10 Best Things to Do in St. Barts • Top St. Barts Attractions

St. Barts is one of the smallest but poshest of the Caribbean islands, lacking in none of the attractions of the other larger islands.

If anything, St. Barts does things bigger and better than its larger counterparts. 

One of the regrets on the plane ride home from any vacation, is wishing you had time to do everything you wanted. With St. Barts, you won’t need to have that regret because this fun-filled island is only 25 sq km, meaning you can easily see and experience all the top St. Barts attractions.

It still requires a little bit of planning and knowhow though, which is why we’ve put together this list of the top 10 things to do in St. Barts so you can fly home with no regrets.

Article Guide

• Best Beach in St. Barts
• Best Hike in St. Barts
• Best Diving Spot in St. Barts
• Best Snorkeling in St. Barts
• Best Fishing Spot in St. Barts
• Best Museum in St. Barts
• Best Nightlife Experience
• Best Beach Club in St. Barts
• Best Places to Shop in St. Barts
• Must-See Landmark

Top-Rated Things to Do in St. Barts

Time to plan your St. Barts adventure, so get your checklist out and start writing! 

#1. Best Beach in St. Barts: Saint Jean

Saint Jean is the most popular tourist beach in St. Barts, with hotels, restaurants and shopping all in close walking distance. It is also close to the airport, which means Saint Jean beach is the first thing you will see when entering and leaving the island. It is actually 2 beaches, separated by Eden Rock resort, which sticks out into the ocean. 

Its calm waters are great for snorkeling and safe for swimming. Especially for families with small kids, the water is shallow for a long way in and the current isn’t strong so it’s perfect for all members of the family. Its flat waters also make it ideal for most water sports.

Category: Beach.

Neighborhood: Saint Jean.

Hours of operation: Open all day.

Best for: Families, water sports, sunbathing.

Time to spend here: All day.

#2. Best Hike in St. Barts: Colombier Beach

Colombier beach is probably the most stunning beach in St. Barts, so you’re probably wondering why it didn’t make the top spot for the best beach. Well, Colombier is not easily accessible and can only be reached by boat, or, you guessed it, by hike! 

There are two coastal trails leading to the beach and the destination is worth it! The upper trail begins at Lookout Point but it is not an easy trail and certainly not for beginner hikers. 

The lower trail is far less arduous and begins at Flamands beach. From there you will follow a gentle decline along the northern shoreline until you reach Colombier beach. Make sure to carry your camera as the scenery is breathtaking!

Category: Hiking, beach, picnic.

Neighborhood: Colombier.

Hours of operation: Open all day.

Best for: Explorers, lovers of nature and landscapes. 

Time to spend here: All day if you plan to spend time at Colombier itself. 

#3. Best Diving Spot in St. Barts: The Kaïali

Scuba diving in the warm waters of St. Barts is a must! The channel between St. Barts and St. Martin is only 30m deep, and with such shallow waters, the sunlight reaches all the way to the seabed, illuminating the coral and reefs, bringing out their striking colours. Throughout these waters you will see tropical fish of all kinds and colours. 

There are numerous dive sites in St. Barts - 22 to be exact - and with such consistent and calm waters all around you are likely to have a good experience with any one of them. Our top pick is The Kaïali wreck dive site. It has 2 entrances and the surrounding area's large caverns to explore as well. The site is recommended for those with some experience, and of course done safely with a guide. 

Category: Diving.

Neighborhood: Off the port of Gustavia. 

Hours of operation: N/A

Best for: Aquatic explorers, diving enthusiasts.

Time to spend here: 2-3hrs. 

#4. Best Snorkeling in St. Barts: Colombier Beach

Yes, the same Colombier beach that we suggested as the best hiking destination; once you reach there you will also find it’s one of the best places to snorkel in St. Barts. The area falls under St Barthélemy Natural Reserve, a protected area covering 1200 hectares of marine environments. This means the coral, reef and marine life in the area is protected by law and therefore well preserved. 

As mentioned it is also accessible by boat, if you don’t feel like hiking there. Apart from the beauty of the Caribbean underwater, you can also spot green sea turtles, stingray, shark sucker and barracuda easily. Whether you get there by boat or hiking, you will surely enjoy your time snorkeling at Colombier.

Category: Snorkeling, underwater exploring.

Neighborhood: Colombier.

Hours of operation: N/A

Best for: Snorkeling enthusiasts, aquatic explorers. 

Time to spend here: With the boat ride/hike, a picnic and some snorkeling, you could spend all day here.

#5. Best Fishing Spot in St. Barts: Corossol

Marine life in St. Barts is well protected from exploitation, under strict laws. Fishing is therefore quite controlled, but not restricted. For example, the Marine Reserve has 5 sanctuary areas where you can fish, but the rules are tight and you will have to find out directly from the Marine Reserve exactly where those 5 areas are. 

The good news is that you can fish outside of the marine reserve, and other travelers who are fishing enthusiasts have recommended the coastal village of Corossol. It is quieter and away from the busy tourist hotspots so you can fish without disturbance. You can either go at it alone, by simply asking the local fishermen where the good spots are, or you can book an offshore fishing charter excursion. Either way, at Corossol you can expect to catch Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Barracuda, Marlin, and more.

Category: Fishing.

Neighborhood: Corossol.

Hours of operation: N/A

Best for: Fishermen. 

Time to spend here: All day.

#6. Best Museum in St. Barts: St. Barth Municipal Museum

The building in the centre of the image above is the St. Barth (only English speakers say Barts) Municipal Museum. Here you will learn all about the history and culture of the island through preserved documents, photographs and exhibitions. 

Entrance is free and the onsite guide will walk you through the exhibitions and answer any questions you may have. You will learn the history of the sale of St. Barts to the Swedes and what led to that historic event, as well as the transfer of ownership back to the French. There are, of course, other types of museums on the island, but we will feel that a museum should primarily tell the history of a place, and that is what you will find here.

For those interested in art, check out Pati’s Gallery and Les Petits Carreaux. 

Category: Museums, history.

Neighborhood: Gustavia.

Hours of operation: 10am - 5pm. 

Best for: History buffs. 

Time to spend here: 1hr (it’s quite small). 

#7. Best Nightlife Experience: Le Ti

Le Ti is that all in one place where you can spend your entire night; with good food, drinks, dancing and a cabaret show. It is a supper club with a Moulin Rouge vibe and full bar on the terrace. Think of a fusion between Paris and Marrakech with burlesque dancers. The cuisine is international, specializing in charcoal grill, but as the night goes on there’s less eating and more drinking!

There is a resident DJ the entire night, but international DJ’s frequently make guest appearances. The wine list is extensive and the cocktails are plentiful, but they can be a little pricey. The place can get quite full but parking doesn’t have to be a frustration with valet service. It is also frequented by celebrities so don’t be surprised if Johnny Depp walks through the door!

Category: Nightlife.

Neighborhood: Pointe Milou. 

Hours of operation: Dinner starts at 7pm, cabaret show at 9pm.

Best for: “Dinner and a show”

Time to spend here: All night. 

#8. Best Beach Club in St. Barts: Nikki Beach Club 

 Nikki Beach Club is the original luxury beach club in St. Barts, with music, dining, entertainment, fashion, film and art all in one place. During weekdays it is a quiet place to enjoy the beach, have a nice lunch and some cocktails, but on weekends and at night it becomes a beach party destination like no other. Sundays are “Champagne Sunday” (as pictured above) with extra large bottles of champagne all around!

The place transforms into a nightclub on the beach, with live music, International DJs and dancing with your toes in the sand. It is frequented by celebrities as well, purely for its lively atmosphere. Many fashion shows and film festivals are held here, so it can get quite formal and posh as well. 

Category: Beach club, nightlife. 

Neighborhood: Saint Jean. 

Hours of operation: Beach club opens at 10:30am, restaurant 12pm - 5pm

Best for: Sunbathers who transform into party animals after hours!

Time to spend here: All evening. 

#9. Best Places to Shop in St. Barts

With over 200 boutique stores crammed into such a small island, St. Barts is a paradise for shopaholics. Instead of picking a favourite store, here are some stores you can check out depending on what you’re looking for:

• Cosmetics - You can buy designer cosmetics and your favourite brands where you live, so why not try an original line of products made right on the island using its own natural ingredients. Ligne St. Barth Cosmetics offers products made from West Indian herbs and medicinal plants. 
• Jewellery - At Cheval Blanc, not only will you find the top designer brands, but you will discover some rare jewellery made by local designers. After all, who wants to wear something that other people have?
• Swimwear - Delfina is an Italian brand that was stocked in Barneys, New York, and you can find their store here in St. Barts. Cigars - Not only will you find the best collection of cigars at La Casa del Habano, but you can even buy hats from Ecuador!
• Local Clothing - For Caribbean style clothing Pati de St. Barth has a good selection of clothes and accessories.

For Speciality & Gift shops, try Le Gout du Vin St-Barth, Laurent Effel or Black Swan Boutique.

Category: Shopping

Neighborhood: Spread out across the island.

Hours of operation: Stores generally operate from 10am - 7pm.

Best for: Shopaholics.

Time to spend here: As long as your credit card will allow!

#10. Must-See Landmark: Swedish Clock Tower

This monument in the heart of Gustavia, located next to the old prison (also Swedish), takes you back in history to the time when the Swedes controlled the island. If you don’t mind the climb to the top, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Gustavia harbour from there. The building and the scenery makes for good photography so be sure to carry your camera. 

If you’re doing the museum, it will be a good idea to include this on the itinerary for that day as its history ties in. Two other honourable mentions are the Gustavia Lighthouse and the Church of the Lady of Our Assumption. Both of these are also in Gustavia, so you could do a full day of historical sightseeing. 

Category: Landmarks, historical.

Neighborhood: Gustavia.

Hours of operation: N/A

Best for: History buffs, those who enjoy old architecture. 

Time to spend here: Full day if you plan to see all 3 landmarks. 

And there’s 10 amazing things you can easily do during your stay in St. Barts. This time you’ll be flying back home with no regrets; you came, you saw, you explored it all!