St. Barts is famous for its beaches, warm welcome, and wonderful scenery. If you want to do more than just lie on a white sandy beach and take selfies for Instagram, the island has great water sports you can try during your vacation.

The island is popular for families, many of whom book St. Barts villas to enjoy an extra degree of flexibility and privacy. Because of this, a large portion of the island’s activities are suitable for both adults and kids.

Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac is the top location for water sports on St. Barts. Whether you are staying in one of the many luxurious St. Barts villas or a family resort hotel, Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac is easy to reach. The calm, shallow waters are protected by coral reefs and you can try snorkeling, kite surfing, kayaking, and fishing from the beach. Water sports enthusiasts will love this beach – it also has some nice restaurants and eateries nearby, for when you’ve built up an appetite!

Swimming

The waters around St. Barts are wonderfully clear and shallow. Many of the beaches are easily accessible and home to restaurants and hotels, but you will hardly ever find them crowded. Marigot Beach is very quiet and tranquil, with lovely calm waters. Lorient Beach is popular with families. The only beach not recommended for swimming is Toiny Beach, as the currents can be strong there.

Sailing

Sailing is a popular activity. Book a half-day or full-day charter and let your captain guide you to the best swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving spots on the island. Sunset cruises are also popular, especially for couples. There are several scenic spots to drop anchor, and you can always just soak up the sun on deck. More adventurous travelers can learn to sail by booking lessons at the Sailing School.

Snorkeling

The island is surrounded by shallow waters and colorful coral reefs, so snorkeling is a very popular activity for people of all ages. Some reefs can be reached from shore, but the majority are only accessible via boat.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving around St. Barts is not as popular as it is on other Caribbean islands, but there are 22 different dive sites to explore. There are two underwater wrecks, some caverns and walls, and plenty of colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life. Most of the dive sites are located in the protected Marine Park, which is accessible when you pay a one Euro fee. You can buy your pass from the park office in Gustavia.

Deep Sea Fishing

Check out deep sea fishing if you want to try your hand at catching barracuda, tuna, and wahoo in the waters around St. Barts. You can also have a go at taming blue or white Marlin, if you dare. If this sounds like fun, charter a boat and skipper and sail out into the deep water.

Surfing

If you want to try surfing, Lorient Beach and Anse des Cayes are your best choices. Winter is the best time for surfing, as the waves are bigger and the off-shore breezes are stronger.

Water sports equipment can be rented from huts on most of the popular beaches.