St. Barts Beaches

There are fourteen beaches on St. Barths, all blessed with gleaming white sand. Few are crowded, even in peak season. All are public and free. Nudism is ostensibly prohibited; topless is not unusual. For beaches with hotels, restaurants, and water sports, Grand Cul de Sac fits the bill, as does St. Jean, which is actually two beaches divided by the Eden Rock promontory. You can also see St.Jean Beach from our panoramic movie page       

There is a smattering of hotels and restaurants at Flamands, a huge stretch of white sand fringed with lantier palms. The village of Corossol verges on a lovely beach that serves the practical purpose of a fishing port. The beaches at Marigot and Lorient are secluded and quiet, favored on Sundays by island families. Petite Cul de Sac is secluded, and usually very quiet; Toiny is wild and beautiful, not for the faint hearted. Gouverneur is serene; Saline is well worth the hike over the sand dune. Shell Beach can be reached on foot from Gustavia; Public, pronounced "poobleek", near the commercial pier, is fine for a quick dip. Hardest to get to is Colombier, reachable by boat from Gustavia or by a half- hour hike down a scenic path.

Beaches

Anse des Cayes
Favored by surfers, due to the usual onshore breeze, and adjacent to the Hotel Manapany.

Colombier
This beach is still called "Rockefeller's Beach", because, for many years, David Rockefeller owned the property that surrounds it. It is a popular Sunday picnic spot for local folk, who traditionally camp out for the night during Easter weekend

Corossol
The fishing village behind this beach remains a typical example of the traditional style of local life.

Flamands
This long and deep beach can have impressive rolling surf during the winter months. though swimming is rarely hazardous. Hotel St-Barth Ile de France and La Langouste are handy for lunch or a drink.

Grand Cul de Sac
This beach borders a shallow, well protected bay, and the water is warm and relatively calm. There are several restaurants and hotels on this beach, as well as a windsurfing rental station.

Gouverneur
It's a bit of a drive to get there, but the reward is a feeling of remoteness and privacy.

Lorient
This beach, popular with local families, is also a great surfing spot. Our Web cam will show you how the surf is running today.

Marigot 
The beach at Marigot is more popular with local folk than it is with visitors, perhaps because it is so close to the road.

Petite Cul de Sac
Because of the depth of the bay, and the size of the fringing reef, the water here is usually quite calm.

Saline
While nudism is officially forbidden in St. Barths, it is most likely to be practiced here. Happily, this beach is a favored haunt of the most comely women and the most handsome men. The photo shows the western half.

Shell Beach
This beach is a short walk from Gustavia, and the scene of many weekend festivities. Restaurant Do Brazil is on the beach on the left.

St. Jean
St. Jean actually has two beaches, separated by Eden Rock. The farther of the two is much larger than it looks in this photo.