Destination Guide · Leeward Islands
St. Barts
Gustavia, Saline, and Colombier — eight square miles that punch above their weight in everything from food to anchorages.
From Antigua
85 nautical miles north · day passage
Best time to sail
December through April. Mid-December to early January is the social season — book months ahead. February-March are calmer with the same weather.
Saint-Barthélemy is small and dense — eight square miles of green hills, half-moon bays, and a single port town that becomes the centre of the Caribbean charter scene every December. We sail here as part of every St. Martin week charter, and as a long stop on Antigua-to-St. Martin deliveries.
Anchoring options are limited but excellent: Gustavia harbour for the buzz, Colombier in the north-west for solitude, Saline and Gouverneur on the south coast for swimming. Day-tripper traffic is light — the island stays small and exclusive — so guests arriving by yacht are treated as residents.
Charter guests come for two reasons: the food and the beaches. Gustavia has more Michelin-recognized restaurants per square mile than anywhere in the Caribbean. The beaches — Saline, Gouverneur, Shell Beach — are public, beautiful, and walkable from the harbour. We can arrange dinner reservations, sunset drinks at Shellona, and a tender to Colombier for an empty afternoon.
Anchorages
Gustavia harbour
The capital and only working port. Mediterranean-style stern-to mooring in season; otherwise we anchor in the outer harbour and tender in. Town a five-minute walk away.
Anse de Colombier
Marine-park anchorage on the north-west tip — only accessible by sea or a 30-minute hike. Mooring balls in 20 ft of clear water; the beach is almost always empty.
Anse du Gouverneur
South coast, exposed in northerlies but spectacular in settled weather. White sand crescent, minimal development.
Ashore
Gustavia
Walk the harbour for boutiques and restaurants. Le Sélect for a beer, Bagatelle for a long lunch, Shellona at Shell Beach for sunset.
Saline Beach
South-coast public beach, no buildings, no umbrellas. A 15-minute drive from Gustavia or a 40-minute walk through the hills. Bring sunscreen.
Colombier hike
From the trailhead at the end of the road in Petit Anse, a 30-minute walk down to the beach. Most arrive by yacht — on foot you'll often have it to yourself.
Pair St. Barts with
St. Martin Week Charter
St. Barts is a two-day stop on every St. Martin week — Gustavia overnight and Colombier for the day.
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Leeward Islands Week
Northern leg of the full Leewards loop — included in week-long charters from Antigua.
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RexSailing · Antigua · St. Martin