St. Barts Island Overview
Duration: 1 1/4 hours
Tour Code: sbh-002
Explore the historic sites and scenic beauty of St. Barts during this brief, but picturesque orientation drive through the island.
Depart the pier for the drive through St. Barts. Your first stop will be at Le Col de la Tourmente, which overlooks St. Jean Beach, the island's most popular beach, and the airport. From here, you will continue on to Salines. At one time, St. Barts exported salt throughout the Caribbean from this industrial area. You will then drive through Petite Salines, the only place on the island where the ocean is not visible, before proceeding to Grand Fonds. From here, you will take in breathtaking views and photo opportunities overlooking the green valley and raging ocean breaking on the shoreline. It is very windy here, and the landscape is vastly different from the rest of the island. Only a few years ago, Grand Fond was the cattle center of St. Barts, and home to numerous cows, goats and sheep.
Next, you will drive along the coast and pass by the oceanfront house that once belonged to the famous Russian dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. You will then pass Petit-Cul de Sac, the small salt pond, and Grand Cul de Sac. This scenic locale features a large lagoon, many hotels and resorts, and hosts the 24-hour windsurfing regatta held in August each year. Your drive will continue to Marigot, famous for its wine shop, La Cave, which stocks more than 300,000 bottles of wine. From here, you will pass the flower-filled cemeteries of L'Orient, La Vigie and Coupe Gorge en route to St. Jean. You will then take the road to Corossol, and climb one last hill before returning to Gustavia.
Depending on traffic conditions, your taxi will either stop in the parking lot next to the pier, or in town at the main taxi station.
Please note: This excursion is an orientation drive of the island operated by a driver only and does not include a separate guide. The mini-bus taxi drivers speak varying degrees of English with a heavy French-West Indian accent.