# St Barts Weather - Complete Guide > Your comprehensive weather and travel guide for Saint-Barthelemy, French West Indies. ## Overview St Barts Weather is the definitive resource for weather information on Saint-Barthelemy (commonly known as St Barts or Saint Barth), a small Caribbean island that is an overseas collectivity of France. Located in the Lesser Antilles, St Barts is known for its beautiful beaches, luxury tourism, and excellent year-round weather. --- ## Weather & Climate ### Current Conditions The homepage (https://st-barts-weather.com/) displays: - Real-time temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit - Humidity levels - Wind speed and direction - UV index - Precipitation probability - "Feels like" temperature ### Climate Characteristics St Barts enjoys a tropical maritime climate characterized by: - **Year-round warmth**: Average temperatures between 25-30°C (77-86°F) - **Trade winds**: Consistent easterly winds that moderate temperatures - **Two seasons**: Dry season (December-May) and wet season (June-November) - **Minimal temperature variation**: Only 3-4°C difference between summer and winter ### Monthly Weather Patterns **January-April (Peak Dry Season)** - Temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F) - Rainfall: Low (50-80mm/month) - Humidity: 70-75% - Best for: Beach activities, sailing, outdoor dining **May-July (Transition)** - Temperature: 26-30°C (79-86°F) - Rainfall: Moderate (80-120mm/month) - Humidity: 75-80% - Sargassum season may begin **August-November (Wet/Hurricane Season)** - Temperature: 27-31°C (81-88°F) - Rainfall: Higher (120-180mm/month) - Humidity: 80-85% - Hurricane risk: Low but present - Many businesses close in September **December (Beginning of Dry Season)** - Temperature: 25-28°C (77-82°F) - Holiday season begins - Premium rates for accommodations --- ## Beaches Guide St Barts has over 20 beaches, each with unique characteristics: ### Northwest Coast **Colombier Beach** - Access: Hike only (20-30 minutes) or by boat - Character: Secluded, pristine - Facilities: None (bring supplies) - Swimming: Excellent, calm waters - Best for: Snorkeling, privacy **Flamands Beach** - Access: Easy road access - Character: Long white sand beach - Facilities: Hotels, restaurants nearby - Swimming: Good, can have waves - Best for: Families, beach walks ### North Coast **St Jean Beach** - Access: Central location, easy access - Character: Iconic beach near airport runway - Facilities: Restaurants, water sports - Swimming: Good, divided by Eden Rock - Best for: Plane spotting, socializing **Lorient Beach** - Access: Easy road access - Character: Local favorite, surf spot - Facilities: Basic - Swimming: Can have strong currents - Best for: Surfing, local atmosphere ### South Coast **Gouverneur Beach** - Access: Steep road descent - Character: Dramatic cliffs, pristine sand - Facilities: None - Swimming: Excellent - Best for: Privacy, natural beauty **Saline Beach** - Access: Short walk from parking - Character: Natural, undeveloped - Facilities: None - Swimming: Good, can have waves - Best for: Nature lovers, relaxation **Shell Beach (Grand Galet)** - Access: Walking distance from Gustavia - Character: Unique shell-covered shore - Facilities: Beach bar - Swimming: Calm, shallow - Best for: Sunset drinks, easy access ### East Coast **Grand Cul-de-Sac** - Access: Easy road access - Character: Lagoon, shallow waters - Facilities: Hotels, water sports - Swimming: Very calm, shallow - Best for: Windsurfing, kitesurfing, families with children **Toiny Beach** - Access: Road access - Character: Wild, dramatic waves - Facilities: Hotel nearby - Swimming: Dangerous (strong currents) - Best for: Watching waves, photography --- ## Natural Phenomena ### Hurricane Season (June 1 - November 30) - St Barts is in the hurricane belt but direct hits are rare - Most storms pass to the north - Notable hurricanes: Irma (2017) caused significant damage - Monitoring: National Hurricane Center forecasts - Preparation: Hotels have protocols, evacuation plans exist ### Sargassum Seaweed - Brown seaweed that washes ashore seasonally - Peak: April to August - Affected beaches vary by currents and winds - Eastern beaches more affected - Cleanup efforts are ongoing - Check current conditions before visiting specific beaches ### Trade Winds (Alizés) - Consistent easterly winds - Blow year-round, stronger December-July - Speed: Typically 15-25 km/h - Provide natural cooling - Important for sailing conditions - Eastern beaches windier than western ### Saharan Dust (Brume de Sable) - Dust from Sahara Desert reaches Caribbean - Peak: June to August - Effects: Hazy skies, reduced visibility - Health: May affect those with respiratory conditions - Usually clears within 2-3 days --- ## Sea Conditions ### Water Temperature - Year-round range: 26-29°C (79-84°F) - Warmest: August-October (29°C) - Coolest: February-March (26°C) - Always comfortable for swimming ### Swimming Safety - Most beaches safe for swimming - Watch for: Currents at Toiny, Washing Machine - Lifeguards: Not typically present - Jellyfish: Rare, occasional during certain conditions ### Marine Activities - **Snorkeling**: Best at Colombier, St Jean - **Diving**: Multiple dive sites around island - **Sailing**: Excellent conditions year-round - **Fishing**: Deep sea fishing available - **Kitesurfing**: Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon --- ## Practical Travel Information ### Getting There **By Air** - Airport: Gustaf III Airport (SBH) - "St Barth Airport" - Runway: 650m - one of world's shortest commercial runways - Direct flights from: St. Maarten (SXM), San Juan (SJU), Guadeloupe - Airlines: St Barth Commuter, Tradewind Aviation, Air Antilles - Flight time from St. Maarten: 10-15 minutes - Note: Small aircraft only (8-19 passengers) **By Boat** - Ferry from St. Maarten: 45-60 minutes - Operators: Voyager, Great Bay Express - Private yacht: Gustavia port - Day trips available ### Getting Around - Rental cars: Most common, required for beaches - Scooters: Popular for solo travelers - Taxis: Available but limited - Walking: Possible in Gustavia only - No public transportation ### Parking Key parking areas: - Gustavia: Public lot near port, street parking - St Jean: Near airport, beach access - Beaches: Most have small parking areas - Peak season: Arrive early for beach parking --- ## Neighborhoods ### Gustavia (Capital) - Character: Harbor town, shopping, dining - Notable: Duty-free shopping, restaurants - Beaches: Shell Beach walkable ### St Jean - Character: Commercial center - Notable: Airport, shopping center - Beaches: St Jean Beach ### Lorient - Character: Local village feel - Notable: Historic church, cemetery - Beaches: Lorient Beach (surfing) ### Grand Cul-de-Sac - Character: Luxury resorts - Notable: Water sports lagoon - Beaches: Calm, family-friendly ### Flamands - Character: Quiet, residential - Notable: Beautiful beach - Beaches: Flamands Beach ### Colombier - Character: Remote, peaceful - Notable: Hiking trails - Beaches: Colombier (hike access) ### Gouverneur - Character: Exclusive, private - Notable: Dramatic scenery - Beaches: Gouverneur Beach ### Saline - Character: Natural, undeveloped - Notable: Salt pond (historical) - Beaches: Saline Beach --- ## Events Calendar ### Major Annual Events **New Year's Eve/Day** - Fireworks in Gustavia harbor - Major celebration island-wide **Carnival (February/March)** - Parades, costumes, music - Caribbean celebration **St Barth Bucket Regatta (March)** - Superyacht sailing race - Prestigious nautical event **St Barth Film Festival (April)** - Caribbean cinema - Celebrity attendance **Bastille Day (July 14)** - French national holiday - Fireworks, celebrations **Feast of St Bartholomew (August 24)** - Patron saint celebration - Local traditions **New Year's Eve Regatta** - Sailing race - End of year celebration --- ## Local Tips ### Best Times to Visit - **High Season** (December-April): Best weather, highest prices - **Shoulder Season** (May, November): Good weather, better rates - **Low Season** (June-October): Some closures, hurricane risk, lowest prices ### What to Pack - Light, breathable clothing - Reef-safe sunscreen - Water shoes (for rocky beaches) - Light rain jacket - Mosquito repellent ### Dining - Reservations essential in high season - Dress code: Smart casual to dressy - French and international cuisine - Beach restaurants for lunch - Many restaurants close September ### Budget Considerations - St Barts is expensive (luxury destination) - Accommodations: €300-3000+/night - Meals: €50-200/person - Car rental: €60-150/day - Beach access: Free (all beaches public) --- ## Contact & Resources - **Website**: https://st-barts-weather.com - **Contact**: https://st-barts-weather.com/contact - **Privacy Policy**: https://st-barts-weather.com/confidentialite - **Legal Notice**: https://st-barts-weather.com/mentions-legales ## Data Sources Weather data is sourced from reliable meteorological services and updated regularly to provide accurate, real-time information for visitors and residents of Saint-Barthelemy.