Iles du Nord Medical: St Barth's Go-To for Medical Supplies & Home Care Equipment
A quietly essential Saint-Jean shop stocking the orthopedic gear, rental equipment, and home-care items you'd struggle to find anywhere else on the island.
Why Go
Most St Barth guides skip it, but if you sprain an ankle hiking Colombier, need crutches after a boat mishap, or arrive with a family member who requires medical oxygen or a wheelchair rental, this is the address locals give out. Tucked into the Zone Artisanale des Mangliers in Saint-Jean, Iles du Nord Medical has quietly kept the island's residents, second-homeowners, and long-stay visitors equipped since 2013.
The Experience
Don't expect a boutique atmosphere - this is a working medical supplier in the island's small artisanal zone, a short drive from the airport and Saint-Jean beach. The showroom carries orthopedic supports (braces, splints, compression stockings), mobility aids, home-hospitalization equipment, dietary and nutritional products, and they dispense medical oxygen for home use. Staff speak French primarily and are used to coordinating with the island's doctors, nurses, and the hospital in Gustavia; bring a prescription (ordonnance) when relevant and they'll sort the rest, including rentals for the length of your stay.
What to Try
Ask about short-term rentals if you're on-island with an injury or an elderly traveler - crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital-style beds are typically available without needing to buy outright. They also stock quality post-sun and post-sport recovery basics (compression sleeves, kinesio tape, orthopedic insoles) that outperform what you'll find at the standard pharmacies in Gustavia or Saint-Jean.
Insider Tip
Call ahead (05 90 27 80 85) before driving over, especially for specific rental items or medical oxygen - stock on a small island turns over fast, and they close at midday. If your French is shaky, have your hotel concierge or villa manager phone first; the team is far more responsive when the request is framed clearly in French, and they can often arrange delivery to your villa for bulkier items.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Les Mangliers, Zone Artisanale, Saint-Jean, 97133 Saint-Barthélemy - about 3 minutes from the airport. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00; closed weekends and midday. Phone: 05 90 27 80 85. Email: idn.medical@hotmail.fr. Payment: standard French cards accepted; bring your prescription and, if applicable, EU health insurance card for reimbursement paperwork. Parking is easy in the artisanal zone.
Pair It With
- Aéroport de Saint-Barthélemy / Rémy de Haenen Airport Guide — Just minutes away - convenient if you're picking up rentals right after landing or dropping them before departure.
- 6e Sens Massage Wellness Beauty Saint Barth Guide — Round out a recovery day: pick up compression or orthopedic support here, then book a therapeutic massage nearby in Saint-Jean.
- Absolute Hot Yoga (Gustavia) — For active travelers rehabbing a minor injury, pair supportive gear from Iles du Nord Medical with a gentle yoga session to ease back into movement.
- Abyss Restaurant Guide — A relaxed Saint-Jean lunch spot to decompress after handling the practical errand, keeping your whole outing in one neighborhood.
