Below are our favorite things to do while in St. Barths. We’ve marked our top choices with a star ⭐️.
We recommend reservations unless otherwise noted. Hotel Manapany will help guests secure reservations - see our FAQs page for more information.
The best panoramic views of Gustavia and food from a 3-star Michelin chef. Get an early dinner reservation to catch the sunset and don't miss the Jamaican Style Octopus!
Local cuisine at reasonable prices in a relaxed setting. We like the fish tacos, lamb, and lava cake.
Le Select, the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's 'Cheeseburger in Paradise,' serves burgers and drinks in a no-frills outdoor setting in the center of town. We recommend the ti'punch (popular local rum drink that's pretty much all rum) and cheeseburger. This is a great place for lunch and/or a pre-dinner drink.
No reservations
You may hear mentions of old (more laid back) and new (party) St. Barths. LEspirit is an “old St. Barths” spot that offers a 3-course pre-fixe menu that changes seasonally.
A beachside snack shack serving fresh local seafood. We like the veggie fritters and rum drinks.
After you eat, you can rent glass bottom kayaks from the restaurant and get a close up of the large sea turtles that live in Grand cul de Sac, the beach where Ti Corail is located. While it is casual, reservations are strongly recommended to guarantee a seating.
Authentic Thai food in a treehouse-like setting. We like their curries and shrimp and chicken dumplings, but you can’t go wrong with anything here.
Lunch spot with good piña coladas, octopus, and views of planes landing on the island (can you tell we like octopus yet 😂).
Great views of Gustavia and pretty good food paired with creative cocktails. Their sex in the bath cocktail (pictured here) is popular. We also like the tuna entree and tacos.
Takeout spot offering sandwiches, salads, wine, and beer. Good place to grab lunch for your beach day.
Alternatively, there are several amazing bakeries on the island — most of which offer sandwiches in addition to many varieties of croissants and pastries.
The original - and our favorite - Sunday beach party spot. We recommend booking a table during the late seating (3pm) to get the full ‘Amazing Sundays’ experience. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Menu highlights include the Mexican Mule, sliders, quesadillas, and the sexy salad.
Great Asian fusion food and vibes on St. Jean beach. We’ve only been on a weekday, but hear it turns up on the weekends 🪩.
A restaurant on the water that turns into a nightclub around 10pm. We recommend getting your pre-party dinner elsewhere, as there is better food within walking distance.
Alternatively, Petite Plage is another popular restaurant / nightclub in Gustavia.
Colombier can only be accessed by foot or boat, making it one of the less touristy beaches. We like the 15-minute hike along a beautiful goat-covered cliff to get to Colombier, but there are several boat charters that will take you there too.
If you are interested in swimming with sea turtles or kayaking, this is the place to do so. Grand cul de Sac is also home to Ti Corail, a great snack bar.
A remote beach that's popular among locals with beautiful views and clear deep water. Great place to set up shop for an afternoon.
Governeur is another favorite among locals. It's usually quiet and has some good snorkeling on the left side of the beach.
St. Jean is the busiest beach on St. Barths. Several beach clubs, including Nikki Beach, are situated here.
A small beach near town named for its shell cover. Shellona, a popular lunch spot, is located here.
Gustavia and St. Jean are home to the best shopping in St. Barths. Gustavia, the island's capital, offers a mix of luxury brands and locally owned boutiques, while St. Jean primarily features stores from local artisans.
For souvenirs check out Pati de St Barth and Le Select's t-shirt hut.
St. Barth Sailing is the lowest cost option for catamaran charters, but if you prefer motor boats, Jicky Marine offers a large selection.
Boat charters enforce capacity limits, so select a boat that accommodates your group size.
Visit Ti Corail to rent glass bottom kayaks, paddleboards, or windsurfing equipment. We like the glass bottom kayaks that let you see the large sea turtles that Grand cul de Sac is home to. Equipment cannot be reserved in advance.
H20 Seatoys offers seabobs, fliteboards, and seawings on St. Jean beach. Online bookings are available.
Jetski Racing SBH offers jet ski rentals and guided jet ski tours. Online bookings available.