Summary
For a small island, St. Barths (also known as Saint Barthélemy or St. Barts) offers a wide variety of beaches, all of which are lined with beautiful white sand and accessible to the public. On St. Barths, you’ll find typical Caribbean resorts with private beaches, restaurants, and watersports centers, but you’ll also discover hidden strands generally visited by locals or celebrities—sometimes, just yourself.
Moreover, while nudity is expressly prohibited in St. Barths, it has become one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations for topless and nude sunbathing. Therefore, even if you’re not prepared to show it all, be ready to witness it.
Shell Beach
Address: Shell Beach, St Barthélemy
Shell Beach is unique on St. Barths because it is the only major beach within a town and is known for the millions of unique shells that wash up here. Within walking distance from the capital city of Gustavia, it often hosts weekend festivals along the shore.
Shell Beach usually features calm waters and is a welcomed respite after exploring the shops and boutiques in town. For a little adventure, try cliff-diving, or enjoy numerous restaurants for lunch, dinner, and cocktails by the sea.
Grand Cul-de-Sac
Address: Grand Cul-de-Sac, St Barthélemy
Protected by a coral reef, Grand Cul-de-Sac has the calmest waters on St. Barths, remaining shallow for quite a distance into the lagoon. This beach is especially popular with families; however, it also serves as a paradise for windsurfers, kiteboarders, and sailboaters.
The beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, and water-sports outfitters, ensuring you never lack for activities, cuisine, or beverages while visiting.
St. Jean Beach
Address: Saint-Jean, Saint Barthélemy, St Barthélemy
St. Jean Beach is the most popular among St. Baths’ many beaches, mainly due to its convenient location near the airport and the abundance of beachfront hotels, restaurants, and activities.
Similar to all of St. Barths’ beaches, it has white sand and calm waters suitable for terrific snorkeling. However, St. Jean Beach consists of two separate beaches divided by Eden Rock, which hosts a resort of the same name, making it a perfect location for relaxing and watching the occasional plane take off or land at the nearby airport.
Flamand Beach
Address: Baie de Flamands, 97133, St Barthélemy
Flamand Beach is ideal for those who enjoy bodysurfing or boogie boarding, thanks to its rolling (but generally safe) surf. It is also one of the largest beaches on St. Barths, providing plenty of shaded palm trees and space to relax away from the crowds.
Furthermore, Flamands hosts the Flamand Beach Hotel, Hotel Ile de France, and La Langouste restaurant (located at the Hotel Baie des Anges), convenient for relaxation and dining just steps away from the beach.
Gouverneur Beach
Address: Anse du Gouverneur, St Barthélemy
The beach at Gouverneur Bay showcases brilliant cobalt waters ideal for snorkeling or swimming. It consists of a fine stretch of white sand and typically sees relatively few visitors given its more remote location.
The beach boasts stunning views of Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts, and is another favored site for nude sunbathing. However, its distance from Gustavia means that the nearest restaurant is several miles away. If you’re planning to enjoy a day at Gouverneur Bay, be sure to bring all necessary supplies for your time in the sun.
Saline Beach
Address: Plage de Saline, St Barthélemy
The path to Saline Beach is short but can be somewhat tricky; however, the effort is well worth it, especially for those who enjoy nude sunbathing. The left side of the beach is unofficially designated as the naturist section, while the right side is family-oriented.
Saline Beach lacks services and shade, so ensure you bring your own food, beverages, umbrellas, and chairs. This beach can also be windier and a bit rougher than some other St. Barths beaches, so use caution while swimming in these unprotected waters.
Colombier Beach
Address: Colombier, St Barthélemy
Colombier Beach is among the most secluded stretches of sand on St. Barths, as it is accessible only by boat from Gustavia or through a half-hour hike from Flamands Beach.
Also known as Rockefeller Beach, it offers calm waters, excellent snorkeling, and ample privacy—far removed from the bustling capital. However, it does lack services, so be sure to bring plenty of drinks, snacks, and other beach supplies for your day. Many locals also camp overnight here, and you can do the same if you bring appropriate gear and preferably a local guide.
