St Barts Beach Guide

Discover one or more of St Barts 14 white-sand beaches; few are crowded, all are public and free. While nudism is official forbidden, it occurs nonetheless (at Saline and Gouverneur beaches); topless sunbathing is common.

Here is a selection of the best beaches on St Barts.

Saline Beach (Anse de Grande Saline) – Unwind on the soft sugar-white sands of this 500m-long beach that shelves into calm turquoise waters framed by bush-covered cliffs. There are no facilities on this undeveloped beach, so take your own sun umbrella, food and drinks.

The beach is accessed along a trail that runs beside disused salt ponds and through bush-clad sand dunes. Come for the day or stay longer in the stylish gingerbread cazes (traditional Creole houses) at nearby Salines Garden Cottages. Saline Beach is located on the south coast of St Barts.

Gouverneur Beach (Anse du Gouverneur) – Unwind on this secluded 300m-long beach of white sand that shelves into the calm waters of a turquoise bay framed by grass-clad cliffs and sand dunes.

Sunbathe au natural, swim in the warm waters, snorkel the rocky promontories and enjoy scenic views across to the neighbouring islands of St Kitts, Saba and St Eustatius. There are no facilities on this remote beach, so take your own beach umbrella, food and drinks. Gouverneur Beach is located on the south coast to the west of Saline Beach.

Flamands Beach (Anse des Flamands) – Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on the wide, powder-white sands of this 700m-long beach that shelves into turquoise waters framed by verdant hills that offer good walks with panoramic views.

Facilities on this uncrowded beach include umbrellas, sun loungers and a range of creature comforts supplied by the beachfront resort. Visit on a day trip or stay longer at the luxurious Hotel St Barth Isle de France. Flamands Beach is located on the northwest coast.

Colombier Beach (Anse Colombier) – This idyllic 500m-long white-sand beach faces a calm and secluded cove framed by scenic bush-clad cliffs on the northwest part of the island. Hire a boat or take a half-hour walk along the marked coastal path from nearby Flamands Beach, enjoying breathtaking views along the way. Pack a picnic and visit for the day to swim, snorkel and sunbathe on a beach once owned by billionaire David Rockefeller.

Grand Cul de Sac Beach (Anse de Grand Cul de Sac) – Unwind on this narrow 700m-long beach that curves around a reef-protected bay flanked by rocky promontories and edged by a selection of beachfront hotels, bars and restaurants.

Facilities include umbrellas, sun loungers and a variety of water sports equipment for hire. Grand Cul de Sac Beach is a popular spot for windsurfing and kite surfing when the breeze picks up. And the shallow, reef-protected waters are perfect for families with small children as well as for kayaking and fly-fishing adventures.

Visit for the day and watch frigate birds dive-bomb the waters for fish or stay longer at the luxurious Hotel Guanahani and Spa. Grand Cul de Sac Beach is located on the northeast coast.

Marigot Beach – Unwind on the soft white sand of this gorgeous palm-fringed beach that shelves into clear turquoise waters (a marine reserve) perfect for swimming and snorkelling. There are no facilities, so pack a picnic of food and drinks. Marigot Beach is just across the headland from Grand Cul de Sac Beach.

St Jean Beach – Unwind on the sugar-white sands of this 1.2km-long beach that curves around the reef-protected Baie de St Jean. The beach is divided by the Eden Rock promontory, home to the hotel of the same name, and offers good swimming, snorkelling and windsurfing.

Facilities include umbrellas, sun loungers and water sports equipment for hire. Go for a day and enjoy snacks or lunch at one of several beachfront bistros or stay longer at one of the beach hotels, such as the charming Les Islets de la Plage or the legendary and glamorous Eden Rock Hotel. St Jean Beach is located on the north coast.

Anse des Cayes Beach – This north coast beach just to the west of St Jean Bay is popular with surfers due to the usual onshore breeze. The golden sands lie beneath bush- and tree-covered hills. Facilities are provided by a number of beachside hotels, such as the Hotel Manapany.