Saint-Barthélemy Nature Reserve

The nature reserve was created in 1996 and covers marine ground in five separate zones around Saint Barthelemy, taking in reef, sea grass beds and the waters around several of the offshore islets. Anchoring and fishing are restricted inside it. Turtles, rays and reef fish are what most visitors see, and the islets carry seabird colonies that are the reason some of the zones exist. Management sits with the collectivity, and the zones are marked on charts used by boat operators.

History

Founded in 1996, the reserve covers 1,200 hectares in five sectors: Gros Îlets and Pain de Sucre off Gustavia harbour, the waters round the islets Fourchue, Frégate and Île Toc Vers, and part of Colombier bay, all marked on nautical charts (Wikipedia, Nature Reserve of Saint Barthélemy).

The landscape

• The five zones - separate protected areas around the island.
• The sea grass beds - the ground turtles feed on.
• The offshore islets - the rocks and their seabird colonies.
• The reef - the coral inside the protected water.

When to go

December to April is the dry high season and conditions are best. Visibility varies with the swell. June to November is the hurricane season.

Good to know

Reef condition here has suffered from storms and bleaching. Access is through operators; most of the reserve cannot be reached from shore. Anchoring and fishing rules apply and are enforced.

Nearby

Fourchue Island is northwest, and Gustavia is south.

Key facts