All of the nearly 20 white-sand beaches on St. Bart's are free to the public. Relatively free from crowds, topless bathing is common while nudity it prohibited. Grand Cul de Sac and St. Jean beaches on the north side of the island have the most hotels, restaurants and watersport facilities. The beaches at Marigot, Lorient and Petite Cul de Sac are secluded and quiet.

On the northwest arm, there are a few hotels and restaurants at Flamands, which is at the base of an extinct volcano. Corossol beach is on the outskirts of the village for which it is named. The most secluded is Colombier, which is a 30-minute hike from Colombier village. Toiny beach is beautifully rugged and Petite Anse de Galet, also known as Shell Beach, is within walking distance of the town of Gustavia. There's an aptly named Public beach near the commercial pier.

Along the southern coast, Gouverneur is one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches, from which you can see St. Kitts, Saba, and St. Eustatius. Grande Saline is on the other side of a bank of sand dunes and has become the island's favorite unofficial nude beach.

First posted 06/01/01.