What Is St Barts? A Guide to the French Caribbean Island
Its French status and Swedish past, how the island is laid out, and what a trip there involves.
St Barts
A small French island in the Caribbean with a Swedish past, a harbor capital at Gustavia and a dozen main beaches.
St Barts, or Saint-Barthélemy, is a small French island in the northeastern Caribbean, about 30 kilometers from St Martin. It covers roughly 25 square kilometers of steep hills and bays, with a harbor capital, Gustavia, whose street names still recall the island’s Swedish period. There are no large resorts or cruise-ship crowds on the scale of bigger islands: accommodation is mostly private villas and small hotels, and the island’s appeal lies in its beaches, restaurants and French way of life.
Getting there takes some planning, because the airport’s short runway accepts only small aircraft, and most visitors connect through St Maarten. Where you stay shapes the trip too, from the lively harbor and St Jean to quiet bays on the east and west. Our guides start with those decisions.
Start here
The island’s French status and Swedish past, how it is laid out, and what a trip there involves.
Quick facts
- Status
- French overseas collectivity
- Size
- About 21 km²
- Capital
- Gustavia
- Airport
- Gustaf III (SBH), a 646 m runway for small aircraft
- Main gateway
- St Maarten (SXM), then a short flight or ferry
- History
- Swedish colony from 1784 to 1878
- Beaches
- A dozen main public beaches, plus smaller coves
- Marine reserve
- Established 1996, more than 1,000 hectares
Plan your trip
Where to Stay in St Barts: Gustavia, the Bays or the Hills?
Compare the harbor, St Jean, the western bays, the south coast and the east by atmosphere, beaches and driving.
Best Time to Visit St Barts: Seasons, Events and Holiday Weeks
How the high season, holiday weeks, sailing events and hurricane season shape the right dates.
The Beaches of St Barts: How to Choose Where to Swim
How the island’s best-known beaches differ in access, conditions and atmosphere, and the etiquette to follow.
What Is St Barts? A Guide to the French Caribbean Island
Its French status and Swedish past, how the island is laid out, and what a trip there involves.
Getting to St Barts: Flights via St Maarten and Ferries
Choose between a connecting flight and a ferry from St Maarten, and plan luggage, timing and arrival.
Staying in a private villa
Browse St Barts villas with St Barts Villa Rentals (opens in a new tab)
Villas across Gustavia, St Jean, Flamands, Gouverneur, Pointe Milou and the island’s other areas. Confirm location, views and beach access for the specific home. The publisher has an ownership interest in this rental business.