Exclusive Editor’s Tips:

St. Barts has no shortage of upscale cocktail bars and celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, but one spot that hasn’t lost its luster over the past 75 years is Le Select, in the heart of Gustavia. A popular place for locals to catch up after work or a day at the beach, the no-frills bar embodies the Caribbean’s laid-back feel. The menu is pure pub fare (think chicken wings and fried calamari), but the cheeseburgers are a crowd favorite — especially paired with an ice-cold Carib Lager or rum punch at one of the picnic tables on the shaded terrace.

The Instagram-famous shots of swimmers casually floating in jade-colored coves have glamorized one of the island’s most elusive features: les piscines naturelles. Shielded behind rocks and filled as each wave rolls in, the natural pools aren’t the easiest to reach — or find. You’ll want to enlist the help of Carole Pernelle, a hiking guide who can navigate the 30-minute coastal trek at Petit Cul-de-Sac on the eastern edge of the island (these pools are just for admiring from afar, though) or Grand Fond’s swimmable series of pools dubbed the “Washing Machine.” Since the path isn’t clearly defined, and urchins abound, sneakers or water shoes are a must.

Flamands Bay’s most talked-about resident may be Cheval Blanc St–Barth, and, with Michelin-starred French chef Jean Imbert behind the menu at fine-dining restaurant La Case, we certainly understand why. But it’s worth slipping off your sandals and walking further down the shore to the more tucked-away La Langouste, whose name should give you a hint at the house specialty. The Creole-accented menu is dominated by local spiny lobster, grilled fresh from the tank and served alongside a trio of Chef Michel Lefèvre’s signature sauces. Deemed the best lobster on the island by locals, the casual beachside restaurant is a go-to for lunch — and a welcome break from the haute hotspots.