A St. Barth vacation revolves around its gorgeous white-sand beaches. Often the first decision of the day is which beach to enjoy. Pack a lunch and explore one of the quiet and more remote beaches or join all the activity at one of the livelier, like St. Jean. Perhaps you’ll decide to lunch at one of the feet-in-the-sand bistros and indulge in some people watching or water sports.

There are fourteen beaches on St. Barths, all blessed with gleaming white sand. Few are crowded, even in peak season. All are public and free. Nudism is ostensibly prohibited; topless is not unusual.

For beaches with hotels, restaurants, and water sports, Grand Cul de Sac fits the bill, as does St. Jean, which is actually two beaches divided by the Eden Rock promontory.

There are a smattering of hotels and restaurants at Flamands, a huge stretch of white sand fringed with lantier palms.

The village of Corossol verges on a lovely beach that serves the practical purpose of a fishing port.

The beaches at Marigot and Lorient are secluded and quiet, favored on Sundays by island families.

Petit Cul de Sac is secluded, and usually very quiet; Toiny is wild and beautiful, not for the faint hearted.

Gouverneur is serene; Saline is well worth the hike over the sand dune.

Shell Beach can be reached on foot from Gustavia; Public, pronounced "poobleek", near the commercial pier, is fine for a quick dip.

Hardest to get to is Colombier, reachable by boat from Gustavia or by a half- hour hike down a scenic path.