Consider a fall trip to St. Barths to experience the celebrated St. Barth Gourmet Festival (formerly known as the Taste of St. Barths). Prominent guest chefs worldwide team up with local restaurants for fabulous tasting menus, cook-offs, and friendly competition.

Since 1985, musicians from all over have come to St. Barts in January to perform live music under the roasting Caribbean sun. Spend a dozen nights with the finest live music and dance performances from some of the world's most prominent classical, opera, ballet, and jazz stars. These performers have the level of artistry that one would generally have to attend Carnegie Hall in New York or the Opera Garnier in Paris to experience. The musicians are soloists and principals from symphony orchestras and Philharmonia from all over: Montreal, Boston, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, Paris, the Juilliard and Curtis schools of music, and many others.

Costume parade through the streets of Gustavia from 3 pm to 7 pm, and parties in restaurants from lunchtime till midnight. It is preceded earlier in the week by the short but charming "Children's Parade." Ash Wednesday marks the end of Carnaval and the ceremonial burning of a straw statue of Vaval - King of Carnaval. It happens at sunset on Shell Beach and follows the live music and drinks at the restaurant Do Brasil.

The St. Barths Bucket Regatta (also known as St. Barts Race Week) is a three-day invitational regatta with 48 of the most impressive mega-yachts in the world. All yachts are at least 100ft long, including many classic wooden racing boats. You can view many of the participating boats in Gustavia harbor after 5 pm most days. Join the race and celebrate after each day with your crew with many sponsored events.

An essential stop on the Caribbean regatta circuit, the "Les Voiles de St. Barth" regatta will include over 70 boats, divided into six classes, from classic sloops to mega yachts. The results from each day's racing are posted in the events tent on the Quai in Gustavia, where you can also enjoy live music each night.

The island’s colonial history has painted its culture with a beautiful mix of distinctive elements encompassing French and Swedish style, sophistication, and flair. Such a past has colored everything from the architecture of its streets to the ambiance of its cafes and from the cuisine served all over the island to the language of its people. The idyllic setting means water activities are a large part of any activity menu, with such possibilities as catamaran sailing, surfing, diving, snorkeling, and much more. There is even the chance to explore the coral gardens and underwater world from the comfort of a semi-submersible. Sipping cocktails and feasting on the highest quality food is also a significant pastime at St. Bart’s. However, your decision is whether you choose to do this at a humble beach shack or a fine dining restaurant with an international reputation.

St. Jean Beach boasts a long stretch of warm, white sand and is bordered by shops, restaurants, and boutiques catering to all ages. Since this is one of the most popular beaches on the island, you will want to arrive early enough to grab a good spot. For those looking for a more peaceful area, look on the south side of Eden Rock, which separates the beach into two main sides. St. Jean Beach is great for water sports such as snorkeling and surfing (as the reef-protected waters are generally calm). There is also a sports complex where visitors can participate in soccer, archery, or tennis. It’s also the perfect spot for sunbathers or families looking to spend a day making sandcastles and splashing around in the warm water.

The beach in Gouverneur is one of the most beautiful on the island. With its perfect proportions, the beach is bordered by dense vegetation that gives it a romantic charm. Inspiring and relaxing, the beach is ideal for swimming, strolling, or sunbathing at any time of the day. Access is flat, and the parking lot next to the beach makes it easy to visit, even for a few minutes.

The beach in Flamands is one of the longest beaches in Saint Barth. Adorned with magnificent white sand, this beach is home to two of the island's most prestigious hotels, Taïwana and Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, at the southern end. A perfect beach for a long romantic walk or a chic lunch facing the endless view of the sea, while fans of kite flying practice their sport at the other end of the beach, which is popular with families.

The beach in Lorient is lovely for families, shaded by traditional sea grapes in the morning. The transparency of the water provides for long swims beyond the fishing boats anchored here and the exploration of underwater flora and fauna. It is ideal for swimming or beach games for kids, and the northern end of the beach has a series of small natural pools that allow even the youngest kids to splash in shallow water. A surf school is located on this beach; get out your boards!

The beach of Colombier is one of the zones protected by the marine park of St Barthélemy, where the mooring of all boats is regulated. The protection of the bay and a ban on fishing allow for superb snorkeling with the assurance of seeing many reef fish, sea turtles, and starfish. The beach is accessible by foot via two different paths, starting from Colombier, the other from Flamands, where the hike is pleasant and accessible. Either route is a great way to discover the natural beauty of the island and one of the most beautiful beaches of St Barthélemy.

Corossol, this small traditional fishing village, remains the stronghold of the last traces of straw crafts and local costumes. It is located a few kilometers north of Gustavia; this small fishing village has retained the soul of this pearl of the Antilles. Corossol still offers an idea of ​​the traditional island way of life. At the heart of this charming bay with a brown sand beach, the small fishing port of Corossol feels like paradise. This is the only place where you can still find traditional boats, dories, and lobster pots waiting to be thrown in the water. The weaving of straw, a local craft tradition, is perpetuated in this village. Hats and other basketry and decorative accessories are also made with dried latan leaves. It is around the charming tiny colorful houses of Corossol that you can discover and visit the International Seashell Museum, opened by an enthusiast. A collection of more than 9,000 specimens collected from seas worldwide is gathered there.

Grand Cul de Sac Beach is renowned worldwide as a premier kite surfing destination. The lagoon is shallow, the coral reef stops the waves, and north-eastern exposure to the trade winds makes it a kite surfer’s dream. A trip outside the barrier reef into the open ocean is an experience to remember for the more advanced. 

Nature Reserve of Saint-Barthélemy is a marine reserve divided into five separate zones around the island to preserve the fragile marine ecosystems. Many of the island's best dive sites lie within the reserve's boundaries, marked by white buoys. Divers and snorkelers may see turtles, spotted eagle rays, reef sharks, and many colorful varieties of coral. Kayali is a superb 30-meter deep wreck dive, where you can spot a lobster and conch and can spot vast schools of tropical fish. The reserve's high protection areas prohibited diving and all forms of fishing.