshing breezes from the Northeast throughout the year, tempering the tropical heat. Summer is actually a great time to visit the islands because lodging rates are considerably lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are rarely crowded. |
Mid-April to mid-December is the "high season" St. Barth as travelers flee colder climates to soak up the tropical sunshine. For the peak periods of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, as well as the entire month of February, virtually all lodging on the island sells out quickly. Smart travelers are beginning to make their reservations for the high season a year or more in advance.
December through May is considered the dry season while June through November is generally the more humid season. However, in our experience, rain showers or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. Rainstorms usually pass quickly and there is sunshine on most days. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 72º to 86º F. The warm coastal water temperatures stay between 68º and 74º F.
Hurricanes may occur any time from June through November and, historically, the most likely time is during early September. Every year brings more sophisticated storm warning systems. It is unusual for any one island to be severely affected more than once or twice every 10 years and your actual odds of experiencing a hurricane are very low. Some travelers purchase travel insurance as soon as they confirm their travel plans.
There are about twenty spectacular beaches on St. Barthélemy. Experienced visitors know that it is not important to stay in accommocations directly on a beach. Most visitors rent a car and explore a new beach (or two) every day. Few are ever really crowded, even in peak season. All are public and free. Nude sunning and swimming is officially prohibited (but often practiced at Anse de Grande Saline and Anse du Gouverneur), while toplessness is quite common. Of the 2 beaches, Anse du Gouverneur is our top pick because it's the prettier beach, and on a clear day you can see the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts. Consider staying at The Manapany Cottages Hotel, which consists of a picturesque collection of red-roofed bungalows set amid tropical vegetation and overlooking pure, sandy Caribbean shores. Rates start at $326.
For beaches with hotels, restaurants and watersports, Grand Cul-de-Sac on the northeast shore fits the bill, as does St. Jean, which is actually two beaches divided by the Eden Rock promontory. The St Barths Beach Hotel is a great hotel on the Grand Cul-de-Sac that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. To the west, Flamands offers some lodging and eateries. The little beach at Marigot and broad stretch at Lorient on the north shore are secluded and quiet, and are favored on Sundays by island families. Gouverneur in the south offers total privacy and Saline just east of it is popular but often windy. Lovely Shell Beach can be reached on foot from Gustavia; Public, on the other side of town, is near the commercial pier, but still nice for a dip. Hardest to get to is Colombier, reachable by boat from Gustavia or by a half-hour hike down a scenic path.
| A few Swedish legacies endure, but most of the people are French-speaking descendants of the first Norman, Breton and Poitevin settlers. They are industrious, spiritual and soft-mannered. Lacking agriculture and industry, the men have taken to the sea and are considered superb sailors. The older women, carrying on the tradition of their ancestors, still wear the white sunbonnets like those seen in the French provinces. Many pad about barefoot and spend their days weaving straw hats, straw baskets, and similar items for tourists. |
The island offers the best that money can buy in the way of peace and quiet, scenery, nice people, French food and wines along with idyllic sun, sand and sea. There are small green mountains, meadows marked with low stone fences, pristine beaches and sandy coves. Gustavia, the capital, is an impeccable picture-postcard town and looks like the setting for an operetta. Its harbor, busy with yachts, boats and schooners, is one of the safest in the Caribbean.