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But the island has over 20 distinct beaches and the coves and
bays that house them are on all parts of the island. Virtually
every town and village was established near a beach or marina,
so you'll be sightseeing as you head to a new beach. Swimming
beaches have thick white sand and calm waters. Several have
coral reefs that even a beginner can snorkel over, while others
are perfect for windsurfing, boardsurfing, spearfishing or shell-
collecting.
Beach areas that do not have a
hotel are undeveloped. There are no lounge chairs, umbrellas or
food. Bring a blanket, find a seagrape tree and bring a picnic
lunch. Most of the beach areas are easily accessed by car. You
may have a short walk across the dunes from the parking lot. In
just a few cases, the hike is a true hike, as in Colombier, and
in other cases the access is by boat only. Often, these boat-
accessed beaches are popular with local scuba operators.
TIP
All beaches are open to the public, even those that
front a hotel. Non-hotel guests can rent watersports gear, eat
at the hotel's restaurant, and use the pool for a fee.
Topless bathing is the norm on St. Barts, both on beaches and at
poolside. Although nude bathing is officially illegal, nobody
pays much attention to it and it is commonplace on isolated
beaches on the island's rugged southern shore.
You can play
tennis or squash, then go horseback riding or bicycling.
Your beach-hopping and island exploring will depend on what
activities you enjoy most, but we'll start where everything
starts on St. Barts, in Gustavia, the delightful capital. It is
the only place on the island you simply must see. You can easily
explore the downtown commercial area on foot.
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