Comprehensive Parent Guide for a Perfect St. Barts Trip

The Ultimate St. Barts Family Guide

Planning a trip to this chic French-Caribbean island with kids? This St. Barts (or St. Barths) family guide is your one-stop hub for everything family-friendly—from the best calm-water “anses” (coves) and unique beach experiences to kid-approved restaurants and where to stay. Whether you’re bringing toddlers or teens, we’ve got you covered.

Top Things to Do

St. Barts is the perfect blend of chic relaxation and natural adventure. Families can watch small planes land at St. Jean, hike to a hidden beach, explore the charming red-roofed capital, or take a “yellow submarine” to see the reefs.

Explore Gustavia: The capital is a must-see. Kids love walking the harbor, watching the mega-yachts, and hiking up to Fort Karl for a panoramic view of Shell Beach.
St. Jean Beach: The island’s most famous hub. The water is incredibly calm, and kids will be thrilled to watch the small planes take off and land at the adjacent airport.
Hike to Colombier Beach: Make an adventure out of a beach day. This secluded, pristine beach is only accessible by a 20-minute hike or by boat.
Shell Beach (Anse de Grand Galet): A unique beach made of millions of tiny shells, just a short walk from Gustavia. The water is calm and perfect for a quick dip.
Yellow Submarine (Le Sous-Marin Jaune): A fun semi-submersible boat with a glass bottom, offering kids a dry way to see the colorful fish and reefs of the marine reserve.

Top List of Things to Do

Best Beaches for Kids

With 14 public beaches, finding a family-friendly spot is easy. St. Barts’ coves are famous for their incredibly calm, clear, and shallow turquoise water, making the island a perfect natural swimming pool for children of all ages.

Lorient Beach: Often called the island’s best family beach. One side has gentle waves for bodyboarding, while the other is a reef-protected, shade-filled “baby pool” that is perfectly calm for toddlers.
St. Jean Beach: The island’s center of activity. The water is pool-like, shallow, and protected, making it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and floating.
Flamands Beach: A stunning, wide beach with soft, white sand. It’s great for running and playing, though the water can have small waves (a “shore break”).
Shell Beach: Walkable from Gustavia, this unique beach is very calm and a favorite for families staying in town.

See Best Family Beaches

Top Ranked Family Stays

From luxurious private villas that cater to every need to chic boutique hotels, St. Barts has lodging for every family style. Villas are the most popular choice for families, offering space, privacy, and private pools. The island is not an all-inclusive destination.

Private Villa Rentals: The most common family accommodation. Renting a villa (often with 2+ bedrooms and a pool) is the best way to get space and comfort.
St. Jean Area: The most popular hub, known for its calm beach, shops, and restaurants. Ideal for families who want to be in the center of the action.
Gustavia: Perfect for families who want to be in the walkable capital, close to restaurants and the harbor.
Luxury Hotels: Many of the island’s top hotels (like Le Guanahani or Eden Rock) are very family-friendly, offering kids’ programs and family suites.

Top-Ranked Family Stays

Snorkeling with Kids

St. Barts’ clear waters and protected coves are perfect for introducing kids to snorkeling. Many beaches offer decent snorkeling right from the shore, and dedicated boat trips can take families to shallow offshore reefs teeming with life.

Colombier Beach: A fantastic spot in the marine reserve. It’s famous for the sea turtles that frequent the bay. Reach it by boat or hiking trail.
Lorient Beach: The reef that protects the “baby pool” area is a great, easy spot for beginners to see colorful fish in shallow water.
St. Jean Beach: The rocky area around the Eden Rock hotel is a surprisingly good and easy-to-access spot for kids to snorkel from the beach.
Fourchue Island: A popular boat trip destination, this rugged, uninhabited island offers pristine, world-class snorkeling in a protected bay.

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Family-Friendly Hikes

While known for its chic lifestyle, St. Barts also has several fantastic, scenic hikes. These trails are a great way to see the island’s natural, rugged beauty and access its most secluded beaches.

Colombier Beach Trail: The island’s most famous family hike. A 20-minute trail leads to a stunning, uncrowded beach.
Fort Karl: A very easy, short walk up a marked path from Gustavia to see historic fort ruins and the best panoramic view of the harbor.
Toiny Coast Trail: A more rugged, 45-minute coastal trail that leads to a beautiful natural pool (Piscine Naturelle). Best for older kids.

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Where to Eat

St. Barts’ dining scene is world-class, but it’s also surprisingly family-friendly. You’ll find a wide range of options from casual toes-in-the-sand beach clubs to fun creperies and pizzerias in town.

Beach Clubs (e.g., in St. Jean): Casual, open-air spots right on the sand are perfect for a family lunch. Kids can play while parents relax.
Bakeries (Boulangeries):** A must-do. Grabbing fresh croissants, pastries, and sandwiches from a local bakery is an easy and delicious meal.
**Casual Eateries in Gustavia:** The capital is full of family-friendly spots, including casual pizzerias, creperies (like Le Creperie), and gelaterias.
**Supermarkets:** With many families staying in villas, the island’s high-end supermarkets (like Match or U-Market) are a popular stop for groceries.

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Regional Breakdown

St. Barts is a small island, and everything is just a short (but scenic) drive away. The island is centered around its capital, Gustavia, and its main beach hub, St. Jean.

Gustavia: The capital. Historic, walkable, and packed with shops, restaurants, and the harbor. Home to Shell Beach.
St. Jean: The “heart” of the island. Home to the famous beach, airport, and many popular shops and restaurants. The most central place to stay.
Lorient & Marigot:** Quieter, more residential areas on the northern coast, home to Lorient beach and a more local, laid-back feel.
Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac: A large, protected bay with several hotels, known for its extremely shallow, calm water and watersports.

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Local Tips

Driving is on the **right** side of the road. Roads are **very steep, narrow, and winding**. Drive with extreme caution.
The tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, but bottled water is widely preferred for taste.
Currency is the **Euro (€)**. **USD is widely accepted**, but your change may be given in Euros.
Power plugs are **European (Type E or F)** with **220V**. U.S. travelers will need adapters and, for non-dual-voltage items, a converter.
All 14 beaches in St. Barts are public, even those in front of hotels.
Language is **French**, but English is spoken in all hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Best Time to Visit

St. Barts’ peak season is from December to April, offering the best and driest weather. The shoulder seasons (May-June and November) are great for fewer crowds and lower prices. Many hotels and restaurants close for their annual break during the lowest season, from late August to early October.

Getting Around

Taxis are very expensive and not always readily available. **Renting a car is essential**. Due to the narrow, winding roads and tight parking, a **small, compact car** (like a Mini Cooper, Fiat 500, or Smart Car) is highly recommended over a large SUV.

What to Pack

**European Power Adapters (and a converter)**
Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards
Bug spray (especially for evenings)
Water shoes for snorkeling and rocky coves
Snorkel sets to explore right from the beach
Sun hats and sunglasses
(Optional) “Island chic” but comfortable clothes for family dinners

We hope you found this St. Barts family guide useful. For more general travel info, visit the Wikivoyage page on St. Barts.