First timers' honeymoon in September

[KevinS]

I've spent many a September and October in St. Barth. We're not trying to scare you off, just want you to be aware of mother nature. Storms are very rare, severe storms extremely so.

As a regular visitor at other times of the year, and a longtime observer of heavy weather on SBH at all times of the year, I agree with Tim. And prudent people buy trip insurance.

 

[cec1]

Tim's sentiment is mine, as well . . . feel free to send a Private Message of your dates -- I'll be on the island in early September, and it would be my pleasure to meet and be your host for a luncheon or evening if we overlap in dates. In any event -- weather adversity or not -- you'll have a memorable, very special time.

 

[SherylB]

Thank you all for your responses.

Can't say this doesn't make me a bit uneasy about it all...
I'm sure we'll still have a great time, though I'm a bit more of a loner than my fiancee, who generally looks for some hustle and bustle.

With shops and restaurants closed, I'm guessing our activities are going to be limited as well (tours, boats, etc.)?

That's the spirit! Absolutely no need to be uneasy - but do keep an eye on things as your departure date draws closer. Forum friends do keep tabs on weather events that could potentially impact SBH and will post in the "Storm Tracker" thread.

As to your concern about activities the one thing I would say is that you create your own. St Barth is really not like any other island in the Caribbean. There are no "tourist traps", there are no organized (ie, turnkey) island tours - just rent a car and have a blast exploring each and every inch of it yourselves. Cause you CAN! The entire island is only 9ish quare miles and offers many beautiful - and oh so different - beaches. You might take a wrong turn here or there, but you'll never get lost. Although getting lost for even a short while is when you just laugh together, but then you'll quickly be back on the road to somewhere familiar.

Not sure how much hustle and bustle you'll find. Tom Beach Hotel on St Jean stays open during the off season - new bar/lounges Modjo in St Jean and Monbart in Gustavia gave us some new nighttime destinations when we were there last November. I don't know if they plan to close in September (I haven't seen anything on FB from either yet) but chances are they will. So don't plan on anything much happening after dinner - grab a nightcap at Le Piment in St Jean. And then it will up to you to create your own fun LOL

You'll have an awesome time - you will often feel that you have the island to yourselves. VERY few distractions, discover, relax, enjoy, and just celebrate life.

Cheers,

Sheryl

 

[davesmom]

"As to your concern about activities the one thing I would say is that you create your own. St Barth is really not like any other island in the Caribbean. There are no "tourist traps", there are no organized (ie, turnkey) island tours - just rent a car and have a blast exploring each and every inch of it yourselves. Cause you CAN! The entire island is only 9ish quare miles and offers many beautiful - and oh so different - beaches. You might take a wrong turn here or there, but you'll never get lost. Although getting lost for even a short while is when you just laugh together, but then you'll quickly be back on the road to somewhere familiar."

Just commenting on the above quote from Sheryl, I would remind anyone to take a look at Tim et al.'s posts about hikes just about everywhere. You can download or copy the info to read offline. Albeit a little tricky, if you are up for it, I think that my favorite hike was to the Natural Pools down on the South side in Grand Fond. I've done it twice! Taking a wrong turn just gives you more to look at and somehow I always end up in St. Jean when I do, so you'll never stray too far. As for hustle, have fun shopping..many people love to post their favorites, and I have done quite a bit of shopping posting that your fiancée might wish to peruse. Happy Honeymoon!! Don't forget to hustle over to Le Guanahani hotel and get a beautiful massage at the Spa..nice place to spend your day, too!

 

[amyb]

Good advice from the visiting veterans for you. Do whatever whenever you feel like it. Your honeymoon is a special time..even just hanging on a beach or a pool is divine. If you have a hammock, enjoy it. Even Naps are uplifting.

Explore and get to know the island as you get to know each other...the memories will LAST you a life time.

Oh, remember to send pictures our way so we can share in your Disvovery. Each time you find a resto or shop reopened will feel like you are part of a R world premiere.

I like St Barth ANY time.


:up:

 

[bpski]

My wife and I had our honeymoon on SBH and trust me when I say there is no better place to be. For me, SBH was perfect, because after the craziness of a wedding The island offers the exact opposite. There are few distractions and you get to create many memories together. For us, it was getting lost in Gustavia trying to find shell beach. We drove in circles knowing where it was but it took forever to actually get there. In June we were there on our 10th anniversary and did the same thing. By reading the tips of everyone on the forum you are setting yourself up for a good experience. While driving around you will see all kinds of names you recognize, that you would pass up had you not read about the island here. The knowledge shared on this forum is second to none and you will be surprised how "local" you will feel. However, there is no amount of research that can give you the actual feeling of the island. It really can't be described and must be experienced. Just be sure to put in a little effort for adventure and be ready to create your own, if you do it will be an unforgettable trip.
One final tip, if you happen to stop in St Martin for longer than a layover, don't worry, it is NOT St. Barth. We typically stay there on the way down because of very tight flights. Our first time down when staying in st Martin we were so worried because we hated it in sxm and were worried st barts was not what we expected. You just can't believe how different they are from each other in a good way.

 

[ludwigbayer]

Thanks again everyone!

I'm not so worried about the weather, family lives in Miami so that creates little stress for us anymore. More worried about feeding ourselves, and being able to take advantage of some adventures that we wouldn't be able to set up ourselves (boating, etc.). Should we bring our own snorkeling gear?

Thank you all for all your tips, we'll be there towards the end of the month, for the week of the 20th.

 

[andynap]

Thanks again everyone!

I'm not so worried about the weather, family lives in Miami so that creates little stress for us anymore. More worried about feeding ourselves, and being able to take advantage of some adventures that we wouldn't be able to set up ourselves (boating, etc.). Should we bring our own snorkeling gear?

Thank you all for all your tips, we'll be there towards the end of the month, for the week of the 20th.

I would doubt that the boating industry would not be working and regardless of the closings of some restaurants there are so many that are still open plus the markets that you will not starve.

 

[stbartslover]

Tim's sentiment is mine, as well . . . feel free to send a Private Message of your dates -- I'll be on the island in early September, and it would be my pleasure to meet and be your host for a luncheon or evening if we overlap in dates. In any event -- weather adversity or not -- you'll have a memorable, very special time.

If you (or anyone else) has the opportunity to share time with my good friend Dennis Carlton.....consider yourself EXTREMELY fortunate.

 

[davesmom]

Thanks again everyone!

I'm not so worried about the weather, family lives in Miami so that creates little stress for us anymore. More worried about feeding ourselves, and being able to take advantage of some adventures that we wouldn't be able to set up ourselves (boating, etc.). Should we bring our own snorkeling gear?

Thank you all for all your tips, we'll be there towards the end of the month, for the week of the 20th.

If you take a boat trip, they usually have snorkel gear. My husband likes to take his own. If you stay at the Guanahani, they give you snorkel equipment anytime you wish. Honestly, you really have to work to find a bad meal in SBH..everyone is really detailed here because there are so many great places to eat (especially compared to San Diego!!). I am sure you will find very good restaurants on SBH that are open during your week! Bon voyage!

 

[JEK]

Call ahead for the cruises as many boat owners take the precaution of moving to a safe harbor in September.

 

[ludwigbayer]

So after a few very stressful weeks we've finally arrived at our villa in St barths. It's hot, but darn is it gorgeous!

The villa is excellent, and we're about to go exploring since we're starved after ~17 hours of travel.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'm glad things aren't as bad as some feared. I did kill about 4 mosquitos so far, so I'm doing my part ☺

 

[andynap]

Excellent. Keep up the good work. Let us know about dinner.

 

[elgreaux]

I just have to chime in that this September was very quiet.. Last Sunday we wanted to go out to lunch and I'd say there were maybe four restaurants open on the entire island for lunch (luckily Coté Port was open with a nice 3-course 39-euro menu), others such as Esprit Jean-Claude and Meat & Potatoes were open only in the evening. Even Le Repaire was closed. Also a lot of the shops are shuttered... and there is renovation work going on at quite a few places. A first-time visitor might be surprised at how many things are closed...

 

[JEK]

We should bookmark this thread as a service for newbies who think post-Labor Day is the same on a tiny island in the Caribbean as it is in their favorite mainland getaway.

 

[Rosita]

I LOVE september ...lot of work to do

 

[ludwigbayer]

Looks like Rosita isn't the only one doing work. This morning a crew set up a giant crane smack in the center of our view of the bay

We walked around on Saturday, with few choices open for dinner. Ended up giving up looking for something fancy and just had a burger and a sandwich at Le Gustav'. Made dinner at the villa yesterday, and will be doing an in house chef tonight.

I hope the crane gets done fast, as that's the most annoying thing so far.

 

[elgreaux]

Looks like Rosita isn't the only one doing work. This morning a crew set up a giant crane smack in the center of our view of the bay

We walked around on Saturday, with few choices open for dinner. Ended up giving up looking for something fancy and just had a burger and a sandwich at Le Gustav'. Made dinner at the villa yesterday, and will be doing an in house chef tonight.

I hope the crane gets done fast, as that's the most annoying thing so far.

Two good restaurants that are open are both in Saline, one is called Meat and Potatoes, the other is Esprit Jean-Claude.... Meat and Potatoes lives up to its name and is very good for steak, lamb, duck etc with a choice of numerous kinds of potatoes and sauces.. Jean-Claude is one of the best and most interesting chefs in St Barth his lovely garden restaurant is very charming, perhaps more nouvelle cuisine in size and style than M&P, but very very good..

 

[GramChop]

Looks like Rosita isn't the only one doing work. This morning a crew set up a giant crane smack in the center of our view of the bay

We walked around on Saturday, with few choices open for dinner. Ended up giving up looking for something fancy and just had a burger and a sandwich at Le Gustav'. Made dinner at the villa yesterday, and will be doing an in house chef tonight.

I hope the crane gets done fast, as that's the most annoying thing so far.

Sometimes the view from Le Gustav is the best option on the island. The sunset show from that vantage point can be amazing!

I hope the crane gets moved quickly, too.

 

[ludwigbayer]

Two good restaurants that are open are both in Saline, one is called Meat and Potatoes, the other is Esprit Jean-Claude.... Meat and Potatoes lives up to its name and is very good for steak, lamb, duck etc with a choice of numerous kinds of potatoes and sauces.. Jean-Claude is one of the best and most interesting chefs in St Barth his lovely garden restaurant is very charming, perhaps more nouvelle cuisine in size and style than M&P, but very very good..

Thanks we'll check them out!

We've been quite happy with the Creperie that is open seemingly all day every day, and had dinner at Pipiri Palace yesterday, which was quite good. Their Fois Gras Maison was amazing, the creole foods they had was also quite good, nice atmosphere. Figured we'd try la reparie maybe, but m&p and esprit sound better.

Thanks again.