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ST. BARTH: A LUXURY YACHT DESTINATION
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At only 8 square miles, and the smallest of the islands that comprise the French West Indies, tranquil, chic and stylish St. Barthelemy (St. Barts or St. Barth) has long been a favorite retreat for the rich and famous. Even though it lacks the lush greenery of its sister islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, it more than compensates with spectacular secluded beaches and an unparalleled ambiance of luxury and exclusivity.
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With magnificent luxury yachts in the harbor and Parisian chefs in the restaurants, St. Barth is a Caribbean St. Tropez. Thanks to stringent building regulations that have restricted development, St. Barth has not become a destination for mass tourism. With little to do but shop, soak up the sun and eat sumptuous meals at night, St. Barth is the ultimate paradise getaway for millionaires or those with a self-pampering mindset.
St. Barth is particularly popular with the luxury yacht set due in part to its location – midway between the major sailing centers of Antigua and the Virgin Islands- and in part to its own natural beauty. Its popularity with the luxury yacht jetsetters reaches a crescendo around New Years when a hundred super yachts are in port. |
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The island is dry and mountainous. Arid, hilly and rocky, St. Barth was unsuitable for sugar production and thus never developed an extensive slave base. Therefore, unlike most of the other islands in the Caribbean, most of the 3000 local residents are descendants of the tough Norman and Breton settlers of three centuries ago. The rugged coastline provides numerous anchorages for luxury yachts and approximately 22 beaches dot the island, each with a distinctive personality. In addition, due to the Marine Park that was established in 1996, the diving and snorkeling is some of the finest in the Caribbean. Finally, the chic shopping and fine French dining experiences are unmatched in the Caribbean.
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There are several yachting events to consider when booking your luxury yacht charter. The St. Barth’s Regatta, the St. Barth’s Cup and the International Regatta are all racing events scheduled in April and May. The St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta, held in early April, is of particular note for the wealthy yachtsman. The Bucket Regatta is a gentlemanly yacht race for luxury yachts over 100 feet in length. The race is a rare chance for larger yachts – both private and charter, to gather together around a beautiful race course in a good-natured test of speed and skills. Each of these regattas offers a spectacular sight for both seafarers and landlubbers. |
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Apart from these impressive luxury yacht racing events, St. Barth has much more to offer, including a classical and jazz music festival as well as a ballet performance in the middle of January, and a Caribbean film festival in April.
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Despite its wealthy image, St. Barth is not full of limos. In fact, the most popular form of transportation is the 4-wheel drive. Be aware, however, that the roads are steep and very narrow, so driving is not for the faint-hearted. Despite that, these vehicles are the best mode to drive to one of the many beaches dotting the island.
One of the main attractions of St. Barth is its beautiful beaches. Most are easy to get to, but bear in mind that the more remote the beach, the less amenities there are and the less people wear! Some of the most popular beaches are the following:
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Anse des Flamands: This is one of the prettiest white sand beaches with small hotels dotting the shore. It is a great place to take a long beach walk or swim in the calm, turquoise blue waters.
Baie de St.-Jean: This is an ideal beach for the family. It is a good spot for windsurfing and water sports. Beachside bistros make you feel like you are on a mini Cote d’Azur.
Anse de Lorient: This is a popular beach with the locales who want to enjoy surfing and body surfing in the rolling waves. Be aware of the tide and under currents.
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Shell Beach: This shell-ridden beach is in the heart of Gustavia. The calm sea is ideal for swimming.
Anse de Colombier: This magnificent white sand beach is the least accessible and thus the most private on the island. To reach it, you must come by sea or take a 30 minute rocky, steep trail from the top of the mountain behind the beach. Luxury yacht cruisers favor this beach and cove for its calm anchorage.
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Anse de Grande Saline: Secluded, with its sandy ocean bottom, this exceptional beach is just about everyone’s favorite. It is great for swimmers. The beach is about a 10 minute walk up a rocky dune trail. Although there is a prohibition against nude sunbathing, young and old alike go nude here.
Anse du Gouverneur: Because it is so secluded, nude sunbathing is popular here as well. The white sand beach is truly beautiful with views of St. Kitts, Saba and Statia.
Anse de Grand Cul de Sac: The shallow reef-protected beach is especially nice for small children. It has excellent lunch spots and water sport rentals are available. |
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For those that want an underwater experience, St. Barth has much to offer. The people of St. Barth have long been aware of the importance of safeguarding the different marine species and water quality.
The Marine Park created in 1996 has reinforced this protection within a legislative framework and covers large areas of the island as well as the surrounding coral reefs. Divers and snorkelers will see many colorful sponges and various forms of coral. |
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Expect to see many reef fish, including a variety of angel fish, blue chromis, damsel fish, parrot fish and file fish, as well as larger species such as nurse sharks, tarpon, queen triggerfish, and barracudas. String rays are often present May through June. Also common are green turtles and sea turtles, which come ashore to nest in April and May, as well as a variety of lobster, shrimp and crabs. For those interested in deep sea diving, St. Barth has approximately 22 sites in the marine park ranging from 6-30 meters deep that offer a chance to see ship wrecks, small caves and coral canyons.
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For the luxury yacht cruiser that needs a break from sun bathing and underwater exploration, then the shopping for stylish clothes and fashion accessories in St. Barth is probably better than anywhere else in the Caribbean. St. Barth’s capital, Gustavia, is a quaint blend of red-roofed villas, brightly painted shops and restaurants, and heavy gray stone buildings that surround a deep u-shaped harbor. Yacht and people watching while sipping a glass of wine and smoking a Gauloise at a waterfront café appears to be the unofficial town pastime, however, shopping is a close runner-up. |
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About 200 duty free chic boutiques and art galleries line the main Rue de la Republique as well as the narrow side streets and lanes. Cartier, Gucci, Hermes, Lacoste and Louis Vuitton are just to name a few. St. Barth’s other main town- the resort village of St. Jean- also has plenty of fashionable shops. In addition to high-end fashion, St. barth’s also has its own brand of beauty products made from local flowers, fruits and spices. Since the islands of the French West Indies are overseas extensions of France, the prices tend to be more expensive than elsewhere in the Caribbean. Thanks to its celebrity status, St. Barth is in a class all its own when it comes to budgetary considerations for shipping. The euro is the official currency on the island, but the US dollar, and of course plastic, is also widely used on St. Barth.
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While wandering Gustavia’s streets shopping, you can tour the historical sites in about one hour, since Hurricane Luis destroyed most of the island’s oldest buildings in 1995. The architectural highlight is the boxy circa 1800 Swedish Wall House which anchors the west side of the harbor from Place Vanadis, named after the last Swedish military vessel to leave St. Barth after the 1878 French repossession ceremony. The former storehouse now contains the Musee de St. Barthelemy. On the south side of the port stands the intimate 1855 St. Bartholomew Anglican church, with its sandstone façade, original marble floor and wood-shingled belfry. |
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Across the street a 10-ton anchor, thought to have come from an 18th century American warship, juts towards the sky. At the other end of town, a red-topped lighthouse graces a promontory once home to Fort Gustaf though little evidence of its military origins remains. The main attraction today is the magnificent view of Gustavia and the surrounding islands.
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With all the sunbathing and shopping, cruisers on a luxury yacht are sure to develop an appetite. As St. Barth has grown ever more popular with the international crowd of jetsetters, the island’s dining scene has become just as cosmopolitan. French-creole cuisine still rules, but you will also find great global fare including Italian, sushi, and tapas menus, as well as the killer burger at Le Select that inspired Jimmy Buffet’s, “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Like shopping, food is pricey- especially when many of the French chefs fly ingredients in from France. Prix- fixe menus are the best deal, since they usually include a starter, main course, and dessert, plus a good selection of French wine. |
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Most meals finish with a few sips of vanilla rum. With over 60 restaurants to choose from, you will not find a bad meal. Do not be surprised to see dogs dining with their owners. St. Barth has one of the most liberal policies regarding pets. Dogs can be brought to the island with vaccination certificates from a veterinarian and no quarantine period is required.
Night life is pretty quiet on St. Barth. “Night life” usually means a leisurely dinner and maybe a star-gazing walk on the beach. There are, however, a couple of clubs where you can let your hair down. The main one is Ti St. Barts in Pointe Milou, which claims to be the cause of many a celebrity hangover.
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St. Barth is considered by many to be the Caribbean’s most beautiful island with dozens of white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and a green hilly landscape dotted with numerous lagoons. It is definitely upscale and a favorite paradise retreat of luxury yachts cruisers as well as the rich and famous including Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and Nureyev. Contact Tim Nelson at Seven Seas Yacht Charters to arrange your luxury yacht charter and be part of the chic Caribbean scene found only on St. Barth. |
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Written By Donna Wolfson
Most Photographs By Donna Wolfson
Copyright © Virgin Island Sailing Ltd.
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