Yachting

St Barths New Year

Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy

Gustavia · December · Subject to availability

Late December into early January — dates to be confirmed

The turn of the year in the harbour at Gustavia, where the Atlantic superyacht fleet gathers and the island is at capacity.

St Barths at New Year is the fixed point of the Caribbean winter. The fleet arrives through the second half of December, the harbour at Gustavia fills with vessels too large to berth and anchors them in the bay, and the island's small hotel stock and villa inventory is committed a year or more ahead. The appeal is the combination: a French island with genuinely good food, a harbour that assembles the Atlantic fleet, and beaches that remain empty at either end of the day despite the density. The practical constraints are absolute. The airport takes only small aircraft and closes at dusk, arrivals route through St Maarten by shuttle or helicopter, and nothing about the week can be arranged late.

Month: December
Recommended stay: 7–10 nights
Nearest airports: SBH · SXM
Typical clientele: Yacht owners and charterers, villa owners and long-standing seasonal residents, European and American families for whom the fortnight is a fixture, and their guests.

Why it matters

It is the single densest gathering of the Atlantic superyacht fleet in the year, and the harbour at Gustavia over those ten days is where a great deal of the yachting world's business and social life is conducted. For owners and charterers, presence at New Year is an established part of the season rather than an option.

How access is arranged

Berthing, villas and restaurant arrangements across the period are extremely constrained and are secured by introduction and subject to availability, ordinarily a year in advance. Scott & Vale coordinates charter, berthing, villa, staffing, provisioning and movement for the period.

Scott & Vale coordinates travel, accommodation, ground and air movement, security, dining and itinerary design around this occasion, and makes introductions to authorised hospitality providers where such programmes exist. The firm does not sell, allocate, resell or guarantee admission.

Hospitality and travel

Where to stay

Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France
Rosewood Le Guanahani
Hôtel Le Toiny
Eden Rock St Barths
Private villa rental, Gouverneur or Colombier

Properties are listed as editorial guidance. Scott & Vale holds no inventory and no claimed relationship with any property named here.

Arrival by air

SBH — Gustaf III, St Barthélemy Restricted to small aircraft with certified crews; closes at dusk and cannot take jets.
SXM — Princess Juliana, St Maarten The jet gateway; onward by shuttle aircraft, helicopter or fast ferry.

Helicopter. Rotations from St Maarten take twelve minutes and are the standard arrangement for parties arriving by jet, particularly after the airfield's dusk closure.

Dining

L'Isola
Bonito
Tamarin
Shellona
Le Toiny Beach Club

Reservations are requested on a member's behalf, subject to availability.

Suggested itinerary

01 Day One Arrival via St Maarten and transfer to the villa or aboard, with provisioning already in place.
02 Day Two The quieter beaches on the windward side, and dinner in Gustavia booked well in advance.
03 Day Three A day at sea toward the outlying cays, returning to the harbour in the evening.
04 Day Four New Year's Eve in the harbour, with tender movements arranged and staffing in place.
05 Day Five A quiet start to the year, with the island emptying gradually over the following week.

Scott & Vale support

Private Jet
Helicopter
Superyacht Charter
Yacht Charter
Private Villas
Luxury Hotels
Private Chef
Luxury Event Staffing

Enquiry

Plan this properly, and plan it early.

An enquiry reaches the team directly with the context of this entry attached. A member of the team will respond within the hour, wherever you are.

Frequently asked

How far ahead must the period be arranged?

A year, and often longer for the best villas and berths. Nothing about New Year on the island can be secured at short notice.

How is arrival handled?

By jet into St Maarten, then twelve minutes by helicopter or a short shuttle flight. The island's own airfield takes only small aircraft and closes at dusk.

Villa or vessel?

Both are workable. A villa gives more space and privacy; a vessel gives access to the outlying anchorages and removes the island's road congestion.

What does Scott & Vale arrange?

Charter, berthing, villa, staffing, private chef, provisioning, air movement and reservations across the period.