The best way to see St. Barth is at sea. Pat and I tried a St. Barth jet ski tour. Here’s what happened.
After having lunch with the President of St. Barth Tourism, Nils Dufau, we took his recommendation and decided to see the island from the sea. Pat and I had booked a 1 hour 30 minute St. Barth jet ski tour. We had the option of booking a private tour or a group tour. To save money we booked the group tour, also knowing that, let’s be honest, no one else would be doing it with us. We were correct, we arrived and Pat and I had the “group tour” all to ourselves. Our tour began in the heart of Gustavia, looped around the island, and ended back in Gustavia.
…try and get out on the water. Whether it’s via a catamaran, yacht, sailboat, or Jet Ski. If you truly want to experience the island and what it is all about, you need to get out on the water. – Nils Dufau, President of St. Barth Tourism
Group tours begin at 10:30AM every day of the week. We arrived at 10:15, checked-in, lathered ourselves in sunscreen, and put on our lifejackets. We were given a quick instruction on how to use the jet skis and were on our merry way. Before I continue, I want to preface my experience with this. I had only jet skied one other time and it was on a lake, so I honestly thought the ride would be very similar in nature. I obviously hadn’t thought it through. The ocean is not still like the lake, it’s wavy and rough, even on a calm day. As we immediately started riding out towards the water, I started to realize this. The experience was very bumpy for my standards. I later on found out, this was one of the calmest days they’ve had in months. Thank god or I would have been traumatized!
The St. Barth jet ski tour took you around the entire island and stopped at 4 – 5 stops and beaches along the way: Anse de Gouverneur, Anse de Grande Saline, Anse de L’Orient, and Baie de Saint-Jean. There was a lock and key compartment in the jet skis with a safe case for your phone so you could bring it with you for pictures. As you make your stops around the island, you get a chance to take pictures, jump in the water, and enjoy the view.
First stop: Anse de Gouverneur
I did not take a picture of our first stop at Anse de Gouverneur. It was Easter the day we did this and the beach was packed with people barbecuing and boats anchored everywhere. Pat and I jumped in the water for a little dip and hopped back on our jet skis. Little did I know when looking out at the beach, that my parents were actually there among the crowd that morning!
Second stop: Anse de Grande Saline
A picture on my jet ski at Anse de Grande Saline was in order. This is my favorite beach in all of St. Barth. There is no shade on it, unfortunately, but its white sand beaches, rugged beauty, and complete lack of hotels and restaurants on the beach make for an exotic escape. We had visited it the day before, but seeing it from the water let me see it from a completely different perspective. I hardly would’ve recognized it if it weren’t for its crystal, clear blue waters!
Third Stop: Anse de Lorient
Anse de Lorient is one of the beaches I am less familiar with. One side is super wavy and made for surfers, while the other is super calm and perfect for families and snorkeling. We never really spent time at this beach because it’s known for its windy waters and because of all the private villas on the beach. It feels a bit too crowded for me, if that word can even be used to describe St. Barth! By crowded I mean too lived in.
Fourth Stop: Baie de Saint Jean
We all know Baie de Saint Jean. People are always paddle boarding and jet skiing out here by the crazy party beach, Nikki beach. From the water you can watch the commuter planes fly in every now and then bringing in new people to the island. Again, viewing the island from the water just gives you a completely different perspective from what you’re used to. After all, you’re riding in one of the clearest most beautiful waters of the Caribbean.
Following our St. Barth jet ski tour, we turned in our jet skis and went to Le Répaire, one of our favorite lunch spots in Gustavia for lunch. Exploring the island on a jet ski was definitely something rare and active activity for us to do. I couldn’t feel my legs by the end of it! Maybe next time we’ll try the more calming Catamaran tour with a glass of wine in hand. Needless to say, there’s a water activity and excursion for everyone to explore the island of St. Barth from the sea.
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