"Plage très belle, sentier sec, snorkeling magique."
Expert on Anse de Colombier · 1 contributions
Reviewed by :
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Anse de Colombier is December to April. The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar, Avr
Carême — saison idéale
- ✅Mer translucide, snorkeling exceptionnel (tortues, raies, poissons multicolores)
- ✅Sentier d'accès sec, lumière dorée le matin
- ✅Plage rarement saturée même en haute saison (effort d'accès)
- ❌Sentier de 30 min sous le soleil — partez tôt (avant 10h) ou tard (après 15h)
- ❌Aucun service sur place — apportez TOUT (eau, snacks, parasol, masque)
- ❌Sentier parfois glissant si pluie récente
Mai, Juin
Intersaison
- ✅Plage totalement déserte en semaine
- ✅Mer encore très claire pour snorkeling
- ✅Sentier moins fréquenté
- ❌Premières averses tropicales possibles (sentier glissant)
- ❌Chaleur en hausse
Jui, Aoû, Sep, Oct, Nov
Hivernage
- ✅Mer chaude à 28 °C, plage souvent vide
- ✅Snorkeling excellent le matin tôt
- ✅Île confidentielle, sentier solitaire
- ❌Risque cyclonique majeur août-octobre
- ❌Pluies tropicales fréquentes (sentier dangereux quand humide)
- ❌Quelques bateaux d'excursion possibles
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Anse de Colombier across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 23° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 24° |
| Max | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 29° | 28° |
| Mer | 26° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° |
| Pluie | 60mm | 45mm | 45mm | 65mm | 85mm | 95mm | 105mm | 135mm | 165mm | 185mm | 130mm | 80mm |
| Soleil/j | 9h | 9.5h | 10h | 9.5h | 9h | 9h | 9h | 9h | 8.5h | 8h | 8.5h | 9h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
75
Fév
80
Mar
75
Avr
65
Mai
40
Jui
35
Jui
55
Aoû
45
Sep
15
Oct
20
Nov
50
Déc
75
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Anse de Colombier by month.
Jan
$1,512
Fév
$1,620
Mar
$1,404
Avr
$1,188
Mai
$864
Jui
$810
Jui
$1,026
Aoû
$1,080
Sep
$756
Oct
$810
Nov
$918
Déc
$1,728
Frequently asked questions
How to get to Anse de Colombier?+
Two options. On foot (the most adventurous): start from the Petite Anse car park (D210 road north, after Colombier village). Free parking. Follow the marked trail along the seaside for 30 minutes — easy level (light slope), but uneven at times (stone, dirt, sometimes roots). Bring: water (minimum 2 l/person), snacks, umbrella, mask-snorkel, walking shoes or sturdy flip-flops, sunscreen. Plan 4-5 hours on site to enjoy. Avoid the trail after recent rain (slippery) and midday (harsh heat, sun at zenith). By boat: several providers from Gustavia (Marine Service, Yannis Marine, BluBay) — half-day €60-90/person, full day with lunch and snorkelling €130-180. Ideal for combining with Fourchue islet or for people who cannot walk.
Is the trail to Colombier difficult?+
The trail is easy to moderate level — accessible to anyone in good physical condition. Distance: about 1.5 km. Duration: 30 minutes outbound, 30 minutes return. Slope: light (+50 m then -50 m on the route, short ascents and descents). Surface: dirt, stone, sometimes roots, never climbing or technical passage. Difficulties: heat (no shade, direct sun), sometimes uneven ground (walking shoes recommended rather than simple flip-flops), absence of water and service on the route. The trail offers magnificent panoramic views over the north coast, Fourchue islet and neighbouring islands. Not suitable: children under 5-7, people with reduced mobility, very unsporty people. Suitable: adults in good condition (even unsporty), teenagers, active seniors.
Why is snorkelling so good at Colombier?+
The Anse de Colombier is one of Saint Barth's best snorkelling spots for several reasons. (1) Crystalline and shallow water along the north rocks — frequent visibility of 15-25 metres. (2) Diversity of species: parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant major, damselfish, groupers, occasional barracudas, stingrays, sea turtles (especially green turtles, almost daily presence in the morning), sometimes juvenile lemon sharks (50-80 cm, harmless). (3) Varied seabeds: rocks (cave-dwelling fish), seagrass beds (turtles grazing), sand (rays). (4) Lightly frequented beach that preserves the ecosystem. (5) No strong current — snorkelling safety. Advice: explore along the rocks north of the beach (left side on arrival facing the sea), swimming 50-200 m from the shore. Low tide in the morning offers the best conditions. Bring your equipment (no rental).
Do I need a guide to go to Colombier?+
No, the trail is marked and well frequented in dry season — no guide needed. The start is clearly indicated from the Petite Anse car park (sign 'Anse de Colombier'). The trail lines the coast on the heights, impossible to get lost. On site, the beach is unique (no multiplicity of zones, no risk of confusion). For snorkelling, no guide is needed if you have basic experience — the area is secure and diversity is observed at the surface. If you want a guided experience: boat excursion from Gustavia with snorkelling accompaniment (€130-180/person, full day, guide informs about fauna). For children or beginners, the boat excursion is preferable to the trail.
What to see on the trail from Petite Anse to Colombier?+
The 30-minute trail offers one of the most beautiful panoramic walks in Saint Barth. Halfway, you discover: (1) Plunging view over Petite Anse (beach accessible only by sea, even more secret than Colombier), (2) Panorama over Fourchue islet (nature reserve visible 5 km offshore, accessible by boat excursion), (3) Distant views over Saint Martin (visible on clear days, 25 km north-west) and the Lesser Antilles, (4) North coast cliffs of Saint Barth, (5) Typical vegetation__: cacti, ficus, wild palms, hibiscus. Photo stops recommended halfway and at the Colombier arrival viewpoint. Magical golden light in late afternoon (4-5 pm) — but come back down before nightfall (unlit trail).
Our verdict
The Anse de Colombier is the most memorable beach experience in Saint Barth — a real secret jewel that deserves the walking effort. Devote a full day to Colombier (morning arrival on foot, swimming and snorkelling in the morning for best visibility, packed lunch picnic, afternoon nap on the sand, return in late afternoon). Bring EVERYTHING: water (minimum 2 l/person), snacks, umbrella (no natural shade), mask-snorkel for snorkelling, factor 50 sunscreen, walking shoes for the trail. Leave early (before 10 am for the low sun and cool trail) or late (after 3 pm for sunset — but come back down before 5:30 pm). Boat alternative for those who cannot walk: excursion from Gustavia (€60-90/person half-day).
Similar destinations
Abu Simbel
Best for : October to March
Akureyri
Best for : June to September for daylight, December to April for skiing
Amman
Best for : March to May and September to November
Angkor Wat
Best for : November to February (cool dry season)
Annecy
Best for : juin à septembre (été), décembre-mars (ski à proximité)
Anse Marcel
Best for : December to April