11 Best Sights in St. Barthélemy

With its serene seclusion and sandy ocean bottom, this is just about everyone's favorite beach, and is great for swimming, too. Without any major development, it's an ideal Caribbean strand, though there can be a bit of wind at times. In spite of the prohibition, young and old alike go nude. The beach is a 10-minute walk up a rocky dune trail, so wear sneakers or water shoes, and bring a blanket, umbrella, and beach towels. There are several good lunch restaurants near the parking area, but the beach itself is just sand, sea, and sky. The big salt ponds here are no longer in use, and the place looks a little desolate on approach, but don't despair.

On the far side of the harbor known as La Pointe, the charming Municipal Museum on the first floor of the restored Wall House has watercolors, portraits, photographs, traditional costumes, and historic documents detailing the island's history over many hundreds of years, as well as displays of the island's flowers, plants, and marine life. There are also changing contemporary art exhibitions. It's a must-stop on your St. Barth visit, and it's free.

The shallow, reef-protected beach is nice for small children, fly-fishermen, kayakers, and windsurfers—and for the amusing frigate birds that dive-bomb the water fishing for their lunch. You needn't do your own fishing; you can have a wonderful lunch at one of the excellent restaurants nearby and use their lounge chairs for the afternoon. You may see some turtles in the shallow water. After storms the water may be a bit murky.

Because it's so secluded, this beach continues to be a popular place for nude sunbathing. Truly beautiful, it has blissful swimming and views of St. Kitts, Saba, and St. Eustatius. Venture here at the end of the day and watch the sun set behind the hills. The road here from Gustavia also offers spectacular vistas. Legend has it that pirates' treasure is buried in the vicinity. There are no restaurants, toilets, or other services here, so plan accordingly. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: nudists; sunset; swimming; walking.

Like a mini Côte d'Azur—beachside bistros, terrific shopping, bungalow hotels, bronzed sunbathers, windsurfing, and day-trippers who tend to arrive on big yachts—this reef-protected strip is divided by the Eden Rock promontory. Except when the hotels are filled, you can rent chaises and umbrellas at the Pearl Beach restaurant or Eden Rock, where you can lounge for hours over lunch. Bathrooms are available at the hotel.

The beach here is the island's least accessible, thus the most private; to reach it, you'll need to navigate either a rocky footpath from Petite Anse Beach or embark on a 30-minute trek down a steep, cactus-lined trail from the hilltop above. Proper footwear is essential for the hike, and once on the beach, shade is limited to a small rock cave. However, the journey is well worth it for those seeking peaceful isolation, calm waters, and excellent snorkeling opportunities. This spot is also a favorite among boaters, who anchor in the sheltered cove.

This beach is popular with families and surfers, who like its waves and central location. Be aware of the level of the tide, which can come in very quickly. Hikers and avid surfers like the walk over the hill to Pointe Milou in the late afternoon when the waves roll in.

Located on the northwestern coast of the island, this beach offers a peaceful escape from the more tourist-heavy spots. It's a bit rocky and can get fairly windy on some days, marking it a beloved spot by surfers who like to challenge themselves.

This is the most beautiful of the hotel beaches—a roomy strip of silken sand. Come here for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon sunning, enjoying long beach walks, and swimming in the turquoise water. From the beach, you can take a brisk hike along a paved sidewalk to the top of the now-extinct volcano believed to have given birth to St. Barth.

Traces of the island's French provincial origins are evident in this two-street fishing village with a little rocky beach. Stop for the scenery on the way up to Anse de Colombier; it's a 10-minute drive from Gustavia.

Due to its sheltered, south-facing location just south of downtown Gustavia, this small beach is known for the abundance of shells that wash ashore. However, the unspoken rule remains: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." While taxis are available to take you there, most find the walk to be an easy and scenic stroll. For a laid-back island vibe, enjoy a meal at Shellona.