4 Great Beaches in St. Barts

The French-speaking Caribbean nation of St. Barts is synonymous with abundance. What it lacks in size it makes up for in its vastness of designer boutiques, five-star resorts, high-end restaurants and — of course — pristine, white-sand coastline.

Popular sandy spots include the always buzzing Saint-Jean Beach on the island’s north coast and its neighbor, ultra-trendy Nikki Beach. But if travelers are seeking warm, crystal-clear waters with easy swimming access — minus the crowds — there are plenty of options.

During a recent visit to the island with my partner, we rented a car, which is the easiest way for most tourists to get around, and we set out in search of some (mostly) crowd-free stretches of sand. These four beaches quickly became our favorite under-the-radar hot spots.

Shell Beach

Best for: Beachside cocktails and proximity to downtown Gustavia

Shell Beach takes its name from the many shells that make up its quaint shore, which often attracts tourists seeking a small memento from the island. Access to the beach is free, and it’s conveniently located about a 20-minute walk from Gustavia’s downtown and main harbor (there’s also a valet option, which is an added charge). 

Perhaps the true shining star of this beach is Shellona, a beach club/restaurant serving island-inspired, modern Mediterranean fare and refreshing cocktails.

 My partner and I returned to Shellona every day for lunch — it was that good, and it offered a variety of options for his vegan diet. My favorite menu items included phyllo dough-wrapped feta cheese drizzled with honey, the St. Barts-style fish carpaccio with passionfruit green chile dressing and the restaurant’s trio of dips: melitzana (eggplant), hummus and tzatziki. Shaded beach loungers with waiter service can be reserved in advance.

Colombier Beach

Best for: Active adventures paired with stunning bird’s-eye views

If visitors are looking to break a sweat, direct them to Colombier Beach. It can be reached by boat, but real adventurers will want to get to the sand via one of its two hiking trails. 

We took the steep upper trail, which begins at the parking lot at Lookout Point and meanders through the trees, down a steep set of log stairs and down the side of a rocky trail. Travelers should be advised that there is quite a bit of elevation change, and the trail is not accessible for clients with mobility limitations.

Bring plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes, and note that some parts of the trail have loose rocks. We saw some beachgoers bring their own chairs down to Colombier, but we opted to sit on towels we brought in our backpacks — keeping our hands free on the way down.

Grand Cul de Sac Beach

Best for: Snorkeling with sea turtles

Animal lovers seeking wildlife encounters should head to Grand Cul de Sac, a protected bay flanked by luxury hotels and beachside eateries. The beach itself is public and free, and we were able to park our car just steps from the sand.

The waters are calm here, and there are a few shallow sandbars to stand on. The area is also perfect for watersports; as we snorkeled, we were in the company of kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and people on personal watercraft. Although the sea can be a bit murky, it’s worth it to keep your eyes peeled; within 20 minutes, we spotted several sea turtles swimming right alongside us.

Anse de Grande Saline

Best for: Seclusion and (clothing-optional) relaxation

We capped off our day of beach-hunting at Saline Beach, a favored local spot. About an hour before sunset, we had the entire shore almost to ourselves, save for a few beach walkers. Unlike at Grand Cul de Sac, visitors will find waves here, so some swimming ability is advised if venturing into the water. 

A word of warning: We did see families on our way in from the parking lot, but parents should be aware that this beach is clothing-optional, and it’s common for visitors to see nude sunbathers soaking up rays.