Saint-Barthélemy, known to everyone as St Barths, is the Caribbean’s most glamorous yachting island. It is small, French and beautifully kept, with a harbour full of superyachts, white-sand beaches and some of the best restaurants in the region. It is also only a short cruise from St Martin and Anguilla, which makes it an easy centrepiece for a week on a crewed yacht.
When to Go
The charter season runs from December to April, outside the Atlantic hurricane season. Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks, and the best yachts for those dates book up early. January to March brings steady trade winds and lovely conditions, and the spring regattas add atmosphere in March and April. For more on timing and rates, see our Caribbean season guide.
Gustavia
The island’s capital wraps around a small, sheltered harbour lined with boutiques, bars and restaurants. Yachts anchor in the outer harbour or moor stern-to along the quay, and the town is easy to explore on foot or by tender. Shell Beach is a short walk from the harbour and a good spot for a late-afternoon swim.
The Best Anchorages and Beaches
Anse de Colombier
A protected bay on the north-west tip of the island, reached only by sea or by a walking trail. Calm water, turtles and good snorkelling make it the classic first stop.
Saint-Jean
The island’s best-known beach, with beach clubs and lunch spots right on the sand. A lively place to spend an afternoon ashore.
Gouverneur and Saline
Two wide, undeveloped beaches on the south coast. Conditions depend on the swell, so your captain will choose the right day to visit.
Île Fourchue
A rugged, uninhabited island a short way off the coast, popular for a quiet lunch at anchor and a swim away from the crowds.
New Year’s Eve in St Barths
New Year is St Barths’ signature event. The harbour and the anchorage outside Gustavia fill with yachts, and the fireworks over the bay are best seen from your own deck. Demand is extremely high, so festive charters here usually come with longer minimum stays and fixed dates. Our Christmas and New Year charter guide explains how the festive weeks work.
Our advice: if you want to be in St Barths for New Year, ask us as early as possible. We check live availability across the fleet, including yachts that are not widely advertised.
Combining St Barths with St Martin and Anguilla
Most St Barths charters start and finish in St Martin, which has the main international airport in the area. From there, a week might include the anchorages and restaurants of St Martin, the long white beaches and quiet cays of Anguilla, and several days around St Barths itself. Passages are short, so you spend more time at anchor than at sea.
Which Yacht Suits St Barths?
Motor yachts are the most popular choice here, for their space, service and ability to move quickly between islands. Crewed catamarans offer excellent value and stability at anchor, especially for families. Over the festive period, larger yachts are usually quoted plus expenses with an Advance Provisioning Allowance, while many catamarans are all-inclusive. Our guide to yacht charter costs, APA and tips explains the difference.
Planning a St Barths charter?
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[…] The Caribbean’s most glamorous New Year. Gustavia harbour fills with superyachts, and the fireworks over the bay are best seen from the water. Ideal for guests who want restaurants, beach clubs and atmosphere. Read our St Barths yacht charter guide. […]