If you are a traveler who loves incredible views and a destination filled with beauty, fun, sports, and more, you will want to add St. Barts, or St. Barthélemy, to your list of favorite destinations. From luxury villas to days at the beach, St. Barts delivers.
Known for regattas and festivals, St. Barts caters to a discerning traveler and is filled with cultural richness and heritage. Here are five reasons and destinations as reasons to fall in love with this memorable island paradise.
1. Gustavia
The capital of Gustavia circles around a basin interspersed with yachts. Here you can visit the charming Wall House Museum or visit a fort which dates back to the Swedish period, Fort Gustav. Quai de la République offers shopping at its best as well as imitations of the best. It’s also great for a vibrant nightlife scene, as you can bump into celebrities at Le Select, the Yacht Club or other spot.
2. Beautiful Places to Stay
St Barts vacation homes for rent are suited for small and large groups of travelers, be they friends or family. There are exquisite choices here, so you might have a hard time leaving your fabulous luxury villa to explore all the area offers. You might have a chance to relax by the pool that overlooks the emerald-green bay, while you savor those views to remember. Whether you are there for sports, honeymooning or traveling with your family, you can find just the right place to enjoy the easy life of relaxed St. Barts.
3. Fabulous Beaches
Relax by the aquamarine waters of Baie de St-Jean, with its ambiance that makes you think you have traveled to the French Riviera. Calm reef-protected waters are ideal for relaxation, and several bistros are nearby when you need a break from relaxation.
Anse des Flamands is another beach on the northwest side. A quiet stretch of sand awaits at this wide beach; it’s approximately three miles north of Gustavia.
Anse de Columbier offers privacy with rock formations, calm waters and fabulous views. Bring lunch and water, as there are not many amenities near this more secluded beach.
4. Premier Shopping
If you love luxury shopping for yourself or a favorite person, Gustavia is the place to find local goods as well as knock-off of Gucci and original Gaultiers. Jewelry can also be found here. Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Hermes are among the choices.
Duty-free, there are over 200 beautiful boutiques to wander through. Top Designer fashions and unique choices make this the premier shopping destination in the Caribbean.
5. Water Sports
There’s a host of water sports to help you work up an appetite for those great restaurants. Some fabulous sports to explore include:
- Scuba Diving
- Windsurfing and surfing
- Deep sea fishing
- Waterski and wakeboards
- Jetboards
Anse de Grand Cul de Sac is the gorgeous beach for kite surfing, windsurfing and fly fishing as the waters are calm and shallow. Kayak the reef-protected waters here as well.
You can also rent a kayak or paddle boat right from the beach. Snorkeling tours are available to travelers who want to be guided to premier spots.
Surfers go to several bays, Lorient and Anse des Cayes where waves can be seen, and onshore breezes reign.
You’ll see yachts on the water and if you have a boat, you can cruise through the clear blue waters of this island. It’s a popular destination for those who enjoy yachting, and charters are available. You can also watch several regattas as they take place throughout the year.
Whether you’re watching a spectacular sunset from Shellona on Shell Beach or lounging by your pool as the sun sets in St. Barts, you will probably begin to fall in love with this island paradise. With beautiful and luxurious villas and homes in which to stay as well as historic places to see, you may also enjoy premier boutiques for shopping and idyllic beaches for relaxation or excitement. This only showcases five reasons to fall in love with St. Barts but there are many more.
