Forbes feature on billionaire superyacht activity in St. Barths over the holiday season, profiling owners and industry trends.

Superyacht moored on the island of St. MaartenGettyThe Caribbean is already buzzing as the annual superyacht showdown kicks into high gear. The world’s wealthiest players, along with a steady stream of celebrities and friends, are cruising into Gustavia, St. Maarten, Antigua and the surrounding islands, turning the region into a floating playground of excess. Many stayed through Christmas, hopping between islands during the day before closing out the holidays with the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks over Fort Oscar in St. Barts.They arrived in dramatic fashion: private jets, helicopters and massive superyachts gliding into port. Once the sun goes down, Gustavia Harbor becomes a red carpet of floating mansions, illuminated against the Caribbean night.Around St. Barts, most guests headed ashore by tender for invite-only parties, while others kept things low-key with private celebrations onboard. On land, ultra-pricey villas with renowned concierge teams handled everything from impossible dinner reservations to last-minute party access.Hotel Le Toiny Beach Club in St BarthHotel Le ToinyAccording to insiders, some of this year's best St Barts New Year's Eve parties were at Gyp Sea (celebrity DJ Calvin Harris headlined), Nikki Beach (celebrity DJ Diplo headlined), Le Ti St Barth, Eden Rock / Sand Bar, Bagatelle and La Guérite. Ferragamo and The Surf Lodge hosted a New Year's Eve celebration at Hotel Le Toiny with a performance by Blond:ish.Luxury travel advisors are also key in helping navigate St. Barts during the holidays, where relationships can make all the difference in knowing where you should be and who is the right person to get you in. Henley Vazquez, Co-Founder of Fora Travel, says, “For nightlife, knowing where to sit matters as much as where you go. At Bagatelle, inside/outside seating makes all the difference, and you want to be inside. Le Café next door is equally fun, and Sella (in the former Maya’s space) starts as a great dinner and quietly turns into a