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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
How to Plan the Perfect Destination Celebration in St. Barths, According to an Expert Travel Advisor
For such a tiny Caribbean island, Saint-Barthélemy—better known as St. Barths—packs a punch. Named by Christopher Columbus after his brother Bartolomeo, the island was briefly under Swedish rule before becoming French again in the late 1800s. Today, that unmistakable joie de vivre is precisely what keeps travelers coming back. Whether you're looking for a barefoot gathering on a secluded beach, or an over-the-top experience on a superyahct, St. Barths sets the stage for milestone moments. Below, my expert recommendations for a destination celebration in St. Barths. The first step is selecting a seasoned travel advisor with extensive experience planning events in St. Barths. It's not enough that they've booked trips to the island, or organized destination weddings elsewhere. You'll want someone who knows the lay of the land, has trusted local connections, and understands the island's unique logistics—from hotel buyouts and permit requirements to navigating the complexities of the airport. An airplane landing in Gustavia, St there are several ways to reach St. Barths—commercial flights, private charters, ferries, or boat transfers—getting 200+ guests to the island on the same day is no small feat. The island's only airport, Rémy de Haenen, has a single runway just over 2,000 feet long, and flights are weather-dependent. Keep in mind they also cannot land after sunset, making timing especially critical. Announcing your event date well in advance allows ample time to coordinate travel logistics. Flights fill quickly, and early planning ensures the best possible routing for your guests. It's also essential that your travel advisor has established contacts at the airport—someone who can troubleshoot last-minute changes and help guests navigate any unexpected hurdles. Entry requirements for transiting through St. Martin, the island closest to St. Barths, can change frequently and must be closely managed to avoid delays. The Ocean Pool Suite at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth's. At just eight square miles, St. Barths is compact, but its accommodations are anything but ordinary. Depending on your guest count, consider a full buyout of one of the island's iconic hotels, such as Eden Rock - St Barths, Cheval Blanc St-Barth, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth, Hotel Le Toiny, or Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf. For overflow guests—or families and groups seeking more privacy—a fully staffed villa is often the most comfortable solution. Many villas offer panoramic views, private pools, and hotel-level service. Hotel and villa accommodations should be confirmed 12 months in advance to ensure availability. For maximum flexibility, consider hosting your event in November, May, or June, when the island is a bit less bustling and villa owners are more amenable to shorter stays. There's some great dining in St. Barths to consider, too. Kick things off at Sand Bar, a laidback, beachside lunch spot at Eden Rock; spend an afternoon at La Guérite, a Mediterranean restaurant on the tip of Gustavia's (the island's main town and capital) port; or go dancing at Gustavia's Le Café, a Provençal-style bistro with Caribbean flair and live music. Alternatively, Le Clandestin, a secret speakeasy in Gustavia has one of the world's top rum collections. Recently reopened and following a refresh, Le Ti restaurant is great for post-dinner burlesque cabaret. And, when it's all over, guests can unwind with a casual bite at Jojo Burger, an unfussy local favorite near Lorient. Rent a moke and explore. CarolineWhether your guests are St. Barths regulars or first-time visitors, make space in the schedule for a little island-style spontaneity. Some downtime will let them revisit favorite spots or discover new ones at their own pace. Give your guests some downtime to shop in Gustavia; join a guided hike to Les Crêtes trail for panoramic views and wildlife encounters; explore the natural pools of Grand Fond, a quartier in the southeast; take a surf lesson on Lorient Beach; or take to the water on a private boat complete with lunch and seabobs (motorized, underwater scooters). You can also rent a moke (an open-topped, doorless vehicle) and tour the island, stopping at beaches like Saline and Gouverneur; or visit the Gustavia local market, held on the first Sunday of each month. Kristen Korey Pike is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in multigenerational trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Korey Pike by contacting her at [email protected] .
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Historic double for Yven in closest Transat Paprec finish on record
May 9 (Reuters) - Charlotte Yven on Friday became the first woman to win the Transat Paprec twice, crossing the Caribbean finish line with co-skipper Hugo Dhallenne after a nail-biting finale that saw the top 13 boats finish within three hours of each other. The Skipper Macif duo navigated through a Caribbean calm that compressed the fleet in the final days, erasing comfortable leads and giving the 3,890-nautical-mile race from Concarneau, France, one of the tightest finishes in its history. "We adapted, supported each other, and fought to the end," said Yven, who joins sailing great Armel Le Cleac'h as the only two-time winners. "The margins were tiny, but we just focused on our own wind and staying fast - that made the difference." The Transat Paprec is a prestigious biennial transatlantic sailing race that challenges mixed-gender, double-handed crews to navigate from Concarneau to Saint-Barthelemy. Established in 1992, the race was rebranded in 2023 when it introduced a groundbreaking requirement for each team to consist of one man and one woman. Competitors sail identically matched Figaro Beneteau 3 yachts over a demanding 3,800-nautical-mile course, making it a true test of skill, strategy, and endurance. Romain Bouillard and Irina Gracheva (Decrochons la Lune) claimed second place 43 minutes later despite a torn spinnaker, while local favourite Cindy Brin became the first Saint-Barthelemy native to finish the race, taking third place with co-skipper Thomas Andre aboard Cap St Barth to thunderous local support. "I already felt like I'd won by just taking the start," said Brin, welcomed by some 200 boats in Gustavia harbour. "But I never expected third place. I doubted myself every day - but Thomas always brought the confidence back. Twenty-four years ago, I was on my father's boat saying, 'One day, Dad, that will be me.' Today, it is!" The race's knife-edge competition was underscored by the mere 35 seconds separating Brin from fourth-place finishers Mael Garnier and Catherine Hunt (Selencia-Cerfrance) after 18 days at sea, in a bunched finish race director Francis Le Goff described as unprecedented.
