Also known as Saint Barts, St. Barthelemy is an island of rare beauty located in the French West Indies. The island is well-known for its casual chic vibe, swanky beach bars and 20 picture-perfect beaches. It has been a French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean since 2007. In this article, we’ll shed some light on the best things to do and see while you are in St. Barthelemy.
Visit Wall House
Not only is the Wall House one of the oldest buildings in St. Barthelemy, but it is also among the most prominent structures on this island. Located in La Pointe, Gustavia, the building houses the Territorial Museum.
Here, you will get the opportunity to learn about the history of Saint Barts through a slide show with images and texts. This gripping exploration carries a sense of intrigue and excitement, like spinning the reels of slot games with bonus buying options. Playing bonus buy slots is an exhilarating gaming experience since they allow you to bypass the main gameplay and boost the Return to Player rate while giving you access to extra spins and win multipliers.
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Embark on a Snorkelling Adventure at Anse du Grand Cul-de-Sac
Anse du Grand Cul-De-Sac is true to its name, as it looks like a large cul-de-sac. This sweeping arc of sand is situated in front of several hotels with beach bars that offer stunning views, finger-licking food and cocktails, and foot-tapping music.
The water here is clear and calm, making it perfect for swimming and one of the best spots for snorkelling in St. Barthelemy. Whether you want to go snorkelling to stay healthy or just want to explore worlds bustling beneath the surface of this lagoon.
Two headlands are sheltering the lagoon. The coral reef between these headlands is home to numerous hard-shelled green turtles and several fish species you can enjoy watching while snorkelling.
Visit the Dinzey House
Also known as Le Brigantin, the Dinzey house is located in Gustavia, the main town and capital of St. Barthelemy. This house, the terraced courtyard, the gardens, the enclosing wall, and the outbuildings are all protected Historical Monuments.
On 17 April 1990, the Dinzey House was listed as a historic monument. The house was constructed in 1820 and is one of the few survivors of the March 2, 1852 Great Fire. The current owner of this house is an Honorary Consul of Sweden, and he undertook a careful restoration to ensure it’s in good condition.
Anse de Grande Saline and Its Nature
Situated in the southern-central part of St. Barthelemy, Anse de Grande Saline is an island sitting in front of a site of salt pans. It is also the second-largest beach on this island and one of the best-untouched beaches. The name of this scenic beach translates to Large Salt Beach, and without an iota of doubt, it’s an accurate depiction of this idyllic swathe of white powdery sand.
This palm-lined sandy beach is rarely crowded, making it the perfect spot for anyone looking for peace and tranquillity. Since there are no hotels or restaurants behind this beach, you can absorb uninterrupted natural scenery. If you want to explore more beaches, the table below highlights some options that you might want to consider:
| Name of the Beach | Information |
| Gouverneur Beach | Tucked within the bay beside the white sand beach, Anse de Grande Saline, Gouverneur Beach is among the most pristine beaches that St. Barthelemy offers. Tall, rocky headlands do a great job protecting the turquoise waters of this beautiful, secluded beach. |
| Shell Beach | This beach was named after the pearl white shells and coral washing upon the golden shores. It’s one of the best beaches in St.Barts that is perfect for swimming since the waters here are always calm. |
| St Jean Beach | This 1.6-km long crescent-shaped beach sits in the heart of St. Barthelemy. It’s the most popular and most visited beach on this island. This beach also has an energetic vibe, with the beach restaurant being the major attraction. |
Admire Stunning Views From Fort Karl
Dating back to 1787, Fort Karl was one of the three forts that overlooked Gustavia during Swedish times. The other two forts were Fort Octav and Fort Gustave. Perched atop a 29-metre high hill, Fort Karl affords panoramic views of Shell Beach, offering a picturesque perspective of the island’s capital and its vibrant harbour, courtesy of the observation deck developed by the Nature Reserve.
While the Conservatoire du Littoral has been the owner of this site since 2007, the Nature Reserve manages the fort.
Burn Up the Dance Floor at Le Ti
If you want to experience the best nightlife in St. Barthelemy, put on your dancing shoes and head to Le Ti. This Caribbean tavern opened its doors to guests in 1995. Here is what you should expect when you hang out at Le Ti St. Barth:
- The tavern hosts dinner and cabaret shows consisting of singing, dancing or comedy acts performed every night.
- Guests get to enjoy different types of foods from the charcoal BBQ grill.
- Choose from an extensive wine list and classic cocktails.
- Enjoy foot-tapping music from live DJs while sipping your drinks every day from 11 pm to 4 am.
You can also dance on tables and have a whale of a time in a fancy dress room.
Hire a Catamaran and Visit Marine Parks
A whole heap of islands and marine reserves are waiting for you to explore off the coast of Saint Barts. A high percentage of them are accessible by boat; however, you can rent a catamaran for a half day, full day or even a few hours.
You’ll have a thrilling experience cruising around St. Barthelemy from the comfort of a private vessel. Your private catamaran will come with drinks, food, a knowledgeable skipper and watersports like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Arriving at some of the island’s best snorkelling spots will be memorable. The St. Barths National Nature Reserves stretches from Colombier to Toiny Beach; this extensive marine reserve of protected zones features:
- Underwater formation
- Coral reefs
- Seagrass beds
It is home to reef fish, eagle rays and sea turtles. Additionally, it is home to the Kaïali, a shipwreck that has become a popular dive site.
Final Takeaway
St. Barthelemy is one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands, attracting over 200,000 tourists annually since there is a truckload of things to see and do on the island. From snorkelling and swimming on the gorgeous beaches to visiting museums and historic monuments to excellent food and shopping, St. Barts offers an unforgettable travel experience.