St. Barth's Guide: Top 10 Ultimate Beaches

When planning a trip to St. Barth's, it's essential to consider the unique characteristics of each beach to tailor your visit to your preferences. The island's small size makes it easy to move from one beach to another. This gives you a lot of different experiences within a short distance.

For example, Baie de St-Jean is great for people who want lively bars and water sports on the beach. Gouverneur Beach is more private and quiet. The island's strong infrastructure helps with this variety of beach experiences. It has easy roads and clear signs, so visitors can easily move from one beach to another.

This guide to my personal favorite ten beaches in St. Barth's will help you capture the essence of each location, improving your beach-hopping journey across the island:

1. Baie de St-Jean

Location: Nestled on the north-central coast of St. Barth's, Baie de St-Jean boasts a prime location that is easily accessible from the island's small airport and close to major resorts.

Highlights: This beach is a bustling hub of activity, Thanks to its split by the luxurious Eden Rock hotel, which juts out into the sea. Its calm, turquoise waters make it a perfect setting for swimming, snorkeling and a variety of water sports like jet skiing and windsurfing. The sand here is powdery white, and the beach vibe is energetic, often filled with music and laughter from beach bars and cafes.

Good to Know: many fancy shops and restaurants surround Baie de St-Jean. One of the best places is Nikki Beach, which has a sophisticated beach club atmosphere. Visitors looking for a lively day at the beach with all the amenities at hand will find St-Jean an ideal choice. The beach is also well-equipped with rental facilities for water sports equipment, making it a hassle-free option for active beachgoers.

2. Anse des Flamands

Location: Located on the northwest coast, Anse des Flamands is one of the largest and most picturesque beaches on the island.

Highlights: rolling green hills back the beach's wide expanse of soft, white sand, creating a stunning natural backdrop. It's smaller than some of the island's more central beaches, so it's quieter and better for relaxing or a peaceful family day out. The sea here is typically calm, with gentle waves, making it safe for swimming.

Good to Know: Flamands has many fancy hotels, like Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France. Non-guests can enjoy spa treatments or eat in style with ocean views at these hotels. The beach is also sometimes suitable for surfing, especially during the off-season when the waves are more pronounced. Visitors should note that while amenities are available through the hotels, the beach itself retains a relatively undeveloped charm.

3. Anse de Colombier

Anse de Colombier is on the island's northwest coast. It can be reached mostly by hiking or by boat, which makes it even more special because it is so far away.

Highlights: Often called Rockefeller’s Beach after its famous former owner, this crescent-shaped, white-sand beach is a hidden paradise. The hike to Colombier, which takes about 30 minutes from the nearest parking area, offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean. The beach itself is renowned for its clear, calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Good to Know: The remote nature of Colombier means there are no facilities on the beach, so it’s essential to bring water, sunscreen and food. The isolation also makes it a favored spot for yachts, which often anchor in the bay, adding a touch of glamor to the pristine environment.

4. Shell Beach

Shell Beach is close to Gustavia, the island's capital. It's easy to get to for a quick beach visit.

Highlights: This beach is unique due to its shore densely covered with sea shells, brought in by the gentle waves. It’s a fantastic spot for beachcombers and those who enjoy a scenic, natural beach environment. The view at sunset here is particularly spectacular, with the sky and sea glowing in hues of orange and pink.

Good to Know: Shell Beach has many restaurants on the beach, like Shellona. Visitors can eat delicious food while enjoying the ocean breeze. The beach's proximity to Gustavia means it's often busier than more remote locations, but it maintains a laid-back Caribbean vibe.

5. Gouverneur Beach

Location: Gouverneur Beach is tucked away on the southern coast of St. Barth's, accessible via a winding road that descends through the lush hills, offering spectacular views along the way.

Highlights: Gouverneur Beach is famous for its beautiful natural beauty. It has a large area of soft, white sand that is surrounded by steep cliffs and the clear waters of the Caribbean. The secluded nature of this beach makes it a sanctuary for those seeking privacy and tranquility. The clear, calm waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, where you might spot vibrant coral and marine life.

Good to Know: Gouverneur has no stores, so visitors should bring all the things they need, including water, sunscreen and food. The beach is far away because it is not crowded. This makes it a great choice for people who want to escape the more popular tourist spots. It's also a favored location for celebrity sightings, so keep your eyes peeled.

6. Anse de Grande Saline

Location: Anse de Grande Saline lies on the south coast of St. Barth's, a few minutes' drive from the small town of Lorient.

Highlights: This beach is a hidden gem, renowned for its expansive, unspoiled landscape. The wide, open beach offers a perfect setting for sunbathing and relaxing in a natural setting. Grande Saline is also one of the few beaches on the island where nudity is okay. This makes it a good place for people who want a more European sunbathing experience. The waters here are typically very clear and inviting for swimmers and snorkelers looking for a tranquil environment.

Good to Know: There are no places to sit or shade, so bring everything you need for a full day in the sun. The beach can be quite hot and exposed, especially in the middle of the day, so enough sun protection is crucial. Even though it feels far away, Grande Saline can sometimes get a lot of people, especially during the busiest tourist season, because it is known as a beautiful natural place.

7. Lorient Beach

Lorient Beach is on the north coast of the island. It is easy to get to and is family-friendly. It is known for its local charm and lively community.

Highlights: Lorient is a beach with many different areas for surfing and swimming. It is great for families and sports fans. The beach is known for its consistent surf breaks that attract surfers of various skill levels. For people who like to see marine life, the coral reefs just offshore offer great snorkeling opportunities. You can see tropical fish and turtles there.

Good to Know: There are many places to get things, including grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants where you can get fresh French pastries or a quick lunch. The beach has some basic things like showers and areas covered by trees. This helps visitors cool off during the hot parts of the day.

8. Anse de Petit Cul de Sac

Anse de Petit Cul de Sac is a small, private beach on the northeastern coast of the island. It is protected by a marine reserve.

Highlights: This beach is celebrated for its extremely calm waters thanks to the protective coral reefs that enclose the bay. It's a favored spot for water sports such as kite surfing and windsurfing, especially when the wind conditions are right. The serene environment is perfect for those looking to relax away from the busier tourist spots.

Good to Know: Petit Cul de Sac is part of a neighborhood where people live and has very few businesses, which helps keep it peaceful. There are few places to stay here, so visitors should bring what they need for the day. They should also bring water sports equipment if they don't want to rent it.

9. Toiny Coast

Location: Toiny Coast is situated on the southeastern side of St. Barth’s, known for its rugged natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery.

Highlights: This beach is a haven for adventure lovers and those who seek a more rugged, natural beach experience. Toiny is a popular surfing spot because of the strong currents and steady waves. But it is only good for experienced surfers because the conditions are often rough. The rocky coastline and wild vegetation provide a stark contrast to the more manicured beaches on the island.

Good to Know: Toiny does not have any commercial facilities, and the strong currents make it unsuitable for casual swimming. Visitors should be well-prepared with their own gear and supplies, and exercise caution when entering the water.

10. Corossol Beach

Corossol Beach is a traditional fishing village on the northwest coast. It offers a unique view of St. Barth's culture.

Highlights: This quaint beach is less about sunbathing and more about experiencing the island’s local lifestyle. Visitors can observe local fishermen at work, weaving their nets and preparing their traditional wooden boats. The gentle waters of Corossol make it suitable for swimming and wading, especially for families with children.

Good to Know: The village of Corossol is also known for its straw weaving, an artisan craft that visitors can admire and purchase as unique souvenirs. The beach is small and not the usual sandy area, but it's worth visiting because of its culture and the chance to meet the local people.

Near Baie de St-Jean

Nikki Beach St. Barth: Positioned directly on the sands of St-Jean, this world-renowned beach club serves gourmet dishes with a flair, such as sushi and seafood platters, amid a lively and chic atmosphere.

Near Shell Beach

Shellona: Right on Shell Beach, this spot is perfect for enjoying Mediterranean-inspired dishes while watching the sunset.

Near Lorient Beach

JoJo Burger: It's a casual place near Lorient Beach. It's great for getting a good burger or sandwich after a day in the sun.

Near Toiny Coast

Beach Club at Le Toiny: This beach club is at Hotel Le Toiny. It serves new French food with a Caribbean twist. It is known for its high-quality, creative dishes.

Near Corossol Beach

Chez Rolande: Known for its real local flavors, Chez Rolande serves Creole dishes that are made fresh in a casual, beachfront setting in Corossol. This allows diners to enjoy traditional island cuisine.