Shallow Waters/Healthy Coral Reefs
Located in the northwest Caribbean Sea, there are few places in the world as beautiful and charming as Saint Barthélemy also known as St Barts (English) or St. Barth (French). Best known for its white sandy beaches, scuba divers will enjoy over 25 diving sites, most of which are in the Marine Nature Reserve which surrounds the island and islets. Scuba divers of all levels will appreciate the protected marine flora and fauna and a wide range of wrecks and canyons. Due to the shallow waters and the sandy bottom of the sea, St Barts dives provide excellent visibility that impress diving enthusiasts.
GETTING THERE
Air: Saint Barthelemy has a small airport on the north coast of the island called Gustaf III airport that can only welcome small planes. International visitors must first fly into St Martin or Guadeloupe and then transfer by island-hopper flight or ferry to Saint Barthelemy (SBH).
Ferries: Departing every morning and evening, Monday-Friday, Great Bay Express ferries the 75-minute journey between Marigo and St Martin. A higher speed ferry, The Edge, makes the 45-minute trip between Pelican Marina from St Martins Dutch side to Gustavia.
Yacht Service: The yacht charter company, Windward Islands, offers service in St Barts.
GETTING AROUND
Car Rentals: Numerous car rental agencies operate from the airport and in Gustavia.
Walking: Walking is the preferred mode of transportation on the island.
Scooters: Scooters, motorbikes, quads, and ATVs are also for rent by several companies.
Taxi: Taxi Service can be obtained at stations in Gustavia and the airport.
GOOD TO KNOW
Country: France
Time Zone: UTC-4:00
Primary Language: French and English
Currency: EUR
Cell Phone Service: Roaming Fees Apply.
Voltage: 230V Plug C, E
Passport and Visa: Valid passports are necessary for at least 3 months. A return ticket is also required.
Hurricane Details: June-November
Top Dive Shops in this Country
DIVE CONDITIONS
Water Temperature: 79-85 degrees F
Water Visibility: 65-98 feet
When to Go: January – May are when the seas are the calmest.
Diving Difficulty: Beginner – Advanced
TOP DIVE SITES IN SAINT BARTHÉLEMY
Saint Barthélemy caters to the diving enthusiast! Listed are some of the very best that this island can offer divers:
- Coco Islands Caves offers several dive sites on a shallow flat area located off the southern coast. Offering caves, walls and reefs, divers will enjoy swim-through tunnels rich with encrusting corals and sponges. With depths up to 80 feet, there are dive sites suitable for all levels of divers. Advanced divers can explore the cave location where currents are stronger. Highlights of this dive include turtles, stingrays, and sharks.
- Pain de Sucre (Sugar Loaf) is the most popular dive site in St Barts due to the many different diving sites at this location. Located to the west of Gustavia, this site offers gentle slopes with a variety of corals and sponges at a maximum depth of 92 feet. The large rock formation is home to a variety of marine life such as spiny lobsters, schools of barracuda, turtles, eagle rays, big-eye jacks, and nurse sharks.
- Tombant de Colombier (Colombier Wall) is located to the northwest with a maximum depth of 90 feet. Due to its stronger currents, this dive is suitable for more advanced divers. Highlights of this dive are spiny lobsters, angelfish, eagle rays, and schools of tropical fish.
- Ile Fourchue is halfway between St Barts and St Martin. Suitable for all levels of divers, this site is home to turtles, barracuda, stingrays, and dolphins. At a depth of 50 feet, this is a wonderful place for drift diving.
- L’Ane Rouge (Red Donkey) is a rocky pinnacle with a sandy bottom located in the northwest. At a depth of 82 feet and stronger currents, this site is suitable for advanced divers. This site is home to barracuda, eagle rays, stingrays, and turtles.
- Kayalie Wreck is an old fishing boat at a depth of 100 feet. Advanced divers can penetrate this site. Divers can expect to see turtles and rays.
- Nonstop Wreck is located east of La Baleine. This 200-foot yacht sank during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Nonstop Wreck rests upside down in 50 feet of water. Although not safe to penetrate, divers will see hard and soft encrustations on the steel hull. Divers will spot a variety of reef fish.
- Forchue is suitable for all levels of divers. At 80 feet, divers will see a diverse reef that is home to small and large sea life.
- Columiba is home to several divers for all skill levels. This wall dive is full of sea life including large groups of lobster, turtles, stingrays, eagle rays and a variety of tropical fish.
- Boulanger is suitable for advanced divers with several caves and swim-throughs. The site is home to beautiful corals and sponges that are home to many varieties of tropical fish. During whale season, divers can hear their mating songs. Dolphins, eagle rays, sharks and turtles can be found here.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN SAINT BARTHÉLEMY
- Windsurfing is a popular activity done in many of the Cul-de-sacs around St Barts. The shallow and sheltered bays make an ideal spot for windsurfing or kitesurfing. The bay water is warm and calm with just enough wind needed for speed.
- Colombier Beach is a secluded beach located on the northwest end of the island. The beach is only accessible by boat and offers a powdered coral beach with pristine, turquoise waters. This is a perfect place for a picnic. There is also a hiking opportunity allowing visitors stunning views.
- Hiking to the Washing Machine begins in Grand Fond. Visitors will walk along a rocky beach to cliffs that overlook the ocean. The small beach below offers water that whips and smashes dangerously against the shore resembling a washing machine. The half hour hike continues to Piscines Naturalles known as another famous area in St Barts. Visitors are welcome to swim and enjoy the natural pools of water before heading back to Grand Fond.
- Gustavia is the capital city of St Barts and full of high-end restaurants and shops. Visitors can visit historical sites such as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. This Catholic church dates to the 19th century and shows off its Spanish-influenced architecture including the arched entrance and a beautiful marble floor. Visitors can explore the funeral chapel dedicated to Sister Armelle who passed away in the 1940s, the Sacred Heart dome dedicated to the St Barts sailors, and the bell tower. The Gustavia Lighthouse is still operational and home to incredible views of the island and water. The Wall Museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of St Barts existence from a Swedish colony before being repurchased by France in 1778.
- Fort Karl was built when the Swedish occupied the island in the 18th and 19th Along with Fort Gustav and Octav, the forts were built to protect Gustavia from pirate attacks. Fort Karl is located on a small hill that overlooks Shell Beach offering magnificent views of Gustavia, especially when the sun is setting.
- Shell Beach is a small, charming beach just a short walk from Gustavia. The beach is hidden on a cliff-lined shore.
- Bay St Jean is located close to the airport and visitors can watch the small planes flying into and off the island. The iconic Hotel Eden, known as the most luxurious hotel on the island is located here and well as the famous Nikki Beach Bar.
St Bart is one of the most picturesque islands in the Caribbean and is known as the playground for the rich and famous. Divers will enjoy the gorgeous reefs as well as its wrecks and caverns. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, incredible restaurants and extensive water activities, there are plenty of activities both above and below the waters. This luxury island is a perfect destination for the whole family.