Island Visitor
Senior Insider
Re: Isles des Saintes
I have done some homework as well. While much of the population is french, the islands are no longer a secret to the yachting or small cruise world. There are only a handful of hotels on the island with Bois Joli and Auberge Les Petits Saintes (the former mayor's house) looking to be the best properties. It sounds as though you walk or motor scooter everywhere. Dining is somewhat limitted, pretty high end at a few places (particularly Auberge Petits) and perhaps more creole than St Barts.
Beaches are casually topless. Clothing optional runs hot or cold. A few years ago, one of the remote beaches was considered the official unofficial nude beach. About three or four years ago they started handing out fines for nudity but now there are reports that those restrictions have been relaxed.
While I never went to SBH back in the early days, it sounds as though Les Islets may already be more "happening" than SBH 30 years ago. By that I mean they are already on the map of a lot of day boaters and even small ships. To that end, there will be some traffic, though not like Gustavia on New Years Eve.
From what I have found, it sounds like a fun, laid-back type of place, a little more creole and caribbean than St Barths though I have not heard of reggae bands or steel drums greeting you at the airport.
I eagerly await your firsthand account.
Merci.
I have done some homework as well. While much of the population is french, the islands are no longer a secret to the yachting or small cruise world. There are only a handful of hotels on the island with Bois Joli and Auberge Les Petits Saintes (the former mayor's house) looking to be the best properties. It sounds as though you walk or motor scooter everywhere. Dining is somewhat limitted, pretty high end at a few places (particularly Auberge Petits) and perhaps more creole than St Barts.
Beaches are casually topless. Clothing optional runs hot or cold. A few years ago, one of the remote beaches was considered the official unofficial nude beach. About three or four years ago they started handing out fines for nudity but now there are reports that those restrictions have been relaxed.
While I never went to SBH back in the early days, it sounds as though Les Islets may already be more "happening" than SBH 30 years ago. By that I mean they are already on the map of a lot of day boaters and even small ships. To that end, there will be some traffic, though not like Gustavia on New Years Eve.
From what I have found, it sounds like a fun, laid-back type of place, a little more creole and caribbean than St Barths though I have not heard of reggae bands or steel drums greeting you at the airport.
I eagerly await your firsthand account.
Merci.