As I lay my linen towel against the white sand, I reflect on the fact that this place used to be a French haven for those looking to flee from the tireless city life. Growing up I would come here to bathe in the crystalline sea, indulge in the French pastries, walk around the old town, and observe the everyday life of the locals. St.Barths has always been a place of utter contentment, however, in the last decade or so it has become a place with mixed results. Party culture has made its impact on a place that used to be a hidden gem. That's not to say that the island has lost its immutable beauty nor its French character, but instead a sense of complete tranquility. I continue to adore it for the history and familiarity which is why I find it necessary to emphasize the classic trademarks of the island.
Plage de Colombier
Colombier is a magnificently untouched beach and natural reserve that represents the true aesthetic of the island. What I find so exquisite about this particular beach is the fact you can reach it by either foot or boat and its fairly secluded compared to other beaches (minus the variant wildlife that you may notice along the way, goats included). I savored in the turquoise waters, mountainous landscape, and scattered boats only several meters from the shoreline.
Piscine Naturelles (Grand Fond)
In the southeast corner of the island you'll find the natural pools which I found truly enchanting. The path towards the pools alters your frame of mind, making you feel as though you've started hiking somewhere in the middle of Portugal; rugged scenery, gold shaded rocks, and intense waves characterize this path. Once you arrive you then have to descend below a magnitude of rocks to reach three beautifully crystalline pools.
Gustavia
The one element that has built the majority of culture here is Gustavia, the main port town. Whether its a coffee and croissant at Choisy overlooking the boats along the harbor or the countless stores to get lost in, Gustavia comes in handy when laying out on the beach just isn't an option. However, if the weather is in your favor then heading to Shell beach (which is walking distance from the center of town) is a must, especially during sunset. I have fond memories of myself roaming around this small town after dinner, grabbing a gelato at Creperie and listening to the live music from the corner bars and watching people walk around the busy streets.
Plage de Gouverneur
An understated yet pristine beach that hasn't changed since I was a child is Gouverneur. It is said that a French pirate by the name of Monbars hid his treasure here (which surely excited me a child as I would climb the rocky area surrounding this beach). The vibrant blue water and soft sand makes this beach an irresistible staple of St.Barths.
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