Location
France
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Sand
Best season
December to June
About Plage de Saline
Anse de Grande Saline (Saline beach) is a long, undeveloped white-sand beach on the south coast of Saint-Barthélemy, behind the old salt ponds that give it its name. There are no hotels, bars or buildings on the beach: you reach it over a dune from sandy car parks, and the bay opens onto clear, turquoise water. It is the island's best-known spot for nude sunbathing, a tradition that goes back decades; nudity is most discreet at the far left and right ends of the beach, away from the main entrance, where regulars spread out. The crowd is mixed and relaxed, including straight couples and gay visitors, and topless sunbathing is common everywhere. The surf can be strong, with waves breaking hard on a steep shore, and there is no shade at all. Weekdays and early or late in the day are quietest; Gouverneur beach to the west is the other cove used for discreet nudity.
Getting there
Drive (a rental car or taxi is essential; a compact car is best on the steep, narrow roads) to Saline and park in one of the two sandy car parks, which fill quickly in high season. From there it is a short walk of a couple of hundred metres over a hot, sandy dune to the beach, then walk to either end for the nude areas. There is no public transport, no shade and no facilities on the beach.
What visitors say
Visitors consistently call Saline one of the most beautiful beaches on St Barth, wild and free of development, and the island's main spot for discreet nudity. Reported etiquette: go to the far ends, keep distance, cover up near families and the entrance, and never photograph others. Downsides are the lack of shade and facilities, the hot walk over the dune, rough surf on some days and crowded parking at peak times. Sources differ on which end is used by whom.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Saint-Barthélemy has no designated naturist beach; guides (2025) say full public nudity is technically not allowed on the island, though discreet nudity at the ends of Saline is a long-tolerated practice with no recent crackdown reported. Rules can be enforced if there are complaints. No official decree or signage was found.
Naturism at Plage de Saline sits under France's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 17.8881, -62.8202
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in France
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at Saline beach?
Not officially. Nude sunbathing at the far ends is a long-tolerated tradition, but guides say full nudity is technically not permitted on St Barth, so be discreet.
Where do nude sunbathers go?
To the far left and right ends of the beach, away from the main path in from the car parks.
Are there facilities?
No; no shade, toilets or bars on the beach. Bring water and an umbrella.
Is the sea calm?
Not always; waves can break hard and the shore drops off quickly.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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