general questions

[Guest]

I'm travelling to St Barth in four weeks and can hardly wait. We've made reservations for dinner three nights, but have left four open. What restaurants would you recommend that would be frequented by natives? Am I allowed to bring any beverages or food into St Barth ?(i've heard it's very expensive for everything since it must be imported) Is there good snorkeling available and where? If we were to Island hop for a day where should we go? <font color="green"> </font color>

 

[nickthedog]

Judi,Judi, Judi,you forgot to tell us what 3 reservations you made. As far as " native restaurants" you must try Andy's Hideaway as the native are always restless there.Pipiri Palace is also a good local hangout along with Le Rivage.The beverages I would leave home as the prices are cheaper than in the States & might impede your speedy progress thru Gate 10.Snorkeling at Gov. Beach left side along the wall is pretty good provided that you go out 300 400 yds. min.The only hop I would do is from my Villa to the beach
Nick

 

[Eric]

judi,
I wouldn't bother with bringing any food or drinks with you.
The grocery stores will have most everything you will need and IMHO the little money you might save by bringing your own items is not worth the trouble of lugging it around with you while traveling.
Regarding other retaurants to visit, I always try to plan my daily dining "must dos", but find it's more fun to just go with the flow & find out what's happening on the restaurant scene once I get there & then make my reservations while I'm there.
Unless you are going to be on SBH for more than a week, I wouldn't do the island hopping thing. There are very nice full & half day sailing trips that you can take that might serve your purpose & allow you to do some snorkeling also.
Hope I've been a little help.
Eric

 

[GayleR]

Eddy's, Piripiri Palace, La Gloriette are a few that come to mind. Andy? Other suggestions?

We usually bring coffee and tea with us, along with coffee filters. I don't think you can bring meat, fruit or veg, but assume all else would be OK. Wine and liquor are pretty cheap so I wouldn't bring those. The supermarkets are great and not that expensive for some items.

As for snorkeling, most people say the snorkeling isn't that great and we're not snorkelers, but we have done a day sail to Forchue (sp?) a little uninhabited island off the coast and it was lovely for the day (or even a half day). As for island hopping, we spend every precious minute on our beloved SBH. We have been to Anguilla (flat, boring but pretty beaches), SXM (in and out as fast as possible...blech), Saba (quaint but not worth the trip). Just my two cents worth.

Have a great trip.

 

[steve]

judi, if you've snorkeled on other islands in the caribbean you will be very disappointed in the snorkeling on St. Barth's. Go for the beaches, not the snorkeling. I brought my snorkeling gear with me and only used it once at Colombier beach.
Make reservations for the Sunday Brunch at Le Gaiac.
Steve

 

[Brendan]

snorkeling

Judi
I thought the snorkeling was decent, though I have not done it anywhere else. My wife and I went every day and found fish on every beach, though there was no colorful coral. The trip to forche (sp.) island is cool. Here is where we saw the fish on each beach:
Saline - make a right as you come over the sand dune to the beach and go to the end of the beach and swim out a little
Govenor - same thing, make a right and go to the rocks
Flamands - Right in front of Isle de France there are lots of fish
Margot - on the side where the boats are anchored, right around the boueys
Lorient - just go straight out, in front of the entrance to a big reef
St. Jean - didn't see a lot here, but didn't snorkle too much either
Grand Cul De Sac - saw lots of fish right in front of the hotel Guanhanni

Most of the time you only had to go about 20 yrds off shore.
Hope it helps

 

[Julie]

Judi, Add Au Port to the list of restaurants frequented by locals. Ask to sit on the balcony. Enjoy!