Beaches

Nudism, though officially forbidden in St Barths, is most likely to be practiced here at Grande Saline Beach along the island's southern coast.

The unspoiled Anse de Colombier, at the tip of the island, is accessible by boat or by a half-hour hike down a goat path.Still called "Rockefeller's Beach" because for many years, David Rockefeller owned the surrounding property, it is a popular picnic spot with locals.

At Gustavia Public Beach is the old Swedish cemetery, which has some weathered gravestones dating from the 18th C.The beach itself is a combination of sand and pebbles; more popular with boaters than swimmers. It's the location of the St Barths Sailing School.

St Jeans Bay Beach is a crescent of white sand and a good swimming beach with a natural coral reef. Shared by locals and day-trippers from nearby St Maarten it is an ideal location for parents with children.There are several water sports centers renting snorkel gear, surfboards, windsurfers and other items.

Several restaurants and hotels and a windsurfing rental station are situated on this beach which borders a shallow, well-protected bay. The water is warm and relatively calm.

Anse de Grand Calet is better known as Shell Beach because of the thousands of small sea-shells that were washed up on the shore. The beach was destroyed by hurricanes in 1999 but has since recovered.

The far end of Lorient Beach has pounding waves that are prime surfing waters. The rest of this long beach is usually quiet, calm and ideal for swimming. Lorient is located along the north shore not far from St Jean.

Caye Beach is favored by surfers, due to an unusual onshore breeze and is also convenient for spear fishing and sunbathing.

This port of call for local fisherman, Corossol Beach, has calm waters suitable for families. The beach is located along the western shore of the island.

Flamands Beach,St Barths' widest beach is also one of the prettiest and is where fishermen often cast their nets. It's a good beach for swimming and surfing.

Governor's Beach is a remote white sand beach along the south shore of the island that provides a feeling of privacy.

The underwater landscape at "Little Beach" is interesting for divers. The area is good for windsurfing and other water sports.

Little Cul de Sac Beach offers a tranquil setting with usually quite calm conditions due to the reef that fringes it and the depth of the bay.

Marigot Beach is a calm beach sheltered from the wind and an ideal mooring for small pleasure craft. Good snorkeling and swimming are available.

The breakers at this wild and untouched beach, Toiny Beach, are used for surfing and body surfing. The beach is located on the southeast end of the island.