Saint-Barthélemy is famous for its sublime beaches, and in recent years cool beach clubs have sprung up on some of them. Relaxing, lunching and dancing in a trendy beach club is a fantastic way to spend a day in Saint-Barthélemy. And, there are plenty of great options to choose from!
From your waterside table, you can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, lively music and incredible ocean views, not to mention an international jet-set atmosphere. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to dress up at any of our beach clubs. The dress code is “barefoot chic”.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the best beach clubs in Saint-Barthélemy, summarizing their ambience, menus and special qualities, as well as the location and contact details for each.
1. Nikki Beach Saint Barts – St-Jean, a must-see in St. Barths
If St-Jean beach is the center of the party at St Barts, then Nikki Beach is ground zero! The party’s in full swing at Nikki Beach in Saint-Barth, arguably the most glamorous of the dozen Nikki Beach establishments worldwide. The brand’s emblematic white umbrellas stand out on the sand of Saint-Jean beach.
The seaside restaurant combines international flavors with Caribbean zest. Top DJs provide the afternoon soundtrack for the jet-setting clientele.
- Insider tip: try dropping by the Nikki Beach club for “Amazing Sundays”, which combine live music with generous portions of sushi and champagne. The energy is legendary.
- What we love: the thrill of dancing on the tables while the famous saxophonist Jimmy Sax plays a frenzied rhythm.
- Location: St Jean Bay 97133, Saint-Barthélemy
- Telephone number: +590 590 27 64 64
2. La Guérite Beach, a place for gourmets and novelty-lovers in St. Barths
Among the newcomers to the Saint-Barthélemy beach club scene, La Guérite Beach occupies a prime position at the eastern end of Saint-Jean beach. Located between Nikki Beach and GypSea, La Guérite Beach Club’s restaurant looks set to rival these two popular establishments.
This beach club is the work of the same owner as the restaurant La Guérite in Gustavia, which is itself a Caribbean offshoot of a long-established restaurant on the Côte d’Azur.
- Insider tip: Guérite Beach is still in its early stages of development. We can therefore expect the menu and ambience to evolve naturally as it becomes established. For the moment, however, the atmosphere is similar to that of the famous Sunday mid-afternoon parties at Nikki Beach. But it’s a little quieter at La Guérite (which can be a good thing, depending on your preferences).
- What we love: the food! La Guérite Beach’s Mediterranean-inspired menu offers above-average beach restaurant cuisine.
- Location: Plage de Saint-Jean, St-Jean 97133, St Barts
- Telephone number: +590 690 34 50 45
3. Gyp Sea – St Jean, a gourmet beach restaurant
Located at the eastern end of St Jean beach, Gyp Sea is a boho-chic beach club with a laid-back vibe. Barbecuing is at the heart of the experience, and almost everything on the restaurant’s menu is grilled. The selection of raw fish caught daily is also well worth a visit. Ask the bartender about the best rums, or sip a signature cocktail from a parrot-shaped glass.
- Insider tip: walking along the beach from Eden Rock is a particularly fun way to reach Gyp Sea.
- What we like: the meals with our feet in the sand, the rare rums on offer and the beachside cigar cellar. This club also offers more sun loungers for rent after lunch than any other.
- Location: Plage du Pélican, St-Jean 97133, Saint-Barthélemy
- Telephone number: +590 590 77 53 01
4. Shellona – Shell Beach, an excellent restaurant and beach bar serving lobster and fresh fish
Shellona is the only beach club located within the city limits of Gustavia. The sand at Shell Beach consists almost entirely of shells, which inspired the name of this leading beach club in Saint-Barthélemy, as well as the name of the beach.
In addition to the magnificent views of the cove and idyllic swimming, the Shellona is distinguished by its Greek island-inspired ambience. This also applies to the cuisine. Executive chef Yiannis Kioroglou’s dishes harmoniously blend Mediterranean and Caribbean influences. The resident DJ plays live music, creating an atmosphere similar to that of Mykonos and Ibiza.
- Insider tip: book Shellona loungers well in advance.
- What we like: easy access from Gustavia and excellent Greek/fusion cuisine.
- Location: Shell Beach, Gustavia 97133, Saint-Barthélemy
- Telephone number: +590 590 29 06 66
5. Le Toiny Beach Club – Plage de Toiny, an ideal Creole getaway for waterside dining
The Toiny Beach Club is the only one on the shores of Toiny Bay, with no hotels or villas in the vicinity. It boasts an idyllic location on the palm-shaded beach at the water’s edge. You’d think you were in Tahiti! Meals and cocktails are influenced by chic Caribbean aesthetics.
The regularly changing menu includes French, Caribbean and fusion dishes, such as tempura, truffle croque-monsieur, grilled fish and shrimp, and delicious pasta. Don’t forget to ask about the daily specials “Poisson du jour” and “Pièce du boucher”.
- Insider tip: it’s the perfect place to watch the surfers in action right in front of the beach club, while enjoying a delicious meal.
- What we like: the loungers for couples, placed side by side and shaded by stretches of canvas, at the eastern end of the property, an ideal place to relax after lunch at Le Toiny beach club in Saint-Barthélemy.
- Location: Anse de Toiny, Toiny 97133, Saint-Barthélemy
- Telephone number: +590 590 27 88 88
6. NAO BEACH – St-Jean, for a high-flying culinary experience between sushi and fine dining
Another newcomer to Saint-Barthélemy’s beach clubs, NAO BEACH is a collaboration between chefs Kawaï and Alexandre Delage. Its menu, which fuses Japanese and Mediterranean influences, is a real success.
Katsu Milanese, Lobster Yuzukosho, Wahoo Carpaccio, Wagyu Sliders and Miso Black Cod are just some of the dishes you can enjoy with your feet in the sand. Deckchairs are the perfect place to relax and unwind, while NAO BEACH afternoons are punctuated by DJ music.
- Insider tip: the cocktails at NAO BEACH are exceptional. Try the Osaka Sour!
- What we like: NAO is located on the part of Saint-Jean beach that enjoys the best breezes, so even at midday you won’t feel the heat too much.
- Location: Baie de St-Jean, St-Jean 97133
- Telephone number: +590 590 77 47 48
