
Enjoy Luxury and Warm Weather in St. Barthélemy
Global – Are you ready to skip ahead to warmer weather? If you are, you might like to take a flight down to St. Barthélemy, often referred to as St. Barts, in the Caribbean. The island is located east of the US and British Virgin Islands. It encompasses 9.7 square miles and has a population of slightly more than 11,000. It’s known for its warm climate and fantastic year-round water temperatures. The water temperatures at St. Barts typically stay between 79 and 84 degrees F, which makes it fantastic for swimming and boating all year. The island is also known for its luxurious events, fine dining, and incredible accommodations. Let’s explore what makes St. Barts so popular among aviation enthusiasts and boaters.
It’s an Adventure Getting to the Island.
The adventure doesn’t start at St. Barts. It starts with the journey. The Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy can be reached by air and by sea.
St. Barts By Air
However, if you’re flying in, you might notice that commercial flights and private jets aren’t allowed to land on the St. Barthélemy runway. Instead, most aircraft will have to land on a nearby island, and the passengers will have to take a commuter flight the rest of the way to St. Barts.
Thankfully, there are a couple of airports to choose from when deciding where to land. One popular airport is the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Sint Maarten, which is the closest major airport to the island. You could also land at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Once you’ve landed, you’ll need to either take a ferry or another flight into St. Barthélemy. If you want to continue on by air from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), you’ll have to catch a flight with Tradewind Aviation. If you need to catch a flight to St. Barts from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), you’ll want to catch a flight with Winair or St. Bart Commuter.
Why Can’t the Pilot of Your Private Jet Land at Gustaf III Airport (SBH)
In order to land at the Gustaf III Airport in St. Barts, the pilot must be specially trained. The runway is only 2,133 feet long and 60 feet wide. This means that only smaller propeller-driven aircraft can land safely on it, like the DHC-6 Twin Otter, the Pilatus PC-12, and the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. To make landing more interesting, the airport is surrounded by hills and ends at the beach. Therefore, it’s simply safer for guests, even those with their own private jets, to charter a flight to the island or take a ferry.
St. Barts by Sea
Getting to St. Barts can also be accomplished by sea. If your commercial flight or private jet landed in Sint Maarten, you can take a ferry to Gustavia Harbour. Once you arrive at the harbour, you’ll need to check in with customs and immigration before heading on to your luxurious accommodations.
Luxurious and Amazing Things To Do in St. Barts
St. Barts is often referred to as “Billionaires Island,” but you don’t have to be quite that rich to enjoy a Caribbean getaway to this overseas collectivity of France.
Visit the Stunning Beaches
St. Barts has four amazing beaches, including Gouverneur Beach, St. Jean Beach, Saline Beach, and Colombier Beach. St. Jean Beach is arguably the most popular. It’s where vacationers go to enjoy the sun, sand and people-watching. Not to mention, this beach is very close to shopping and dining. If you’re looking for a secluded beach, you might hike or boat to Columbier Beach. It’s located on the northwest coast and beloved because there are no commercial developments around it. This makes it an excellent place to relax and unwind by snorkeling, swimming, and watching the wildlife.
Charter a Yacht and Explore the Nearby Islands
If you’re looking for adventure on the water, you might choose to charter a yacht to explore the hidden bays, best snorkeling spots, coral reefs, and nearby islands. Many of the charter yachts offer open bars, beach towels, and snorkeling gear.
Enjoy an Amazing Shopping Experience
St. Barts is known for its upscale and luxury retailers. The island is home to Richard Mille St. Barths. This retailer specializes in luxury watches. You could also explore Hermes, Chopard, Dolce & Gabbana, and Cartier, as well as many other unique and exquisite boutique shops. Not to mention, St. Barthélemy is a duty-free destination, which means you can get your favorite luxury brands for less money than you would pay on the mainland.
Great Dining Experiences at St. Barthélemy
Along with the great views, excellent swimming and snorkeling, and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, the island is home to some excellent dining venues. For example, if you’re craving Indonesian food, you might try Romi Saint Barth. Romi is known for its amazing Indonesian-inspired food, including Balinese spring rolls, spiced satay skewers, rendang curry, bebek goreng, and lemon cheesecake.
If you love wine, you might take a trip over to the Le Papillon Ivre Wine Bar. This establishment boasts an elegant yet cozy atmosphere where you can relax and sample your favorite wines and a few new ones. The winery has an impressive inventory of more than 250 French wines. They also offer a few dishes, including beef tartare, duck foie gras, and fresh oysters.
Where to Stay in St. Barthélemy
There are plenty of great luxury accommodations in St. Barthélemy, like Rosewood or the Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa. Rosewood Resort offers large living spaces and private terraces where guests can relax and unwind while enjoying the island air. Rosewood also has a spa where guests can get massages and body and beautification treatments.
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is located on the northeastern coast of St. Barts. It has 44 rooms. Each one has a private terrace. Guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi and TVs. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials, a sauna, and a steam room.
If you’re looking to take a luxury vacation on an island with amazing views, fantastic weather, and warm water, St. Barts may be the ideal vacation for you. Just fly your private jet into one of the nearby island airports and enjoy a charter flight or ferry trip to St. Barts.