You probably know about St. Barts from its reputation as the premier island for all things glitz and glam, for its chic facades, French-speaking population and designer stores that provide a dazzling stopover on a Caribbean cruise.
If you’ve selected one of the cruise ships that include St. Barts on their itineraries, you’ll have a great opportunity to get a taste of the 8-square-mile island in just a few hours.
I live not far away on Anguilla and have spent enough time to know my way around. So here are some tips on how to maximize a day trip on this gem of the French West Indies:
Morning | Arrival in St. Barts
Gustavia
Gustavia is the hub of St. Barts, a central point for shopping, dining and entertainment. Any time of year, you’ll see a sea of yachts in the harbor, but if you’re arriving during peak season (mid-December through early January) be prepared to glimpse some serious mega-yachts that have made their way to the tiny island paradise.
St. Barts is famous for its high-end shopping scene, and the reputation is well deserved. Your first glimpse after arriving in St. Barts will be a row of designer shops (Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Bulgari) that will either excite or intimidate you, maybe both. You’ll stumble upon some unique finds in Gustavia if you pop by:
- M’Bolo, a little shop and concept store where a lady has been making her own rums for more than 25 years;
- Saint-Barth Stock Exchange, a shop offering some super-stylish second-hand goodies;
- Baya, an eclectic store with home decor curated from around the globe by the shop owner herself.
In need of a bite? Get your morning fix at a bakery or head to La Creperie, where you can fuel on fabulously French crepes with your choice of fillings.
Afternoon | Lunch + beach day at St. Jean Beach
After you’ve had your St. Barts shopping fix while exploring Gustavia, it’s time to head down and explore the other element that makes St. Barts famous: the beach scene. There’s no better place to experience this than at Nikki Beach Saint Barth, located right on St. Jean Beach. With iconic Eden Rock Resort sitting on the point, it’s a stunning stretch with a beautiful contrast of colors; white sand, turquoise waters, peachy-pink rosé and the red-roofed beauty of Eden Rock. You can easily spend hours lazing the afternoon away here, and a bottle of rosé is practically compulsory to complete the St. Barts vibe (you can order a magnum for a real wow factor if you feel so inclined). The sushi is universally delicious and they offer plenty of bikini-friendly light fare to fuel the afternoon. Save up for this splurge: Plan on around €100 per person between food and drinks but think of it as an experience, not just a meal.
If you’d rather stay close to Gustavia, you can also make your way to Shell Beach where you can experience a drawn-out lunch paired with a dip in the sea.
Afternoon {Alternate} | Resort day
If the Nikki Beach scene isn’t your scene, there’s an alternative. Head to a resort where you can while away the day with pool access, spa services, lunch and beach chairs. Hotel Christopher, located on Point Milou, offers a day pass that includes pool access/chair use, a welcome cocktail and a three-course lunch for €80 per person. They have a Sisley Spa on site as well for an extra dose of pampering!
Early evening | Pre-dinner cocktails
After a quick clean up, grab a pre-dinner drink in Gustavia or take the opportunity to explore some of the stunning hotels in St. Barts. For a super elegant sunset option, head to Cheval Blanc on Anse des Flamands or head to iconic Eden Rock to scope out a high-end hotel scene. Depending on when you have to be back to the cruise ship, this could be your final hurrah in St. Barts for the evening, but you’ll be within walking distance of the harbor for a fabulous cap to a day on the island. If your ship is docked for long enough to enjoy dinner in St. Barts, keep reading!
Evening | Dinner or appetizer crawl
You’re in St. Barts for a single day so how do you possibly choose from among all the high-end dining choices on the island? Instead of picking one spot for the night, follow our lead and opt for a dinner and appetizer crawl! With limited time in a destination, this is our absolute favorite way to explore hotels and restaurants that pique our interest without having to choose just one! For a couple, it actually ends up being a perfect – and often more social – way of enjoying the dining scene.
If you’re bouncing around Gustavia, mosey on up to the bar at Bonito, where you’ll be served some fabulous craft cocktails alongside your choice of fresh fish in ceviche or tiradito form (try the sampler of ceviches – it’s perfect for two). From there, don’t miss Orega, where you can continue the raw fish trend and try their sushi or tataki alongside some wildly inventive cocktails (think green tea and spirulina). If you’re a gin lover, the Yuzu cocktail is a must! You can continue on for a casual bite and a sip at Baz Bar, made better if they’re offering live music to keep the night going.
You’ve done it! That’s arguably a perfectly spent day in St. Barts to soak up some of the elements that make St. Barts iconic: shopping in Gustavia, a day at the beach complete with French-inspired drinks, and an evening enjoying some of the wonderful cuisine on the island.
Tell us: How would you spend your day in St. Barts?
Republished and updated from an earlier date.
Day Tripping: Other articles in our series
- A day in St. Thomas: Best bets for cruisers
- 36 hours in Panama — a Travel Dispatch
- 10 top attractions in St. Petersburg, Russia
- San Diego seaplanes: A thrilling tour from the sky
- My ziplining experience across a canyon in Cabo
- 6 top highlights during a cruise to Melbourne
- 6 fun things to do in Anchorage
