Just a short stroll from Gustavia, Shell Beach is one of the easiest to reach. True to its name, this sweet piece of shoreline is littered with thousands upon thousands of pearly pink and ivory white shells. You could spend a whole day wandering the length of this luscious beach and selecting shells in every shape and colour for your private collection. Beyond the delicate dream of shells beneath your feet, this pretty beach is perfect for bathing in the purest shades of blue and basking in a barefoot lunch. Being so close to the town of Gustavia also means that you can duck in and out of the capital, getting your fill of fine shopping, sightseeing, and soaking up the buzz of this St Barth’s gem.
The beautiful Colombier Beach is known for being difficult to reach, but for those who can charter right in, the results are nothing short of rewarding. Known locally as Rockefeller’s Beach as you can still glimpse the famous Rockefeller compound overlooking the scenic sugary bay, this should give a clue as to how highly coveted Colombier is. A curving bay of golden dreams hemmed in between brilliant blue seas and sloping greenery makes Colombier a truly secluded and romantic spot with sunsets that are sure to blow your mind. Charter guests can drop anchor and wile away the day with picnics and paddles on the sands and in the sheltered sea. For those who want a more active afternoon, the hiking trail that leads to La Petite Anse is wild and spectacular and offers a vibrant vantage point across the island of St Barts.
A tiny island caught between the beautiful St Barts and St Martin, Ile Fourchue is one of the best dive sites in the area. Because Ile Fourchue sits in the St Barts Nature Reserve it enjoys all the benefits of being a wild and wonderful protected area. This little island is surrounded by dormant caldera hills, creating a sheltered locale and a colour scheme of blue and green. A small stony beach and the occasional wild goat wandering by set the scene. With crystal clear waters and a maximum depth of 15 meters, Ile Fourchue is home to 45 coral species, 165 species of fish, and a whole host of marine characters like eels, rays, turtles, urchins and sponges. Your time here will be mostly spent in the water as the island itself can be prickly and moonlike with cacti spines and glaring sun. When evening rolls around, the lack of light pollution means skies ripe with stars and silence.
The westernmost islet in the collection of tiny scattered islands that sit close to St Barts, Ile Chevreau is also known by the name Île Bonhomme. Access to this isle is far from easy as the sea currents run strong. Those who manage to reach the one beautiful beach that makes access possible will find the rest of the island relatively remote with only scuttling lizards sunning themselves on the golden rocks. There’s a certain sense of romance to such a deserted isle, surrounded by the wild blue sea, you couldn’t dream of being any closer to nature.
Soak up the sublime side of St Barts with an overnight anchorage at the ritzy Baie de St Jean. Reminiscent of the French Riviera, Baie de St Jean is every inch as glam as St Tropez but brings with it a Caribbean kiss of soft trade winds and sparkling wonder. White sands and signature snorkeling welcomes those who want to cruise the coral gardens and kick back in stunning surroundings. Close by, you will find the glitziest beach clubs and hotels in town offering tropical spa experiences and exceptional dining. The waters here are calm and shallow - perfect for families and those who want soft snorkeling and swimming. For those craving deeper dives, just a few miles north, there’s the chance to access some bucket list spots on the deserted island of Fourche.
Forget your still water seas and head to a beach that stirs up a little more excitement. Anse de Lorient is one of the most popular surfing beaches on St Barts. Known for its sweeping white sands and it’s rising waves, it’s common to see surfers riding that high. There are sheltered areas of the beach too for those who don’t feel like wave hopping and instead want to swim and snorkel.
Anse de Lorient is also close to the cemetery holding the tomb of Johnny Hallyday. You can also hike up to the Pointe Lorient for views across the beautiful bay and plenty of villas in the traditional architectural style - both preserving the spirit and the visual sweetness of St Barts.
A curved moon of sugary white sands, thatched umbrellas, crystalline waters, and the wonder of watching frigate birds fishing for their breakfast. Welcome to another St Barth beauty. Anse de Grande Cul-de-Sac is one of the most spectacular bays in the whole Caribbean. The shallow waters are home to impressive reefs teeming with fish which makes this stretch an absolute stunner when it comes to snorkelling. For those who prefer to get their thrills above the blue - Anse de Grande Cul-de-Sac is also great for kayaking and windsurfing too. This part of Caribbean coast is peppered with picture-perfect restaurants where charter guests can sup on the catch of the day paired with dark and stormy rum. If you are seeking one of the most blissed out beach stops on your Caribbean charter, this is it.
The name of Petit Cul-de-Sac conjures images of a tiny curved bay pressing like a thumbprint into the beautiful blues of the sea. This little Caribbean hit can be found on the eastern side of the island of St Barts. Time seems to slow down as soon as you enter the world of Petit Cul-de-Sac. The sea moves with a soft sunlit stillness, the birds swoop for their breakfast, and the turtles drift with an otherworldly presence. Make no mistake, this is as remote as St Barts beaches can get - plenty of empty space and expansive views. Protected on both sides, this curve of water is lagoon-like, making it a popular spot with marine life seeking shelter. Drop anchor, drift away, and spend hours watching the turtles feed and sun themselves on the rocks at this end of the earth paradise.
The second longest beach of St Barts is a haven of white sand, blue sea, bare skin, and laid-back surf vibes. Situated on the rocky shoreline between Grand Frond and Gouverneur, this is the wilder side of the Caribbean shoreline with no facilities, no beach bars to prop up at, and not even a chair in the sand. Grande Saline is for those who want to feel like they have been transported to a desert island dream. This is the southern end of the island where things are sparser and less touristy. You will find a smattering of restaurants not too far and the salt ponds that are super rich in biodiversity. Whether you want to dodge the crowds or discover a different side to St Barts, Grande Saline is an exclusive private escape.
Go to the ends of the earth and drop anchor at Gouverneur. Of the almost two dozen beaches that occupy St Barts, Gouverneur is different to the rest thanks to its remote and otherworldly feel despite being relatively close to Gustavia. Surrounded by blues and greens, it's no surprise to hear that Gouverneur is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. A small burst of trees offers a slice of shade for those wanting to escape the sun and with a restaurant not too far away you can grab lunch in-between lapping up the delights of this easy breezy bay. Sometimes Gouverneur can see big waves rolling through. The sands of Gouverneur seem to go on for miles ensuring that everyone gets a spot for sitting back and watching the sun sink like a stone on the horizon.
Glitzy Gustavia is the capital of St Barts and a must for any yacht charter passing through these blissful blue waters. Blond beaches, emerald hills, and a unique blend of European sophistication and Caribbean cool sets the scene for rest and play. Gustavia has swathes of history, and a mix of Swedish and French heritage that is reflected in the cuisine, the shopping experience, and even some of the architectural style. Visit Fort Gustav for a glimpse into colonial life, explore the art galleries and chic boutiques in the old red roofed town, be charmed by the sweet village of St Jean, and dine on a mouth watering mix of creole cuisine. One of St Barts most enticing beaches is also close by. Swim and stroll along the truly unique Shell Beach, whose shores are littered with a million tiny shells in every shade imaginable.