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- The shell-covered shoreline: This is what gives the beach its name and the reason most people come. The surface is a thick layer of small shells ground down by the water, in cream, pink and gray, and you can sort through them with your hands while sitting at the water’s edge. Walk slowly. The shells shift and rattle underfoot.
- Swimming in the sheltered cove: The headlands on both sides break the swell, so the water is usually calm and clear, with a gentle entry that suits less confident swimmers. Expect a few small waves instead of surf. It is among the easier swims on the island.
- Snorkeling along the rocky edges: The rocks at either end of the cove hold small fish and a little coral growth. It is a casual snorkel, not a destination dive, so bring your own mask and fins if you have them and
- The shell-covered shoreline: This is what gives the beach its name and the reason most people come. The surface is a thick layer of small shells ground down by the water, in cream, pink and gray, and you can sort through them with your hands while sitting at the water’s edge. Walk slowly. The shells shift and rattle underfoot.
- Swimming in the sheltered cove: The headlands on both sides break the swell, so the water is usually calm and clear, with a gentle entry that suits less confident swimmers. Expect a few small waves instead of surf. It is among the easier swims on the island.
- Snorkeling along the rocky edges: The rocks at either end of the cove hold small fish and a little coral growth. It is a casual snorkel, not a destination dive, so bring your own mask and fins if you have them and keep to the calmer water near the rocks.
- The Fort Karl ruins: Above the beach stand the remains of a Swedish-era fort, one of the old defensive positions overlooking Gustavia’s harbor. There is little left beyond walls and foundations, but the climb gives you a view back over the cove and the town’s red roofs. It is a short, easy detour.
- An evening swim and sunset walk: As the day crowd leaves, the beach empties and the light softens over the water. Stay for a last dip, then walk back toward the harbor, where the waterfront restaurants and bars fill up for the evening. The path is short and close to town, so getting back at night is simple.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.