St. Barths Early August, A Quieter Time On the Island

ST. BARTHS

I love visiting St. Barths in early August, a quieter time on the island. St. Barths has a distinct, French feel and is more popular with European visitors at this time of year. It is surprisingly green, but also has beautiful white sand beaches typical of its Caribbean location. Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite places on the island:

Stay

Wimco Villas offers a wonderful selection of private villas on St. Barths, whether you want to be in the hills with a view and a pool, or nearer the beach. WIMCO organizes transport to and from the airport, and assigns you a personal concierge to plan anything from a massage to a dinner reservation.

Eat

For lunch, try the fish fritters at Dõ Brazil overlooking Shell Beach. The candle-lit Italian restaurant, L’Isola is a lovely spot for dinner, as is Jean-Claude Dufour’s French restaurant, L’Esprit Saline. St. Barths’s institution, Maya’s offers a menu that changes daily, but the lovely view over Gustavia Harbor is a constant.

Beaches

There are 22 beaches on this island, but my favorites are the quieter options Anse de Gouverneur, surrounded by steep cliffs, and Grande Saline, a secluded stretch of sand—be aware both are clothing optional! Colombier Beach is a local favorite with a calm bay that’s a great place to snorkel.

Spa & Beauty

Indulge on vacation with a treatment at your villa by OceanCulture—try the Vitalizing Calendula, Coco, or Eau de Rêve massages. Or visit Spa L’Oasis for a facial, massage, or a mani-pedi—there’s an entire wall of nail lacquer colors to choose from!

Style Tip: A boho bikini is perfect for St. Barths, such as Kiini’s vibrant, hand-crocheted bikinis in Cobalt and Navy, while the Ambas Cassaca Tunic is an ideal cover-up for a beach-side lunch. And don’t forget to pack the stylish and versatile Arienzo sandals from the AERIN Capri Collection.

Originally published on AERIN