You don\u2019t need scuba tanks or a boat to explore the underwater world of St. Barths: all you need is a mask, a snorkel, and a little curiosity. The marine nature reserve protects several areas around the island, and you\u2019ll see that from the very first stroke of your fins. Here\u2019s where to take a dip\u2014and how to do it while respecting this little paradise.<\/p>\n
First, Colombier\u2014the place to go: its seagrass beds provide food for sea turtles that you\u2019re almost guaranteed to see\u2014but access must be earned by the coastal trail or by boat<\/a>. Next up is Shell Beach, at the foot of Gustavia: the rocky areas at either end are home to beautiful marine life, just a stone\u2019s throw from the terraces. The Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon, which is shallow and protected by its reef, is perfect for beginners and children; where you can peacefully encounter rays and turtles. On calm days, add the rocky headlands of Saline and Gouverneur to your itinerary to extend your beach day in the south.<\/p>\n The Saint-Barth\u00e9lemy Nature Reserve has been protecting marine life since the 1990s, and every visitor is a guardian of that life: look, but don\u2019t touch anything\u2014not coral, turtles, or starfish\u2014don\u2019t feed the fish, and opt for sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate, or better yet, a wetsuit. These simple actions are part of the spirit ecotourism as practiced by Maison Fleur de Lune<\/a>, which has been awarded the Cl\u00e9 Verte certification.<\/p>\nReserve Rules<\/h2>\n
Gathering Supplies and Getting Organized<\/h2>\n