“Flying into St Barths is an experience in itself! The runway is short and the landings themselves are a sight to behold! And then the fun really begins! Fabulously reminiscent of St Tropez, the island has long been a magnet for the world’s glitterati, who flock to this French-speaking slice of island paradise in their droves (repeatedly!). First up, there’s a rolodex of upscale resorts and private villas. Then there’s the resplendent white-sand beaches, including St Jean – parallel to Gustavia and the island’s most active; Flamands – one of the longest; and Gouverneur and Colombier – more ‘off-the-beaten-track’.
The cerulean seas and colourful coral reefs are just begging to be explored (as are the über-cool beach clubs like Nikki Beach, Nao and Shellona); and it’s a veritable culinary powerhouse too, with a wide selection of French-influenced gourmet restaurants. Oh, and don’t forget the 200-plus exclusive boutiques in Gustavia and St Jean. But there’s also much more to St Barths, like the ruins of Fort Gustave or Fort Karl, the Wall House Museum and Vieux Clocher (Gustavia’s oldest building). The dramatic, mountainous landscape is well worth exploring, with hikes to hidden tide pools from Petit Cul-de-Sac Beach (not for the faint-hearted) to Grand Fond Natural Pools (a little easier to get to).
Top tip: Renting a car is highly recommended, as taxis can be few and far between.
