St. Barths With Kids: A Family-Friendly Yachting Guide
While St. Barths is best known for its designer boutiques and jet-set glamour, the island also has an entirely different charm when explored with little ones in tow.
With calm, clear waters, gently sloping beaches, and an inviting blend of outdoor activities and refined creature comforts, it's a destination that is perfect for family yacht charters. Here's how to enjoy St. Barths as a family, without compromising on style:
Fun At The Beach
With 14 beaches to choose from, there’s one for every mood (and every age group). For paddling and sandcastle-building, Grand Cul de Sac is a clear winner; its shallow, sheltered lagoon means toddlers can splash safely while you relax.Â
Older children and teens might gravitate towards St. Jean Beach, where gentle waves, water sports, and the lively energy of nearby restaurants create a fun, all-day hangout. When you need a breather from the bustle, Gouverneur Beach offers a postcard-perfect escape with turquoise waters, soft white sand, and a sense of having your own private slice of paradise.
Toes In The Sand Dining
Beachside dining here is one of St. Barths’ greatest pleasures, especially when little feet can run free on the sand while lunch is on its way.
Le Toiny Beach Club is wonderfully laid-back and toes-in-the-sand; Shellona, perched on Shell Beach, combines Mediterranean flavours with a breezy, upbeat vibe; and La Case de l’Isle at Cheval Blanc takes things up a notch with elegant plates, sweeping views, and a dedicated children’s menu, presented, charmingly, on a floating tray for younger guests.
Dive Into Watersports
For active families, St. Barths’ coastline is a playground. Your yacht’s toy box will likely hold plenty of crowd-pleasers, Seabobs for teens to glide through the clear shallows, paddleboards for exploring calm anchorages, and perhaps even windsurfing or surfing for older kids keen to try something new.Â
For little ones, crew can set up age-appropriate inflatables in sheltered spots, turning the sea into a safe, floating play area. If diving is on the cards, older children will love getting underwater- either from the yacht or through rendezvous dives arranged ashore. If you prefer to stay dry, the Yellow Submarine glass-bottom boat is an easy, fuss-free way to glimpse the island’s marine life without a snorkel in sight.
Fun Activities Ashore
One of the island’s most unexpectedly fun pastimes is plane-spotting. At St. Jean Beach, you can watch aircraft swoop dramatically low over the bay. Families often gather near Pearl Beach Bar around 4 pm for the show.
For an even more impressive vantage point, head to the roundabout above the airport. If you’re seeking shade, Blue Gecko Pottery in St. Jean is a lovely creative escape, kids can paint their own ceramic keepsakes, which are fired and ready to take home. There’s also a small, well-maintained playground near the airport and sports stadium, best enjoyed in the cooler hours of the morning or late afternoon.
Relaxing Spa Days
Teens (and parents) in need of a little pampering will find plenty of options. Several luxury spas, including Le Barthélemy, The Christopher, and Cheval Blanc, offer day packages with lunch, pool access, or even beachfront cabanas, perfect for a family treat during quieter weeks on the island.
A Little Island Shopping
Shopping in St. Barths can be surprisingly family-friendly. In Gustavia, chic children’s boutiques like Petit Bateau and Junior stock miniature versions of designer favourites from Chloé to Givenchy. For something more relaxed, Villa Creole Centre in St. Jean offers a mix of toy shops, gift stores, and cafés, perfect for browsing between gelatos. And parents, take note: Island Pharmacie is a local gem for French skincare finds and pharmacy staples.
If you are planning a yacht charter to St Barths for the 2025 Caribbean season with your family, contact our expert consultants today to find out which yachts are available and plan the best itinerary for your children.Â
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Saint Barthélemy, known to most as St Barths, is perhaps the most exclusive island in the Caribbean. This paradise island is the cream of the crop, offering the very best gastronomy, parties, shopping, regattas, beaches, and more. As with most islands in this area, it has been occupied by many different settlers throughout history. The lasting influences are mainly Swedish and, of course, French, with the island now a collectivity of France. Imagine a tropical paradise with the grace and beauty of the French Riviera, and you have St Barths. It comes as no surprise that the rich and famous have chosen this as their island, with many returning years after year for all that it offers.
Experience St Barths Bucket On A Yacht CharterEvery March, the picturesque island of St Barths in the Eastern Caribbean hosts one of the most iconic regattas in the superyacht world. This year, from 13 to 16 March, the island will welcome some of the most prestigious superyachts for the exclusive, invitation-only St Barths Bucket event.
Chartering a luxury yacht with children requires thoughtful planning, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With the right yacht, crew, and itinerary, your family can embark on a journey that combines relaxation, adventure, and the joy of spending quality time together on the open seas.