Superyacht Guide to St Barths
Practical Superyacht Guide to St Barths, covering Port de Gustavia, owner travel, Caribbean charter season, VHF 12 and verified emergency guidance.
Caribbean , Saint Barthélemy · Nearest airport: St Barthélemy Airport
Last verified: July 4, 2026
Overview
St Barths is a high-profile Caribbean owner and charter destination centred on Gustavia, with strong seasonal demand, limited berthing and strict port/anchoring controls.
This guide focuses on Port de Gustavia, VHF, port rules and emergency notes. Captains should verify berth, mooring, clearance and anchoring details directly with the harbour master before arrival.
Captain notes
St Barths should be planned as a limited-capacity, high-demand owner and charter destination. Captains should confirm berth or anchorage arrangements, clearance, guest arrival, tender movement, security and event-period restrictions before arrival.
St-Barth harbour information says to call the harbour master’s office by VHF Channel 12 before any manoeuvres, that passing vessels are not allowed to manoeuvre at the quay and on the buoys between 17:00 and 07:00, and that maximum authorised speed in the port area is 3 knots.
Marinas and berthing
Port de Gustavia is the principal harbour. Published harbour-master information states that all yacht anchorages in the port of Gustavia are under the harbour master’s office, and that vessels should call on VHF Channel 12 before manoeuvring.
Berth and buoy availability is limited and should be checked directly with the harbour master before arrival.
Port authority
Port de Gustavia official information should be used for harbour rules, entry/exit formalities and contact details. The public harbour information states that vessels entering and leaving the port must use the access channel and keep to the port speed limit.
Customs and immigration
St Barths is a French overseas collectivity. Official St Barths information states that visitors must bring valid documents authorising entry to the territory. Yacht clearance and port formalities should be completed through the Port de Gustavia process and verified before arrival.
Emergency contacts
St Barths emergency numbers: UK travel advice lists 112 for ambulance, fire and police, or ambulance 15, fire 18 and police 17.
Yacht crews should confirm local emergency procedures, dock access and nearest medical support through the harbour master or yacht agent before relying on any listing.
Doctors, hospitals and medical support
Medical-facility details for St Barths have not yet been fully verified in this guide. Use 112 or the local emergency route in an emergency, and confirm non-emergency medical facilities with the harbour master, yacht agent or crew medical provider.
VHF and radio notes
St-Barth harbour information states that vessels should call the harbour master’s office by VHF Channel 12 before any manoeuvres. Distress at sea should use VHF 16 where appropriate.
Bunkering
Fuel and bunkering arrangements should be verified directly with Port de Gustavia, the harbour master or yacht agent before operational use. Availability and berth/fuel-dock suitability may be restricted by vessel size.
Provisioning
St Barths provisioning and guest logistics should be planned early because of seasonal pressure, island size, delivery access and berth/anchorage limits.
Crew notes
Crew logistics should account for limited island capacity, guest movements, tender operations, event periods, immigration and shore-access controls.
Refit and repair
St Barths is primarily an owner, charter and event destination rather than a refit centre. Technical work should generally be arranged through St Maarten, Antigua or other service hubs unless verified local support is available.
Security and safety
Manoeuvring restrictions, access-channel use, night restrictions, speed limits, guest transfers and tender movements should be verified with the harbour master before arrival.
Seasonal and weather notes
St Barths is especially busy during the Caribbean winter season and major events such as the St Barths Bucket. Hurricane-season planning and insurance rules should be checked separately.
Local rules
Harbour, anchoring, buoy, access-channel, customs and immigration rules should be verified directly through Port de Gustavia or the harbour master before operational use.
Sources and verification
Batch 3 source notes. Initial operational research updated from Port de Gustavia, St-Barth harbour information, St Barths customs/formality information and emergency sources.