Fishing
Anglers are fond of the waters around St. Barts. From March to July, they catch mahimahi; in September, wahoo. Atlantic bonito, barracuda, and marlin also turn up. Yannis Marine, Gustavia (tel. 590/29-89-12; www.yannismarine.com), charters a 50-foot Sunseeker Carmarque outfitted for deep-sea sport fishing. A half-day trip for nine guests costs 1,300€, which includes a captain, fuel, snacks, open bar, and fishing equipment. Yannis also offers boat rentals, snorkeling trips, and island excursions; sunset cruises (7-11 guests) cost 850€ to 900€.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is fast becoming one of the most popular sports here. Former champion Enguerrand Espinassou gives expert lessons at 7e Ciel of St. Barth Kiteschool, at the Ouanalao Dive center on Grand Cul-de-Sac (tel. 690/69-26-90), open daily from 8am to 5pm. Kitesurfing costs 300€ for a 3-hour lesson, 450€ for a 5-hour lesson, and 800€ for 10 hours. Reservations are recommended, especially in high season.
Sailing
Charter the beautiful Lone Fox, a wooden sailing yacht built in 1957, for a day of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the St. Barts coastline. You'll have a captain and crew on board to do all the heavy lifting. The maximum number of guests is eight; a full-day charter is $2,000 (tel. 690/33-27-91; www.lonefoxcharters.com).
Scuba Diving
Marine Service, quai du Yacht-Club, in Gustavia (tel. 590/27-70-34; www.marine-service.fr), is the island's most complete watersports facility. It operates from a one-story building at the edge of a marina on the opposite, quieter side of Gustavia's harbor. Catering to both beginners and advanced divers, the outfit is familiar with at least 20 unusual sites scattered throughout the protected offshore Réserve Marine de St-Barth. The most interesting include Pain de Sucre off Gustavia harbor and the remote Grouper, west of St. Barts, close to the uninhabited cay known as Île Forchue. The only relatively safe wreck dive, the rusting hulk of Kayali, a trawler that sank in deep waters in 1994, is recommended for experienced divers. A resort course, including five open-water dives, costs 280€. A "scuba review," for certified divers who are out of practice, also goes for 75€, while a one-tank dive for certified divers begins at 60€. Multidive packages are available.
Snorkeling
Hundreds of shallow areas right off beaches such as Anse des Cayes teem with colorful aquatic life. You can also test your luck at hundreds of points offshore. Marine Service, quai du Yacht-Club, Gustavia , runs daily snorkeling expeditions. Half- and full-day group excursions aboard a 13 or 14m (42- or 46-ft.) catamaran, including snacks, open bar, all equipment, and exploration of two separate snorkeling sites, costs from 72€ per person. They also rent snorkeling gear and can direct you to good snorkeling sites.
Surfing
Beach clubs rent out equipment for surfing St. Barts' main surfing beaches, including Anse des Cayes, Toiny, Miliou, and Lorient. Contact the Reefer Surf Club (tel. 590/27-67-63).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
