A Brief Description of St. Barth

Also known as Saint Barthélemy in French or St. Bart's in English, this tropical island is an overseas collectivity of France. The French originally established a colony on the island in 1648. It was transferred to Swedish control after the Napoleonic wars but was returned to France in 1878. It has been part of the French West Indies ever since. The official language of the island is French, yet its culture is a mix of French, Swedish, and the indigenous peoples who know the island as Ouanalao.

A series of shallow water reefs surround much of the island and provide an abundance of natural marine wildlife. These reefs also serve as a buffer from the Caribbean Sea to create peaceful and tranquil coastline with miles of sandy beaches. The island's main harbor is located at the capital city of Gustavia.

With a permanent population of just over 8,000 residents, St. Barth is known as a fairly quiet and relaxing destination where the people are warm, friendly, and very welcoming to visitors. The indigenous culture is alive with a Caribbean music, at least a dozen annual festivals and celebrations, plenty of sports, and a cuisine comprised of West Indian, French, Creole, Asian, and Italian fare. And of course, the natural wonders of this Caribbean island are breathtaking to behold.

Your options for arrival on St. Barth include a small regional Airport for planes carrying fewer than 20 passengers, a larger commercial airport on the neighboring island of St. Martin, and various ferries and yachts providing service to most of the islands in the region. During your stay in St. Barth you'll also notice that it's a popular stop for many Caribbean Cruise lines.