St Barths will always be the place to be! For a small island, St. Barth feels like a much bigger place. Above the Caribbean’s turquoise waters, the hills rise asymmetrically and pitch toward one slope, much like an ocean wave. The towering palms, night-blooming cacti and decorative blooms of wild trumpets and frangipanis, make it hard to imagine that all of St. Barth was once an active volcano.
The population of St. Barth is approximately 9,000 people, most of whom are French expatriates or the descendants of the original French settlers. But St. Barth, which was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and named after his brother Bartolomeo, is more than just a French collective.
After the first French colony failed 1648, the next 200 years saw many inhabitants: from the Knights of Malta to the British military to the Swedes, who stayed on the island for nearly a century.
Today, sailors to St. Barth come to the island for three reasons: the beauty and the feel of France in the Caribbean. There are sixteen beaches in St Barths. From Shell beach with its infinite shells to Salines and Governor with its turquoise waters or Colombier only accessible on foot or by boat.
Besides the modern shops selling French fashion, most of the architecture in Gustavia dates back to when the Swedes arrived in the late 1700s. Prada, Dolce Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes—all the luxury brands are present in the small town of Gustavia…
The Carnival of Saint Barts offers a costumed parade open to all in the streets of Gustavia. We had a blast yesterday !
St.Barth ~Anchoring and Mooring Balls: It is possible to anchor in the outer harbor, or you may find a mooring buoy available in the inner harbor.
Anchoring and mooring is not free but is affordable, mooring inside the harbor, 36 Euro for Ambra. The fee structure is based on length of boat and length of stay and there are high and low season rates (HS & LS), to be paid in Euros upon departure.
The most popular alternative is to anchor off Fort Oscar, northwest of the harbor, on the seaside of the red buoys marking the channel.
Gustavia is a delightful small port and town, really worthy of spending a full day visiting, shopping, great French bakeries and French dining (about 50 restaurants), everything being on the expensive side though, especially in the high season. We recommend renting a little Jeep for the day and tour the island and some of its beaches, most of which can fulfill the dreams of any sun freak!
Lastly, all boating services are available there. One last word: St Barts during the Xmas holidays is a real zoo, and Gustavia really swings.
Even though St. Barth is an ocean away from the mother country, the island’s chefs have brought French gastronomy to the Caribbean. Check out the best Restaurants:
Hinterlasse einen Kommentar